CLEVELAND, Ohio — I was happy for Ryan Day.
I kept thinking that while watching his Ohio State Buckeyes dominate Michigan, 27-9, Saturday.
After four losses in a row to the School Up North, Day should finally have some absolution from that hardcore group of Buckeye fans. You know the type. Given a choice between winning a national title and beating Michigan, they pick the Michigan game.
I will never understand that thinking.
Then again, there is a lot about rabid big-time college sports that confuses me.
But this much I know — Day is growing into a legendary coach right in front of our eyes.
Especially impressive were his words after the game.
“I’ve thought, as you can imagine over the years, what I’d say in this press conference,” Day said. “I’m going to save all those comments. I think the best thing to do is win with humility … We wanted to take this rivalry game back this year.”
Win with humility …
When was the last time you heard a coach say that after a decisive victory on a national stage — especially one that serves as an exorcism for past failures?
When do you hear the word “humility” mentioned at all in connection to sports?
Ryan Day was more than a winner Saturday, he was a class act.
Finally, Ryan Day can smile after a Michigan game.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
A little background
It was a year ago when his heavily favored Buckeyes lost 13-10 to Michigan … in Columbus. Much of the fault was due to Day and his game plan.
Day acted like the three-game Michigan losing streak was so heavy and blinding that he couldn’t see he had the better talent. He may never admit it, but he was angry by the charges that Michigan was the tougher and far more physical team.
So he decided to try to beat Michigan at its run-heavy utterly boring game plan. It was a wise way to play when facing a team that was faster, so no insult intended to Michigan.
But when preparing your team for a game, the point isn’t … well … to prove a point. It’s to win the game.
That 2024 contest was like a race where Michigan had a bulldozer and the Buckeyes had a Corvette. Rather than just roar right past the bulldozer, the uptight Buckeyes tried to drive right through it.
It was Day’s fourth loss in a row to Michigan.
Buckeyes players celebrate in the stands with the fans after beating Michigan.
David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Coaches can learn
Despite the Michigan loss, OSU still was in the College Football Playoff.
Then came one of the best coaching jobs in the history of college football. Day put his Corvette on the road and pushed it into high gear.
To win the national title, the Buckeyes had to beat four teams ranked in the top 10. I’m going to list the scores as a refresher course.
42-17 over Tennessee.
41-21 over Oregon.
28-14 over Texas.
34-23 over Notre Dame.
They didn’t just win, they rolled. They showed everyone they were the best team in the land with a coaching staff that played to win — not in fear of losing.
You can say, “What’s so hard about that? OSU had superior talent to all those teams, they should have won.”
But after being shocked by Michigan, doubts could have followed. Rather than being bolder in their game plans, they could have squeezed even tighter under the pressure.
Day chose bolder.
Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) holds a banner on the field after the end of the college football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines.
David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
A day to celebrate
“To tell you the last four years have been easy is not true,” said Day. “When you don’t accomplish those things, you take it personally.”
That’s especially true when not only are you being questioned as a coach, but your family members are being belittled by some fans. Day was winning nearly 90% of his games, but a vocal minority of fans wanted him fired because of the losses to Michigan.
Then came the national title.
That could have led Day to take verbal shots at the fan base, but he refused. He won with grace just as he lost with grace.
“To win this game, it’s just a great moment,” Day said Saturday. “It’s one of those moments that you want to grab on to for a while and just enjoy it.”
Go ahead, coach. Do just that.
You earned it.
