50 Facts About Ryan Day

Early Life and Education

Ryan Day's journey began in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he was born on March 12, 1979. His early years were marked by a passion for football and a strong family influence.

1. Ryan Day was born on March 12, 1979, in Manchester, New Hampshire, USA.
2. He grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire, showing an early interest in football.
3. Day attended Manchester Central High School, where he played as a quarterback.
4. He was named the state's Gatorade Player of the Year during his senior season.
5. Day played college football at the University of New Hampshire from 1998 to 2001.
6. During his college career, he set four career records, including completion percentage and touchdowns.
7. He holds a degree in business administration from the University of New Hampshire.
8. Day earned a master’s in administrative studies from Boston College in 2004.

Coaching Beginnings

Ryan Day's coaching career started shortly after his playing days ended. His early roles laid the foundation for his future success.

9. Day began his coaching career in 2002 at the University of New Hampshire as a tight ends coach.
10. He worked as a graduate assistant at Boston College from 2003 to 2004.
11. In 2005, he served as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida.
12. Day coached wide receivers at Temple University in 2006.
13. He returned to Boston College, coaching wide receivers from 2007 to 2011.
14. In 2012, Day was the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Temple University.
15. He became the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Boston College from 2013 to 2014.

NFL Experience

Day's coaching journey took him to the NFL, where he gained valuable experience working with professional athletes.

16. On January 22, 2015, Day was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.
17. In 2016, he joined the San Francisco 49ers as the quarterbacks coach under head coach Chip Kelly.
18. He worked with quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert during his time with the 49ers.
19. Day helped Sam Bradford achieve a record-setting season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Ryan Day's tenure at Ohio State has been marked by significant achievements and milestones.

20. On January 3, 2017, Day was hired to replace co-offensive coordinator Tim Beck at Ohio State.
21. He was promoted to offensive coordinator and primary play caller at Ohio State.
22. In 2018, Day served as acting head coach when Urban Meyer was placed on administrative leave.
23. On December 4, 2018, Ohio State announced that Meyer would retire, and Day would become the full-time head coach.
24. In his first season as head coach in 2019, Day led the Buckeyes to a perfect 12–0 regular season record.
25. The Buckeyes clinched the Big Ten East Division following their victory over Penn State on November 23.
26. Ohio State won the Big Ten Championship against Wisconsin with a score of 34–21.
27. The Buckeyes were named the number two seed in the College Football Playoff but lost to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.
28. On December 3, 2019, Day was named the Dave McClain Coach of the Year by the media.
29. After the 2019 season, Day signed a contract extension, earning a salary of $6 million for the 2020 season, rising to $7.6 million by 2022.

Coaching Philosophy and Leadership

Day's coaching style and leadership qualities have earned him respect and admiration from players, fellow coaches, and fans.

30. Known for his strategic play-calling and ability to develop quarterbacks, Day has received widespread praise.
31. His leadership style emphasizes hard work, dedication, and the importance of education.
32. Day's family instilled a strong work ethic in him from a young age.
33. His father passed away from suicide when Day was nine years old, shaping his advocacy for mental health awareness.
34. Day and his wife, Nina, are dedicated to combating the stigma surrounding mental health.
35. They have partnered with multiple philanthropic organizations to promote suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
36. Day is married to Nina, and they have three children: Ryan Jr., Grace, and Ourania.

Achievements and Recognition

Ryan Day's accomplishments as a coach have been recognized through various awards and milestones.

37. Day has 15 seasons of coaching experience, including two years in the NFL and 10 seasons as a Division I assistant coach.
38. During his time at Boston College, Day’s offense ranked second in the ACC and 21st nationally in rushing yards per game in 2014.
39. Eagle running back Andre Williams rushed for over 2,000 yards in 2013, earning unanimous All-America honors and a Heisman Trophy finalist spot.
40. Day became the first coach in Ohio State history to win two Big Ten championships within his first two years with the team.
41. The Buckeyes maintained an extraordinary record of 34-4 in Day's first three seasons, including 23 consecutive wins.
42. Day was named the first-year Coach of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America and Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year in his first year as head coach.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Beyond football, Day is passionate about mental health advocacy and community involvement.

43. Day's dedication to mental health awareness is evident in his philanthropic work.
44. He is an energizing speaker, known for captivating his audience with motivational speeches.
45. Soundbites from his speeches have been used to create hype videos for Ohio State.
46. Day's family values of hard work, dedication, and education are evident in his coaching style.
47. As a Caucasian American coach, Day serves as a role model for aspiring coaches and players from various backgrounds.
48. He advocates for creating more diverse coaching opportunities in collegiate athletics.
49. Day’s achievements challenge stereotypes related to ethnicity in sports, creating a positive public perception.
50. His experiences as a Caucasian American allow him to navigate various cultural contexts within the college football environment.

Ryan Day: A Legacy in the Making

Ryan Day's journey from a high school quarterback in Manchester, New Hampshire, to the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes is nothing short of inspiring. His strategic play-calling, knack for developing quarterbacks, and dedication to mental health awareness have earned him respect on and off the field. With a record of 34-4 in his first three seasons and two Big Ten championships, Day has solidified his place among college football's elite. Beyond the wins and titles, his advocacy for mental health and commitment to diversity in coaching make him a role model for many. As he continues to lead the Buckeyes, Day's impact on football and his community will be remembered for years to come. His story is a testament to hard work, dedication, and the importance of giving back.