“It was rough, but you’ve gotta hang on in those rough times because eventually things will turn back around again,” Ryan Day’s son, R.J., said. That one line captures everything the Day family went through over the past few months. From relentless fan backlash to death threats, losing four straight to Michigan had Ohio State fans turning on their head coach. When the Buckeyes took that tough 13-10 L in The Game, you could practically hear the job security chatter get louder and the buyout whispers started swirling. And it wasn’t just Ryan Day who took the hit—his family took it too. The criticism seeped beyond the field, into the personal lives of the people closest to him. Yet through it all, they stuck around. They hung in. And then, everything changed.

One national title flipped the entire narrative. Just like that, Ryan Day went from being on the hot seat to being one of the most celebrated coaches in college football. The same fans who once doubted him came back with full support. Now? He’s paying it forward. In an incredible move that stunned not just Buckeye Nation but the entire college football world, Ryan Day made headlines by donating his entire $1.4 million bonus and endorsement money to charity and homelessness support organizations.

Let that sink in. Not a portion—all of it. As longtime Buckeyes supporter Bev Ferguson posted on X: “BREAKING NEWS: Coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State team has donated his entire $1.4 million bonus and endorsement contract to charities and homelessness support organizations. Much respect!” Yeah, massive respect. Most coaches take the bonus and keep it pushing. Ryan Day chose to make an impact that goes way beyond wins and losses.

And this isn’t just a one-time act of generosity. Ryan Day and his wife, Christina Spirou, have been committed to giving back for years. In 2022, they pledged $1 million to support mental health research and treatment through Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine. They followed that up with another $1 million donation and even started The Christina and Ryan Day Fund for Pediatric and Adolescent Mental Wellness at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Mental health is something deeply personal to Ryan Day. He lost his father to suicide when he was just nine years old. That experience shaped him. He doesn’t talk about it often, but when he does, it’s clear how much it still sits with him. “The mental health thing has always been important to me based on the way that I grew up and some of the things that I experienced growing up,” Day shared on The Triple Option Podcast. “Through Nationwide Children’s and through OSU, I think Columbus is the leader in the country in the mental health space.”

He’s not just showing up with words—he’s showing up with action. He’s built a culture at Ohio State that prioritizes mental wellness, not just performance. And now, with this latest $1.4 million gesture, it’s impossible to ignore the kind of difference he’s making. “I think it’s important, as the head coach, to be a leader in that area and to make sure that we’re doing our part, giving back to all those who do so much for us,” Day said. That mindset is slowly shifting public opinion. Buckeye fans, and even the broader CFB world, are beginning to see the bigger picture.

Ryan Day wins hearts and minds

Sure, there are still some jabs online. One fan posted, “That’s awesome, but Michigan still owns you.” Okay, fine. But even that’s starting to fade. Another fan followed it up with, “Damnit. Now I’m a Ryan Day fan. Sh-t.” Because how can you not be?

The guy weathered the storm. He stood tall when the pressure was at its highest. And now, with a national title in hand and millions donated for a cause close to his heart, he’s leading by example in a way few coaches ever do. Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork put it best: “Ohio State Football has long been defined by excellence, and, under Ryan Day’s leadership, that tradition has not only continued but thrived.”

And the money? Yeah, Day’s doing just fine. After winning the natty, he signed a massive contract extension—$12.5 million per year over seven years, with huge buyout clauses and the potential for $1.55 million in annual bonuses. But instead of hoarding that cash like most would, he’s using it to help others. He’s using it to lead off the field. “That’s awesome! Go Bucks!”—this fan comment summed it up.

Even former players have noticed. Offensive lineman Harry Miller has spoken publicly about how Day created a supportive, safe environment within the program. That kind of leadership isn’t flashy, but it matters. And fans are responding in kind. “Fantastic 🫶🏼” one wrote. And another added, “Well done, sir!” Those aren’t just surface-level compliments. They reflect a shift in how fans see their head coach. Not just as a play-caller. But as a man who truly stands for something.

Still, there’s a lingering question in the air—what happens if Ohio State loses to Michigan again? Will the tide turn back? A statement that says: Winning matters. But so does doing the right thing. And whether or not fans forget the past losses, they’re starting to realize that their head coach is more than just a scoreboard.

He’s a leader. A father. A builder. And now, a giver in the biggest sense of the word. He didn’t just win a natty. He won hearts.