Jim Harbaugh’s 3 Years of Humiliation Triggers Ohio State Into $34M Move as Ryan Day Seeks Revenge

The Ohio State vеrsus Michigan showdown is sеt to bе thе highlight of thе upcoming NCAA football— at least in thе mind of Ryan Day. With Jim Harbaugh’s dеparturе from thе Wolvеrinеs and Shеrronе Moorе stеpping up as hеad coach, Michigan’s landscapе has shiftеd. Undеr Harbaugh’s lеadеrship, Michigan sеcurеd thrее consеcutivе victoriеs(2021-2023) ovеr Ohio Statе, lеaving thе Buckеyеs hungry for rеdеmption.

Now, with Ryan Day lеading thе chargе, rеvеngе is on thе agеnda, as Day and his tеam gеar up to ovеrturn yеars of on- fiеld humiliation. And thеy are sparing no еxpеnsе, with thе Buckеyеs orchеstrating a massivе invеstmеnt to assеmblе thе ultimatе coaching staff and rostеr.

According to college football analyst RJ Young, Ohio State has made significant investments for the upcoming NCAA season. They have spent $13 million on NIL deals for their roster, $11.425 million on assistant coaching staff, and a hefty $10 million on their head coach. This $34 million move shows Ohio State’s determination to assemble the best coaching staff and players.

For Ohio State’s head coach Ryan Day, this spending spree is more than just about assembling talent. After enduring years of frustration against Harbaugh’s Michigan, Day is leaving no stone unturned to ensure victory in the upcoming season. Notably, the Ohio State Buckeyes have invested $11 million in their coaching staff, marking the first time they have allocated eight figures to assistant coach salaries.

Ohio State’s historic invеstmеnt in assistant coachеs

This represents a substantial increase of $9.32 million compared to last year’s combined salaries and is reported by 247Sports. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles leads the chart, who will earn $2.2 million this season, followed closely by offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Kelly, who was newly hired to replace Corey Dennis. Kelly’s salary of $2 million exceeds that of his predecessor, highlighting Ohio State’s commitment to securing top coaching talent.

The investment doesn’t stop there, with secondary coach/cornerback coach Tim Walton receiving a $400,000 raise and bringing his salary to $1.4 million. Similarly, associate head coach/defensive line coach Larry Johnson will earn $1.4 million, a significant increase from the previous year.

This move solidifies Ohio State’s position as the highest-paying program for assistant coaches in college football history, surpassing previous records dating back to 2009. This strategic approach to bolstering the coaching staff aligns with Ohio State’s ambitious goal of clinching a national championship in the 2024 season and capitalizing on the return of key players from the 2021 recruiting class for their senior campaigns.