Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ryan Day

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 13, 2026

How Ryan Day built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Ryan Day is the head football coach at Ohio State University since 2019, after serving as acting head coach in 2018. A former college quarterback and linebacker at the University of New Hampshire (1998-2001), Day began his coaching career in 2002.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2001: Team Captain at UNH

In 2001, Ryan Day was a team captain as a senior at the University of New Hampshire.

January 22, 2015: Hired as Philadelphia Eagles Quarterbacks Coach

On January 22, 2015, Ryan Day was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.

January 3, 2017: Hired as Co-Offensive Coordinator

On January 3, 2017, Ryan Day was hired to replace Tim Beck as co-offensive coordinator of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

January 2018: Promotion to Offensive Coordinator

In January 2018, Ryan Day was promoted to offensive coordinator and primary play caller at Ohio State after being linked to the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator position.

August 1, 2018: Named Acting Head Coach

On August 1, 2018, Ryan Day was named acting head coach at Ohio State following Urban Meyer being placed on administrative leave.

December 4, 2018: Named Head Coach

On December 4, 2018, it was announced that Ryan Day would replace Urban Meyer as the full-time head coach of Ohio State after the 2019 Rose Bowl.

2019: Partnership with On Our Sleeves

In 2019, Ryan Day and his wife partnered with On Our Sleeves, a mental health awareness organization affiliated with Nationwide Children's Hospital, also launching The Christina and Ryan Day Fund for Pediatric and Adolescent Mental Wellness.

2019: Ranked First in CFP Poll

In 2019, Ryan Day's first season as head coach, the Buckeyes were ranked first in the CFP Poll for the first time since Week 14.

2021: 2021 Season

In 2021, Ryan Day's third season as head coach, Ohio State began ranked fourth in the AP and Coaches' Poll, and had wins against then 20th-ranked Penn State and fifth-ranked Michigan State.

2022: Launch of Nina and Ryan Day Resilience Fund

In 2022, Ryan Day and his wife launched the Nina and Ryan Day Resilience Fund with a $1 million gift to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine to fund research and services that promote mental health.

2022: 2022 Season

In 2022, Ryan Day's fourth season, the Buckeyes started ranked #2 and began 8-0, but Day fell to 1-2 against Michigan, becoming the first coach to lose multiple games to them in the 21st century.

2024: 2024 Season Start

In 2024, Ryan Day's Ohio State Buckeyes began their season ranked #2 in the AP Poll, but after a loss to Oregon, questions arose about Day's ability to win big games, with a 2-6 record against Top 5 teams.

October 4, 2025: Victory over Minnesota Golden Gophers

On October 4, 2025, Ryan Day led Ohio State to a 42-3 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, improving his overall record as head coach to 75-10 (.882).

November 29, 2025: Victory over Michigan

On November 29, 2025, Ryan Day led the Buckeyes to a 27-9 victory in Ann Arbor over Michigan, completing a 12-0 perfect regular season and marking Ohio State's first win against Michigan since 2019.

2025: 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship

In 2025, Ryan Day led Ohio State to win the College Football Playoff National Championship against Notre Dame, 34-23, earning his first national championship as a head coach.