Ryan Day knows how far the Ohio State fans can go when it comes to Michigan. Remember what happened last year? Michigan writer Chris Balas of The Wolverine published a report suggesting that Day’s family had ties to the private investigators responsible for the NCAA’s investigation into Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing scheme. Later on, both the Big Ten and the NCAA confirmed that was false. But by then, the Buckeyes fans had already threatened Day and his family. This year, Day is at the gunpoint again, literally.

The Buckeyes had a good overall season but dropped the ball against the Wolverines in an upset 13-10 loss, bringing back the same gut-wrenching memory. It marked the fourth straight year of Day losing to the school’s arch-rival in a fight that they prepared for the rest 365 days of the year. So while leaving the stadium, the fans chanted, “Fire Ryan Day!”

Day was also distressed. So much so that he went on to say, “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. Other than losing my father and a few other things, it’s quite honestly for my family the worst thing that’s happened. So we can never have that happen.” Despite this, it seems that this time, Day has taken the threats seriously as he made arrangements to ensure his safety.

Day and his team have moved on from the Michigan heartbreak with an overwhelming Tennessee win in the first round of the playoff, solidifying their potential national title shot. But fans couldn’t stop throwing shades to the 45-year-old. So, according to Yahoo Sports’ latest take, Day recruited arms security after getting several death threats from toxic fans. We understand the frustration part. Look how well Ohio State was placed heading into the game.

This year, Day had all in his favor in the home game on November 30. Michigan had been undergoing a slump (6-5 when they faced Ohio) with a drought in the coaching roster. They were missing their best offensive player and best defensive player as well. It couldn’t be a greater opportunity for Day to dodge his ‘big game looser’ tag for all and once. But Day still couldn’t deliver the punch at the right time.

The loss might look especially glaring considering the same opponent who was kept in check under the coach Urben Meyer and Luke Fuckell era. But death threats for that? That sounds way too much. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit did not mince his words to condemn that.

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On Saturday, Herbstreit called his alma mater’s victory over Tennessee. Near the end of the 42-17 rout, he blasted a “lunatic fringe” of Buckeyes fans who want Day fired. He claimed that their toxic fans are “as powerful as anywhere in the country.”

Herbstreit naturally got criticized by the Buckeyes fans. But he was firm in his stand because he’s seen the real dangers Day and his family face from Ohio State supporters. “I’m a friend of Ryan Day’s,” Herbstreit said on The Pat McAfee Show. “He and I talk on a regular basis about more than just football, so I hear things that he and his family go through. Especially Nina, his wife. His son, who gets death threats from multiple, multiple people. And what it’s doing to them as a family.”

“When I hear that, it really frustrates me that he has to deal with putting an armed guard outside of his house 24/7 for his own fanbase. That hurts my heart that that is a reality for the Ohio State coach,” Herbstreit added. In fact, the broadcaster once again slammed the “lunatic fringe.”

“Any time you hear me talk about the lunatic fringe, I get frustrated with that group of fans,” he continued. “Every fanbase has them. I just think the Ohio State fanbase, because they’re so passionate, I think that very local minority of 15 or 20 percent is as strong at Ohio State as it is anywhere.” Herbstreit was not convinced this was what Day deserved after putting his heart and soul into the school for the past five years. After all, he has a 67-10 career coaching record. And the ESPN analyst is not the only one to stand by Day.

AD Ross Bjork found himself in deep water after backing up Ryan Day

Even after all the brickbats, we should keep it clean and ethical. Ohio State’s athletic director, Ross Bjork, knows it the best. Not only that, the AD, in fact, doesn’t see much offense in what Day did in Columbus in his decade-long tenure. Ross wasn’t delusional, either. Day’s overall coaching record makes him one of the most prized coaches in the entire CFB realm. When asked about his tottering future with the Buckeyes in 2025, the AD sees an ‘absolute’ silver line.

”He’s great to work with. He totally gets it. He loves being a Buckeye. And so we’re going to support him at the highest level throughout,” Ross said in an eye-opening confession about coach Day amidst the hot air surrounding his Michigan loss.

However, the AD, in his first year, had to pay a price for being candid. A Michigan insider held him accountable for his comment and questioned his legitimacy as a leader.

Although it, in no way, nullified Ross and his honest take on peer Ryan Day, it certainly showcased the level of antipathy that brews against the head coach inside Ohio State. Of course, the first-round thrashing of Tennessee must have calmed some nerves. Everyone is looking forward to getting the natty, but will the fans turn against Day one more time if he falls in the quarterfinals? What do you think?