Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes' dream run came crashing down the moment he decided to take over offense. The Buckeyes lost the quarterfinal to the Miami Hurricanes, frustrating an ESPN expert, who ranked Day in the bottom ten as a result.

“I'm not an Ohio State fan, but I was yelling at the TV during the Miami CFP game because the Buckeyes just refused to pick up the pace in the second half when they were down multiple scores,” ESPN’s Bill Connelly expressed on July 9. 

His disappointment with Day is not unwarranted. The head coach took over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, and the Buckeyes’ offense crumbled. They were in a 14-0 deficit in the halftime.

The Buckeyes were shut out in the first half, then surrendered a 10-point lead in the second—a collapse that sealed the loss. The game was lost, and all the Hurricanes simply ran out the clock.

Day had a championship-caliber team, but it failed in front of the No. 10 Hurricanes, who pulled a huge upset. He and the team lost the Cotton Bowl 24-14.

ESPN released a ranking of top college football coaches going into the 2026 season. Connelly’s opinion of Day is a part of it. He is ranked No. 3 overall, and Connelly placed Day No. 8 on his personal leaderboard. 

He is the only one to rank him below No.4. Connelly explained his outlier ranking: Day fails under pressure.

“I may have dropped Day too far after last season, but I just didn't think he stuck the landing at all in 2025,” the writer opined. “When it was time to help that offense shift into gear late and ramp up the tempo and the risk profile against elite opponents, Day just couldn't do it.”

Despite the big loss, Day had an incredible season, and his victories are not lost on everyone. Another ESPN writer had praised the head coach and acknowledged the pressure he is under.

“Better than anyone else”: Ryan Day remarked as No.1 college football coach 

Ohio State Buckeyes’ Ryan Day holds an 82-12 program record. Day won his first-ever national championship with the program in 2024.

It was the program’s first in a decade and also defeated the Michigan Wolverines in a resounding 27-9 victory. For that, ESPN’s Jake Trotter values Day a lot and put him in the No.1 slot.

“Nobody wins more. Day owns the best winning percentage of any active coach while operating under the game's most demanding expectations,” he said, via ESPN. “When combining elite results, championship success, player development and the pressure that comes with the Ohio State job, Day is doing it better than anyone else.”

Trotter is lending his full support to Day and his program this season. Whether he attains bigger success this season is to be seen. What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar