When you think of game-changers in college football, Ryan Day’s name is impossible to ignore. Since stepping into the head coach role at Ohio State in 2019, Day hasn’t just kept the Buckeyes at the top—he’s redefined what dominance looks like. Picture this: a jaw-dropping 69-10 record, back-to-back Big Ten flexes, and College Football Playoff appearances like they’re routine. Under Day’s leadership, Ohio State has gone from being a powerhouse to an absolute juggernaut.

But here’s the kicker—he’s doing all this under the brightest spotlight possible. Ryan Day doesn’t just keep the Buckeyes on top; he makes it look easy. With players like Justin Fields and J.K. Dobbins rising under his guidance, Day has turned Ohio State into a full-blown offensive juggernaut that’s hard to stop. From the highs to the lows, he’s been through it all—and he keeps grinding, proving that no matter what, he’s here for greatness. And just like Day has been committed to the Buckeyes for years, someone special has been by his side since 2005. Let’s meet the special lady behind Ryan Day’s success!

Who is Ryan Day’s Wife?

So, Nina Spirou Day (aka ‘Nina’) is basically Ryan Day’s brightest sunshine since day one. They’ve been ride-or-die since childhood in Manchester, New Hampshire. And they’ve been inseparable ever since they said ‘I do’ back in 2005. Nina’s been living that coach’s wife life, moving 11 times in 15 years as Ryan’s coaching career took them everywhere. It hasn’t been easy, but she’s been there every step of the way, raising their three kids and keeping everything together while Ryan does his thing on the field.

But wait, Nina isn’t just a mom and wife—she’s also out here doing big things for the community. She and Ryan dropped $1 million on the OSU Wexner Medical Center to help mental health initiatives, showing they’re all about giving back. Nina also kept it real about the struggles of being a coach’s wife, especially during the 2020 COVID season when Ryan was off doing his thing, and she had to hold down the fort at home. Through all of it, Nina’s been a rock for her family, making sure they stay solid even when things get crazy.

Now, with the family settled in a mansion in Delaware, Ohio, after years of moving, Nina’s role remains just as important as ever. She manages the family life while supporting Ryan Day’s career, but she also gives back to the community. Despite the luxury of their home, Nina stays grounded, focused on what really matters: her family and making a difference.

The threat to Day’s kids

The Day kids, RJ, Grace, and Nia, have had to endure some pretty horrifying threats due to their father’s job. After Ohio State’s brutal 13-10 loss to Michigan, some fans took things way too far, and the Day family was targeted with death threats. Yes, these threats were so serious that Ryan and Nina had to take action to keep their kids safe. Ryan Day is known for being protective. Every parent is. But even he felt helpless and unsure how to shield his family from the extremity of the situation.

Even former Alabama coach Nick Saban weighed in, calling out the craziness, saying, “These Ohio State fans, they’ve got a psychotic obsession with Michigan, and they need to go get therapy or something to try to get it fixed.” The intensity of the backlash was so extreme that it spilled over into personal attacks on the Day family. Nina described her experience the next weeks following the Michigan loss as “brutal“. And expressing how upset she was with how certain fans targeted their kids. It wasn’t just wrong; it was downright wrong people!

As the family tried to cope, Nina reflected on how the pressure affected Ryan personally. “The morning after we lost to the team up north, there was just a different look in his eye. He got out, and he just looked at me, and he’s like, ‘I have no other choice but to fight my way out of this,’” Nina shared. Losing to Michigan four years in a row was a crushing blow to Ryan Day, but his determination to bounce back was fierce. Despite the intense pressure, Nina noted, “All that he’s done for the last month is fight himself out of it… He’s swinging as hard as he can, and he’s working a million hours.” That fight, even though it took a toll on their family, was key to Ryan and Ohio State’s comeback.

Fans can be the life of a team, but sometimes, they can cross a line that they shouldn’t cross. Ryan Day and his family had to bear the brunt of some seriously unhinged fan behavior after that Michigan loss. But even through the worst of it, Ryan kept pushing. Thanks to his hard work, Ohio State has a shot at the national championship. Nina summed it up perfectly. “I think he’s doing this to prove himself right and not to prove anybody else wrong.” Through the turmoil, Ryan Day has kept fighting. With the love and support of Nina and their kids behind him every step of the way.