A Special Person Was on Ryan Day’s Mind During Ohio State’s National Championship Season: Buckeye Breakfast
In the world of college football, the journey to the top of the mountain is never easy. For programs like Ohio State, success is expected, and the pursuit of a national championship is an ongoing goal every season. While the focus is often on the players, coaches, and the game itself, there are countless behind-the-scenes moments that shape the path to victory. For Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, the road to the Buckeyes’ most recent national championship was filled with challenges, sacrifices, and moments of inspiration. One of the most significant influences during that season came from a special person who was always in Ryan Day’s thoughts as he guided the team through a year that would ultimately end in triumph.
That person was not a coach or a player on the roster, but someone who had been an integral part of Ryan Day’s life and career—someone whose memory and influence shaped his leadership style and his approach to guiding the Buckeyes toward greatness. The impact of this special person during Ohio State’s national championship season serves as a reminder that the journey to the top is about more than just the X’s and O’s. It’s about family, mentorship, and the unwavering support of those who have shaped us.
In this edition of Buckeye Breakfast, we take a deeper look at who this special person was, how their memory influenced Ryan Day’s coaching, and how their presence—though absent—played a pivotal role in Ohio State’s championship run.
The Person Who Left a Lasting Legacy
To truly understand the significance of this special person in Ryan Day’s life, we need to look at his past and the people who shaped him both as a man and a coach. Ryan Day, known for his calm demeanor, strategic mind, and leadership abilities, has always placed a premium on building relationships with those around him. He has often credited much of his success to the guidance he received from mentors and family members along the way.
The special person in question was Ryan Day’s late father, Raymond Day.
Raymond Day, who was an influential figure in Ryan’s life, passed away before Ryan’s tenure as Ohio State’s head coach. Despite not being present physically, Raymond’s impact on Ryan’s development as a leader and coach could be felt throughout the 2019 season when Ohio State was on its way to the College Football Playoff National Championship. The memory of Raymond Day’s wisdom, values, and encouragement was a driving force behind Ryan Day’s steady leadership.
Raymond was not only a father to Ryan but also a mentor who imparted life lessons that would go on to shape Ryan’s approach to coaching. The bond between father and son was strong, and Raymond’s legacy lived on in his son’s work ethic, determination, and compassionate leadership. These qualities would come to define Ryan’s coaching style and approach to his role at Ohio State.
A Father’s Influence on Leadership
Ryan Day has often spoken about the lessons he learned from his father, who was a coach in his own right. Raymond Day had a wealth of experience in athletics, particularly in football. Although he never coached at the college level, Raymond’s influence on Ryan was profound, instilling in him the importance of hard work, discipline, and humility. The values his father passed on to him were instrumental in Ryan’s approach to leading the Ohio State football team.
One of the key principles Raymond Day emphasized to Ryan was the importance of putting others before oneself. This notion of selflessness is one of the core tenets of Ryan Day’s leadership style. He believes in fostering a team-oriented environment where every player, coach, and staff member plays a crucial role in the team’s success. Ryan Day’s approach is rooted in creating a culture where every individual is valued, and every action, no matter how small, contributes to the larger goal of team success.
This mindset would be put to the test during Ohio State’s national championship season. As head coach, Ryan Day faced immense pressure to lead one of the most storied programs in college football back to the pinnacle of success. The Buckeyes were stacked with talent, led by players like Justin Fields, Chase Young, and JK Dobbins, and the expectations were high. Yet, even with all the talent and promise, Ryan Day remained focused on the bigger picture—helping his players grow as individuals while pursuing a national title.
Throughout the season, Ryan Day often credited his father’s teachings as guiding principles when making tough decisions. Whether it was during moments of adversity on the field or when dealing with internal team dynamics, Raymond’s wisdom stayed with Ryan. He knew that leading Ohio State required not just focusing on wins and losses but also building a team with a strong character, one that embodied the values his father had instilled in him.
Finding Strength in Adversity
Every championship run has its ups and downs, and Ohio State’s journey to the College Football Playoff National Championship was no exception. The Buckeyes faced numerous challenges throughout the season, including injuries, tough matchups, and high-stakes games. In these moments of adversity, Ryan Day turned to the lessons his father had taught him about resilience, perseverance, and the power of a positive mindset.
During the course of the season, one of the most memorable moments came when Ryan Day was asked about his ability to stay composed in the face of pressure. His response was a reflection of the lessons learned from Raymond. Ryan talked about the importance of staying calm under pressure and trusting in the process, even when things don’t go as planned. He mentioned that his father had always told him, “When things get tough, that’s when you find out what you’re made of. You have to keep fighting, no matter the odds.”
Those words resonated deeply with Ryan, and he made sure to instill that mentality in his team. The Buckeyes would go on to play some of their best football when facing tough situations, fueled by the belief that they could overcome any obstacle. Whether it was battling through a close game against Michigan or handling the intensity of the College Football Playoff, Ohio State’s resilience throughout the season can be traced back to the values Ryan Day carried with him from his father.
The Memory of Raymond Day on the Sidelines
Though Raymond Day was not physically present on the sidelines for the National Championship game, his presence was felt throughout the entire season. Ryan Day often looked to the stands, as though searching for a sign of his father’s approval and guidance. In interviews, Ryan has spoken about how he felt his father’s spirit beside him, especially during critical moments in the season.
The National Championship game against Clemson was one of those moments. Ohio State was on the cusp of history, playing in a game that would determine whether they could claim their first national title since the 2014 season. As Ryan Day stood on the sideline, calling plays and motivating his players, he couldn’t help but think about how proud his father would have been of the work they had put in. That thought gave him strength and clarity in a game that was filled with intensity and emotion.
Ryan Day also made sure that his team understood the significance of their journey, not just as a football team but as a family. He often spoke about how his father’s legacy was something that would live on in each and every player, as they were part of something bigger than themselves. The lessons of teamwork, perseverance, and selflessness that Raymond Day had taught Ryan were now being passed down to the next generation of Buckeyes.
Ryan Day’s Commitment to the Program
The influence of his father continued to shape Ryan Day’s commitment to Ohio State and the direction he wanted to take the program. In a conversation following the conclusion of the season, Ryan emphasized the importance of building a program that would be able to sustain success year after year. He talked about how much of that vision was inspired by the lessons his father taught him about long-term success and doing things the right way.
For Ryan Day, the pursuit of a national championship is not just about winning a single title but about establishing a program that will continue to compete for championships year in and year out. The success of the 2019 season was not just a testament to the talent on the field but to the culture that Ryan Day had worked tirelessly to build, a culture rooted in the values his father had instilled in him.
Looking forward, Ryan Day has set his sights on maintaining Ohio State’s place among college football’s elite programs, and he is committed to doing so in a way that honors the memory of Raymond Day. His father’s influence will continue to be a guiding force as Ryan Day navigates the challenges of being a head coach at one of the most prestigious programs in college football.