ATLANTA — This season has been particularly challenging for Ryan Day emotionally.
Only a short time ago, many prominent media figures were advocating for his dismissal as Ohio State’s head coach following the team’s fourth consecutive defeat to Michigan.
Day faced intense scrutiny and harassment from some fans, which even escalated to death threats directed at him and verbal abuse aimed at his wife and children.
The situation became so distressing that it garnered commentary from former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, who has persistently critiqued Day.
However, for the moment, things seem to have stabilized.
With three consecutive victories in the College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes have secured a spot in the championship match against Notre Dame, scheduled for Monday night at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
A victory over the Fighting Irish would likely silence his critics, but Day is not inclined to dwell on the thought of defeat.
“I remind my wife that we chose this path,” Day shared.
“It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. This sport can bring you down to your knees while also offering incredible experiences.
Not many get to experience this emotional rollercoaster, and it’s vital to navigate through the rough patches while savoring the joyous moments.”
Throughout his tenure, Day has enjoyed a lot of success.
With a record of 69-10 over his six-plus years as head coach following Urban Meyer’s departure, he has led the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff four times and the title match twice.
Day emphasized that both he and Notre Dame’s coach, Marcus Freeman, lead programs with exceptionally high expectations, where the pursuit of national championships is the goal.
For Ohio State, defeating Michigan holds a similar, if not greater, significance.
The fact that the Buckeyes could not end their losing streak against the Wolverines for a fourth consecutive year only ramped up the pressure on Day.
This marked the longest losing streak in the rivalry since the teams faced similar outcomes from 1988 to 1991 under John Cooper’s leadership.
Before this season’s game, Day made a striking remark, equating his feelings about losing to Michigan to the emotional burden of losing his father during childhood.
Speaking to a local television station, Day’s wife, Nina, highlighted the toll the recent loss to Michigan took on her husband.
“The weeks between that game and the Tennessee game were incredibly tough,” she said.
“I was quite worried about the impact on our players and our children. It just felt unfair. While Buckeye Nation is a remarkable fan base, every fan base has its share of individuals who take things too far.”
Nick Saban, the former Alabama coach who is now a prominent figure in college football commentary, voiced a similar sentiment.
“Ohio State fans have this obsessive fixation with Michigan that could probably benefit from some professional help,” Saban remarked on an ESPN show.
Moreover, Holtz resurfaced with his predictions, claiming Notre Dame would win during their regular-season matchup due to concerns about Ohio State’s physicality.
After Ohio State’s narrow victory on a late touchdown, Day took the occasion to publicly challenge Holtz’s negative judgments.
More recently, Holtz suggested on social media that if Notre Dame does not win the upcoming game, “it’s because we want to preserve Ryan Day’s job.”
He also forecasted a tight Notre Dame win, asserting, “Remember, we’re Notre Dame and they’re not!”
Buckeyes offensive lineman Donovan Jackson indicated that the constant pressure Day faces from both fans and media makes the national championship game deeply personal for him and his team.
“Yeah, we’d definitely like to secure this victory for him,” Jackson noted.
“He is fiercely competitive and desires to win more than anyone else. The treatment he and his family have received is outrageous, in our view.
We recognize the significance of these games, but the extent of what he goes through often leaves me baffled.”
