Behind every great coach is an untold story — a story of sacrifice, support, and family. When Ryan Day stepped into the head coaching role at Ohio State in 2019, his wife, Nina made a bold prediction that would eventually come true. The path to the coveted National Championship victory against Notre Dame was anything but easy. But for the Buckeyes HC, competitiveness has been ingrained in his DNA from a young age. Now, Nina is pulling back the curtains on his fierce drive in a new show on YouTube, highlighting just how deep his competitive nature runs.

Ryan Day made an unforgettable appearance at The Kelly Clarkson Show on January 30, bringing with him the precious championship trophy. Kelly Clarkson took a trip down memory lane, diving into his childhood. Ryan and Nina’s relationship dates all the way back to 1985 when they were just six years old and playing on the same T-ball team. Even then, his competitive nature was front and center. Nina confirmed this, saying, “We were in the same T-ball team when we were six years old. And I was stopping right field picking dandelions and he told me to get focused and I thought ‘This kid’s crazy.’” Funny how things work out. 

Both Ryan Day and Nina attended the University of New Hampshire where he played college football from 1998 to 2001. The two tied the knot in 2005 welcoming three kids into the Day family. Life was good when Ryan was an OC and QB coach at Ohio State but everything changed when he was appointed head coach. Nina knew what was coming. 

The 45-year-old reflected on the moment during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show. “When I first was named the head coach in 2019, my wife and — the kids were smaller — we were all sitting on the bed together… she started crying and said, ‘Our family is never gonna be the same again.’”

Ryan didn’t shy away from acknowledging his wife’s prediction saying, “And she was right. But, that didn’t make it easy. You’re expected to win them all, and when you don’t, it’s tough.” After five seasons without the ultimate prize, Ohio State finally brought home the National Championship glory. But it wasn’t without a fight, enduring relentless pressure from fans and critics alike. 

The pressure that Ryan Day and his family faced in 2024 

Nina’s prediction took center stage with OSU’s falling for the fourth straight time against Michigan in the big rivalry game. The struggles of the season weighed heavily on Ryan Day, pushing him to the brink. Some unhinged fans even called out for his death — the stress was so much that the family had to get extra protection for their safety. Even his son R.J. wasn’t spared as Fox Sports analyst Bruce Feldman reported. “R.J. his son, told me school was really rough. He had grown men coming after him. They hired their own, you know, security firm,” he stated. 

This is why this win means a lot to Ryan Day who added, “That’s because of the passion, and nobody puts more pressure on themselves than myself and my family. Nobody wants to win more than my kids and my wife.” But is he willing to put himself through another similar episode in Columbus? USA Today’s Matt Hayes has solid advice for him — “I have some advice for Ryan Day, 45, who earns $10 million annually to be the caretaker of this zoo: leave. Now. Walk away with your pride, your dignity, and your wife’s and family’s safety and security.” 

Ryan Day’s season is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence but it came at a high price. As he reflects on the highs and lows of his career in Columbus, only time will tell if he’s ready for another rollercoaster ride.