In the age of billion-dollar TV contracts, unprecedented NIL deals, and coaching salaries that rival CEOs, loyalty in college football is becoming harder to find. So, when Ryan Day—the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes—turned down not one, but two massive offers reportedly worth $11.4 million annually from the University of North Carolina and the University of Tennessee, the college football world didn’t just take notice. It erupted.
Day’s decision to stay put in Columbus wasn’t just a financial statement—it was an emotional and philosophical one. In an industry where the grass often seems greener on the other side (and much more lucrative), Ryan Day’s refusal to chase a paycheck has sent shockwaves across the NCAA landscape. His loyalty is more than a headline—it’s a rare badge of integrity that may very well define his legacy.
The Offers: $11.4 Million and a Blank Check Mentality
According to multiple sources close to both programs, North Carolina and Tennessee were aggressively pursuing Ryan Day in the weeks following spring football. UNC, still recovering from an underwhelming season and eager to capitalize on its fertile recruiting grounds, was ready to make a bold investment in leadership. Meanwhile, Tennessee—though armed with a rising national profile and considerable NIL backing—was reportedly frustrated with postseason stagnation under current leadership and saw Day as the ticket to SEC contention.
Both schools pitched Day a staggering $11.4 million per year salary—eclipsing the current highest-paid coach in the country, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer. Tennessee’s deal also allegedly included unlimited access to NIL resources, a private plane, and full control over football operations, including the power to select his athletic director. North Carolina wasn’t far behind, offering similar perks and the keys to Chapel Hill’s expanding football facility empire.
Yet, Day’s answer was simple: “No, thank you.”
Why Day Said No
Ryan Day isn’t blind to money. As Ohio State’s head coach since 2019, he currently earns approximately $9.5 million per year—a figure that puts him among the top earners in the game. But for Day, coaching is clearly not just about the bank account.
Sources inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center revealed that Day felt a strong “unfinished business” pull at Ohio State. After several near-miss seasons—including painful losses to Michigan and the infamous 2023 CFP semifinal heartbreaker against Georgia—Day has become consumed with not just winning, but winning at Ohio State.
“He bleeds scarlet and gray,” said one staffer. “There’s a deep-rooted sense of responsibility he feels—not just to win games, but to uphold the legacy of Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer. Leaving for a check, no matter how big, would have betrayed that.”
Day’s family is also deeply entrenched in the Columbus community. His children attend local schools, and his wife Nina is active in mental health advocacy throughout the state. The Day Family Foundation has raised millions in support of youth mental health initiatives in Ohio. Uprooting that for an outsider’s paycheck was never truly on the table.
Buckeye Nation Reacts: From Nerves to Nostalgia
When news of the offers leaked, there was initial anxiety within Buckeye Nation. With multiple head coaches changing schools in recent years—often lured by nine-figure contracts—fans feared that Day, too, might be seduced by Southern charm and SEC dollars.
Instead, his loyalty has only solidified his standing among Ohio State faithful.
“Ryan Day just became immortal in the eyes of Buckeye fans,” one longtime supporter posted on social media. “You can’t put a price on loyalty in 2025.”
Even former players chimed in. C.J. Stroud, now thriving in the NFL, posted a simple “Day 1. Loyalty over luxury. #GoBucks” to his millions of followers.
Legendary Ohio State coach Jim Tressel also reportedly reached out to Day, praising his decision and calling it “a moment the university will remember for decades.”
Reframing the Narrative
Let’s not forget, Day has faced his fair share of criticism. Despite an overall record of 56–8 and multiple CFP appearances, he’s been constantly scrutinized for his record against Michigan, having lost three straight to the Wolverines. For some vocal factions of the fanbase, those shortcomings have cast a shadow over his otherwise sterling tenure.
But this moment—turning down more money than any Ohio State coach has ever been offered elsewhere—reshapes the narrative.
He’s no longer just the coach who hasn’t yet won a national title. He’s the coach who stayed.
In an era where Brian Kelly ditched Notre Dame mid-season for LSU and Lincoln Riley bolted Oklahoma for the glitz of USC, Day’s decision to stand pat is practically revolutionary. It echoes of another Buckeye legend: Archie Griffin, who famously turned down the NFL to finish what he started at Ohio State.
Implications for Ohio State and the College Football Landscape
Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork acted swiftly in response to the offers. Within 48 hours of Day’s decision, reports emerged that the university would be restructuring Day’s deal to include further bonuses tied to College Football Playoff success, additional investments in NIL infrastructure, and long-term assurances around staff retention.
“This moment isn’t just about retaining Ryan Day,” Bjork said in a press conference. “It’s about reaffirming Ohio State’s commitment to building a legacy, not just a brand.”
The decision may also trigger a ripple effect throughout college football. Coaching contracts are likely to spike again, and ADs across the country may feel pressure to match the ambition of North Carolina and Tennessee—schools not traditionally in the top tier of coaching salaries.
Ironically, by saying no, Ryan Day may have done more to raise the coaching market than he would have by accepting either offer.
What This Means for North Carolina and Tennessee
For North Carolina and Tennessee, Day’s refusal stings—not just because of the rejection, but because of what it implies.
UNC now returns to a head coaching search that feels increasingly desperate. Their fallback options—such as Wake Forest’s Dave Clawson or Baylor’s Dave Aranda—carry nowhere near the cachet or recruiting power of Ryan Day.
Tennessee, meanwhile, has once again struck out on its attempt to land a “splash” hire. Though current head coach Josh Heupel has maintained stability, the overtures to Day reveal a school still hungry for elite status. Whether Heupel survives this offseason now becomes an open question, especially as the fanbase reacts to being publicly rebuffed.
Looking Ahead: Legacy on the Line in Columbus
Ryan Day has staked his future—and legacy—on one thing: winning at Ohio State.
He’s passed on record money, SEC power, and a blank check of resources to do it his way in Columbus. The only thing left to cement his legacy is a national championship. With five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair entering the program, a top-three recruiting class coming in, and Ohio State’s NIL operation humming under the collective “THE Foundation,” the runway is clear.
“Ryan Day just wrote the prologue to a new chapter,” said ESPN analyst Desmond Howard, a known Michigan loyalist. “Now let’s see if he can finish it with a title.”
In a college football world of mega-deals and rapid exits, Ryan Day’s decision to turn down $11.4 million per year—twice—isn’t just surprising. It’s inspiring.
Whether or not he hoists a national championship trophy remains to be seen. But one thing is already clear: in 2025, when loyalty seemed like a dying virtue in college athletics, Ryan Day proved it still matters.
Not everything has a price.
Not everyone is for sale.
And sometimes, the soul of a program really does come before the size of a paycheck.
