Ex-Buckeye Kyle McCord Sets the Record Straight Regarding Ohio State HC Ryan Day a Year After Transferring
A year after leaving Ohio State and transferring to another powerhouse college football program, former Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord has taken the opportunity to set the record straight about his relationship with Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day. As one of the most talked-about transfers in recent college football history, McCord’s decision to leave Ohio State, after starting in several high-profile games for the Buckeyes, raised eyebrows and sparked a flurry of speculation regarding his relationship with Day and the program.
However, in a candid interview, McCord opened up about the realities of his time at Ohio State, the factors behind his transfer, and his ongoing respect and admiration for Ryan Day. Far from the friction-filled departure that some may have imagined, McCord’s perspective paints a more nuanced picture of his experience in Columbus. The 2025 season marks a full year since McCord’s transfer to another elite college football program, and now, with some distance between him and his Ohio State days, McCord is ready to share his thoughts.
The Decision to Transfer
Kyle McCord arrived at Ohio State as one of the most highly touted quarterbacks in the country, ranked as a five-star recruit coming out of St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia. The expectations placed upon him were immense, given Ohio State’s tradition of developing top-tier quarterbacks and their penchant for producing NFL-ready talent. McCord sat behind Justin Fields during his first year at Ohio State and subsequently had the chance to show his talents when C.J. Stroud took over the starting role for the Buckeyes in 2021.
Despite a crowded quarterback room, McCord got his opportunities during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, especially as he rotated with other quarterbacks and started in a few games during the regular season. By the time 2025 rolled around, McCord made the decision to enter the transfer portal, a move that shocked many fans but ultimately allowed him to take his talents elsewhere and pursue a starting role with another top-tier program.
While McCord’s departure from Ohio State led to much speculation about possible friction with Ryan Day, the quarterback now reflects on his time at Ohio State with a greater sense of clarity.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without Coach Day,” McCord remarked. “People have a tendency to jump to conclusions about what they see from the outside, but my time at Ohio State was nothing but a positive learning experience. Coach Day helped me grow both as a player and as a person. Sometimes, decisions come down to timing and opportunity, and I felt that it was time for me to make a change. But that doesn’t take away from what I learned under Coach Day, and I still carry those lessons with me.”
McCord’s comments refute the notion that his departure was linked to personal conflicts with Ryan Day or frustrations with the quarterback competition. In fact, McCord acknowledged the fierce competition that is part of the culture at Ohio State, a program that regularly recruits some of the nation’s best talent.
Ryan Day’s Influence on McCord’s Development
Ryan Day’s coaching style is often lauded for its offensive innovation and quarterback development. Throughout his tenure as head coach, Day has worked with a number of quarterbacks who have gone on to find success at the next level, including Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud. McCord’s path, however, was unique, as he had to navigate his way through a highly competitive quarterback room, learning from both Day’s coaching and the veteran quarterbacks in front of him.
“I came to Ohio State to be the best, and Coach Day pushed me every day to get there,” McCord said. “I think that’s why Ohio State is so successful: they challenge you to be great. We weren’t just going through the motions at practice; every day was about competing, whether it was in the film room, on the practice field, or during games. Coach Day was a big part of that, always giving me the feedback I needed, whether it was positive or constructive.”
McCord, who started several games in 2024, had a mixed season that showcased his potential but also exposed some of the growing pains that come with being a young quarterback in a major conference. Despite his flashes of brilliance, McCord was unable to fully seize the starting role with the Buckeyes, which may have contributed to his decision to transfer. Nevertheless, McCord is quick to point out that Ryan Day’s coaching philosophy played a significant role in shaping him as a player.
“Coach Day’s ability to see the game at a high level is something I really appreciate. He has a way of making complex things seem simple, and that was key to my development,” McCord explained. “Even though I didn’t start every game, I never felt like I was overlooked. He pushed me, and he wanted me to succeed. When I made mistakes, he was the first to point them out in a way that helped me learn, not just criticize. He has a way of making you better, no matter what role you’re in.”
Addressing the Transfer Drama
One of the most common questions surrounding McCord’s transfer was whether there had been any bad blood between him and Ryan Day. The media buzz surrounding his departure painted a picture of a quarterback who had been pushed out or frustrated with his lack of playing time. However, McCord is keen to clear up these misconceptions.
“There was never a falling out between Coach Day and me,” McCord stated emphatically. “The people who want to make stories out of nothing don’t know the full picture. This was a decision I made after a lot of thought and discussions with my family and Coach Day. At the end of the day, I wanted to have the opportunity to be a starting quarterback at a program where I felt like I could lead and grow, and that’s why I decided to transfer. Coach Day understood that, and he was supportive in my decision.”
While McCord admits that the competition for the starting job at Ohio State was intense, he stresses that it was ultimately a matter of timing and finding the right fit for his final years of college football.
“Ohio State is an elite program, and Coach Day is one of the best in the business,” McCord added. “Sometimes, it’s just about finding a situation where you can make the most impact. That’s what I was looking for, and I found that with my new team. But I’ll always be grateful for what I learned at Ohio State and for the role Coach Day played in my development.”
Looking Forward: The Future of McCord and Day
As McCord begins his next chapter at his new school, the quarterback reflects on his future with optimism and ambition. He is now fully focused on proving himself as a starting quarterback and achieving the ultimate goal: leading his new team to a national championship.
At the same time, he acknowledges that his time at Ohio State, under Ryan Day’s guidance, prepared him for the challenges ahead. He knows that the lessons learned from his experiences in Columbus, from handling adversity to improving his game, will stay with him throughout his career.
Looking forward, McCord’s words reflect a strong mutual respect between him and Ryan Day. “I’ll always respect Coach Day, and I know I wouldn’t have had the growth I had without him,” McCord said. “I’ll never forget the lessons I learned from him, and I’ll always root for Ohio State.”
As for Ryan Day, while he has moved forward with the current roster, it’s clear that he, too, holds no ill will towards McCord’s decision to transfer. Day has always been supportive of his players’ futures, and McCord is no exception.
“Kyle is a great kid and a talented quarterback,” Day remarked earlier in the offseason. “We wish him nothing but the best in his career. Our relationship is one of mutual respect, and I’m proud of the growth I saw in him as both a player and a person during his time here. I’m excited to see where he goes from here.”
A year after his transfer from Ohio State, Kyle McCord has set the record straight about his relationship with Ryan Day, revealing that there was no animosity or fallout. Instead, McCord speaks highly of his time at Ohio State and the invaluable coaching he received from Day. The decision to leave was based on a desire for new opportunities, not dissatisfaction with Day or the program.
As McCord continues his college football journey, he carries with him the lessons learned at Ohio State, and he is determined to make the most of his remaining years in college football. Similarly, Ryan Day remains a mentor and a figure McCord respects deeply. The transfer, which seemed like a dramatic shift at the time, now appears to be a well-thought-out decision for both McCord and his former coach. In the end, both have their eyes set on future success—McCord in his pursuit of a starting role elsewhere, and Day in his ongoing quest to lead Ohio State to a national title.