If you see reports of strong winds down in Columbus, it’s not the freezing cold. They probably rose from Ryan Day, taking the biggest sigh of relief ever. Coach Day was under duress to save his sanctity, his reputation, and his reverence within the Buckeyes faithful. At one stage, it seemed like the clock would strike midnight before the fairytale accomplishment that ensued.  However, the National Championship may have changed the epilogue of this proverbial book into a ‘happily ever after.’  

Ryan Day and everybody of an Ohio State persuasion probably want to flush this out of their collective memories now. But one fateful Saturday in November, coach Day’s self-proclaimed “worst-thing that’s ever happened” took a familiar maize and blue form. For the 4th consecutive year, he had to live out the transcendent horror of losing The Game to Michigan. This time, though, the reaction to this loss was much worse than previously. Not just externally but internally- from his own ‘fans.’

This blueblood program has one of the biggest followings in the country. In the aftermath of this result, some people crossed the line. Ryan Day was chastised in the aftermath, perhaps rightfully so. 4 consecutive losses in The Game are not absolvable. However, this time around, his wife Nina and children were caught in the storm, too. One aspect of what transpired was particularly egregious. Ryan Day had to hire armed personnel to ensure the safety of himself and his family in the wake of d—h threats. Football is life out in Columbus, but this was a step too far. Now that things turned out how they did. He’s a hero. Not only did Ryan Day get his dues and flowers from the fanbase, he’s also getting rewarded by the powers that be.

As relayed by journalist Dan Hope, Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork has stated he wants to ensure Ryan Day will be Ohio State’s coach “for years to come.” Bjork stood up for coach Day after the Michigan result, through the adversity. He’d backed him with a vote of confidence, confirming that Ryan Day’s job does indeed remain safe. Not only has the Natty now confirmed the safety of his current tenure, it’s going to elongate it.

Dan Hope’s colleague at Eleven Warriors, Chase Brown, had this to say about a dialogue with Ted Carter, OSU president. “Ted Carter tells me Ohio State is working on a contract extension for Ryan Day.  “We’re working it. We don’t have any announcements yet, but we have intent.” Carter said. “I know Ryan wants to stay here, so we’re working the details.” posted Brown on X. The masses shouldn’t lose perspective of exactly what Ryan Day has overcome to get to this juncture. Not just this season, but from way back as a kid. Nina Day’s comments after the Natty win paint a heart-wrenching picture. Fair warning for the morbid theme.

Wife’s statements after the National Championship explore the depths of Ryan Day’s distress

Revered member of CFB media Bruce Feldman spoke about a conversation he had with Nina Day after the Natty and in the backdrop of the death threats. “I give a ton of credit to Nina Day, how she handled it,” said Feldman. “She told me she was really worried because, in this day and age, you have to take everything seriously. Especially when it comes to things of that nature.” It cannot be understated how a minority of Ohio State fans acted and blemished this historic program. Feldman then relayed a dark reality brought up to him by Nina Day.

Feldman recalled that “She pointed out to me a symmetry. The day of the National Title Game was Monday, January 20. It was also the anniversary of when Ryan Day is a little boy [and] he loses his father by s—–e. I mean, the gravity of all that is just remarkable.” Nina Day even told The Dispatch ““The time between the Michigan game and the Tennessee game was as low and dark as you could possibly imagine… They told me multiple times to have Ryan follow in his father’s footsteps and k**l himself”

Ryan Day deserves this vindication for everything he’s been through. For him to now stand on top of the CFB pedestal is highly deserved. He’s shown his character, his coaching acumen, and his love for Ohio State within the last month. The beats of this story aren’t akin to a fairytale at all. But at least he got his happy ending. A contract extension will dissipate the skepticism for at least the near future, and his family can feel more relaxed, too.