Ohio State coach Ryan Day offers shocking comparison when discussing losing to rival Michiga
This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Ryan Day stepped in for a few games in place of Urban Meyer in 2018. Meyer decided to step away from Ohio State after that season, and Day became the Buckeyes’ full-time head coach entering the 2019 campaign.
While Day has had some success in subsequent years, most notably an appearance in the College Football Playoff national championship in January 2021, he has struggled with the biggest game on Ohio State’s schedule.
Ohio State hosts Michigan Nov. 30, giving Day his latest opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of many of the Buckeyes faithful.
During his weekly coach’s show, Day discussed painful defeats against the Buckeyes’ top rival in recent years. At one point, Day seemed to equate losses to Michigan to a death in his family.
Day has been open about the challenges he’s faced since his father’s death. Day was 8 years old when his father died by suicide. The Ohio State coach has been a vocal advocate for strong mental health during his time in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State has won double-digit games every season under Day, aside from the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. Day’s subpar record against Michigan, coupled with his 2-4 record in bowl games, has drawn criticism.
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Ohio State’s Ryan Day: Losing to Michigan ‘one of the worst things that’s happened to me’
Ryan Day has felt a large sting in each of Ohio State’s losses to Michigan in the past three seasons. He’s hoping to change that when the two hated rivals play on Saturday (noon ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app).
The Ohio State head coach admitted that his team’s three straight losses to Michigan were one of the toughest moments of his life and only topped by the loss of a loved one.
“We felt what it’s like to not win this game, and it’s bad. It’s one of the worst things that’s happened to me in my life, quite honestly,” Day said in an interview on WBNS’ “Game Time with Ryan Day.” “Other than losing my father and a few other things, like it’s quite honestly, for my family, the worst thing that’s happened. So we can never have that happen again, ever. And that’s been the approach all season.”
While Day has been one of college football’s winningest coaches since he was promoted by Ohio State in 2019 (66-9), his inability to win in the majority of the Buckeyes’ biggest games has led to scrutiny. Day is 1-3 against Michigan, with his only win coming in 2019 (the two teams did not play in the COVID-shortened 2020 season).
Entering Saturday’s game, Ohio State holds a clear edge over Michigan. The Buckeyes are 10-1 and Day has notched two top-five victories in November, improving his record against top-five opponents to 4-6. The Wolverines, meanwhile, have struggled offensively in their first season under Sherrone Moore, causing them to enter The Game with a 6-5 record.
Even though Ohio State seems to be on a playoff track regardless of what happens Saturday, it still seems imperative for Day to beat Michigan. Ohio State hasn’t lost four straight games to Michigan since its 0-5-1 stretch from 1988-93.
When you consider that Day’s predecessor, Urban Meyer, won all seven of his matchups against Michigan, he understands the pressure the rivalry brings, saying it’s “not just a game — it’s our life.”
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