In front of a huge crowd at Ohio Stadium, the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrated their 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship victory. The day, however, wasn’t just about celebrating the team’s achievements — it also spotlighted head coach Ryan Day’s pivotal role in guiding the program through a season filled with challenges.
Ohio State Celebrates Their Championship Amid Ryan Day’s Developments
The national title was monumental for the Buckeyes, marking their first title since 2014 and Day’s first as the head coach. While fans rejoiced in the victory, Ohio State leadership focused on securing Day’s future with the program.
Amid speculation about his potential move to the NFL, it was reported that the Buckeyes are working on a contract extension to keep Day at the helm for years to come.
Ohio State’s championship journey ended with a dominating 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the title game. Weeks earlier, though, the Buckeyes suffered a narrow 13-10 loss to archrival Michigan, which sparked intense backlash on Day. The defeat was Ohio State’s fourth consecutive to the Wolverines.
Despite the adversity, Day rallied his team and led them on an extraordinary College Football Playoff run. Entering the 12-team playoff as the No. 8 seed, the Buckeyes faced formidable opponents, including Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas.
Over the four-game stretch, including the national championship game, Ohio State won by an average margin of 17.5 points and trailed for just six total minutes.
This playoff performance not only redeemed the team’s season but also silenced critics who doubted Day’s ability to win on the biggest stage. The victory marked Ohio State’s ninth national championship, solidifying its legacy as one of the most successful programs in college football history.
Securing Day’s Long-Term Commitment
As Ohio State celebrated its championship, attention turned to Day’s future with the program.
Athletic Director Ross Bjork emphasized the university’s commitment to keeping Day in Columbus, calling him “the Buckeye coach for years to come.” Ohio State President Ted Carter echoed this sentiment, confirming that the school is actively working on a new contract extension for Day.
“We’re working on it. We don’t have any announcements yet, but we have intent. I know Ryan wants to stay here, so we’re working the details,” Carter stated.
Day’s current contract, which runs through 2028, paid him $10.02 million in 2024. Additionally, he earned a $1 million bonus for leading the Buckeyes to the national title, a club only a few active coaches, including Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Georgia’s Kirby Smart, can claim. A potential extension for Day could make him the highest-paid coach in the nation.
The championship celebration was filled with memorable moments, including lighthearted remarks from players like star defensive end Jack Sawyer.
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He joked about returning for a fifth season despite being out of eligibility, showing that Day has successfully built a championship-caliber program for which players want to play.
However, not all the news was celebratory. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, a key figure in Ohio State’s dominant defense, announced his departure to Big Ten rival Penn State.
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