Ohio State Boosters Make Final Decision on Ryan Day's Future
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is facing mounting pressure after the team's latest upset loss to rival Michigan, with growing suggestions that the school could seek a massive buyout.
Ohio State boosters, who would fit the bill for the buyout, may have other ideas.
Day came under fire for his team's flat effort in a 13-10 loss to the Wolverines on Saturday, with more criticism for his seeming inaction during a postgame brawl on the field.
Moving on from Day would be an expensive endeavor for the Buckeyes. Austin Curtright of the Columbus Dispatch reported that it would cost north of $37 million to buy out his contract -- a high number but "manageable" if the Buckeyes were sufficiently motivated.
"Day is one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, but the buyout total would be more than manageable for a program of Ohio State's stature," Curtright wrote.
Ohio State's boosters are not ready to make such a drastic move, however. Reporter and author John U. Bacon noted that boosters don't have a strong interest in making such an expensive move.
"Apparently Day's buy-out is going viral on Ohio media," Bacon wrote in a post on X. "It's $37M, and insiders tell me OSU boosters have no appetite for it, with NIL demands, and the like. FYI."
Ohio State has plenty of room to rebound from Saturday's loss. Though their standing in the College Football Playoff bracket may take a hit, the Buckeyes are still expected to earn a spot.
Still, Day appeared at a loss for words as to how the team lost to underdog Michigan for what is now the fourth straight time.
"I don't know," Day said. "We're fresh off The Game. I don't really have the answer to that. We're very disappointed. Never thought this would happen right here."