After the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 34-23 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff National Championship, head coach Ryan Day seemed just as elated as his players. Day earned that excitement and relief after a season filled with immense pressure, criticism, and, ultimately, a big win — leaving critics silent.
Rich Eisen on Ryan Day’s Win
Ohio State’s season had seemed to be on shaky ground after the team lost to the Michigan Wolverines — a fourth consecutive loss to their arch-rival in as many seasons.
Many fans and media began questioning Day’s future with the team despite the coach only losing 10 games in six seasons. But after hoisting the National Championship Trophy, Day has quieted those critics.
With the hard-fought win, even Michigan alum Rich Eisen came forward to lay praise on Day and his Buckeyes, saying, “Every time they took the field in the College Football Playoff, it was obvious they were the better team.”
After the title win, Day talked about the intense backlash he and his coaching staff faced after the Michigan loss.
“When you sign up for this job, that’s what you sign up for. And you gotta be strong enough to withstand those storms,” Day said.
“To come out the back end, and now it’s an even better story. Nothing’s guaranteed, but I always know that in the back of my mind, felt that the people of Ohio in all the Buckeye Nation, you know, after going through difficult times and seeing a team and a bunch of coaches go through difficult times to achieve their goal it would mean even more, and I hope they’re all proud of what we’ve done.”
In light of Day’s humble comments, Eisen didn’t hold back on critics, saying, “I hope they are all proud of what he’s done. By the way, I didn’t see the oxygen mask because he was taking such a high road there he might have needed an oxygen tank to help him.
“He could have absolutely spiked the football on every single leopard face-eating member of Buckeye Nation that wanted his a** fired a month and a half ago. … In all seriousness, Ryan Day could have been like, ‘How’d you like that?’ But he’s right; it is a better story at the end. They have won it all.”
MORE: Jeremiah Smith Claps Back at Notre Dame Fan After Ohio State’s National Championship Win
The win was Ohio State’s ninth national title since the team’s inception in 1890 and their first championship win since 2014.
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