A Special Person Was on Ryan Day’s Mind During Ohio State’s National Championship Season: Buckeye Breakfast

Ohio State University has been synonymous with elite college football for decades, and under the leadership of head coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have remained a constant contender on the national stage. Day’s leadership, characterized by his ability to guide Ohio State to consistently high levels of performance, is an integral part of the program’s continued success. But behind every head coach’s success story lies personal experiences, influences, and motivations that drive them to achieve greatness.

One of the most poignant aspects of Ryan Day’s tenure as head coach of Ohio State has been the reflection of his personal life, particularly a special person who remained on his mind throughout the 2025 national championship season. For Ryan Day, one of the most important aspects of his journey with Ohio State has been his relationship with his late father, Ray Day. This personal bond played a significant role in shaping Day’s approach to coaching, his philosophy, and his unwavering dedication to his team.

In this article, we will explore the impact of Ryan Day’s father, Ray Day, on his coaching career and how this influence has shaped his leadership during Ohio State’s journey toward national championship glory. We will also take a closer look at how Day balanced his responsibilities as a head coach while honoring the memory of a man who meant so much to him. Through this exploration, we’ll better understand why Ryan Day’s 2025 national championship season was not just a testament to his coaching prowess, but a tribute to the man who helped shape him.

Ryan Day: A Brief Overview

Ryan Day was hired as the 25th head football coach at Ohio State University on December 4, 2018, following the retirement of Urban Meyer. Before taking the helm at Ohio State, Day had an extensive coaching background, including stints as offensive coordinator at both Boston College and Ohio State, as well as head coaching experience at Temple University in 2013.

Day’s success as a coach can be attributed to several factors, including his brilliant offensive mind, his ability to recruit top-tier talent, and his ability to manage a program as large and prestigious as Ohio State. However, it’s also essential to acknowledge the personal influences that have shaped his approach to coaching and his career trajectory. Ryan Day has always spoken about how important family is to him, and it’s no surprise that a personal connection with his late father would be a driving force behind his efforts on the football field.

The Influence of Ray Day

Ryan Day’s father, Ray Day, was an influential figure in his life, and his presence loomed large in the background of Ryan’s career. Ray Day, a coach himself, worked for years at various levels of the game, eventually becoming a teacher and athletic director. The values he instilled in his son, particularly the importance of hard work, perseverance, and discipline, have shaped Ryan Day’s coaching philosophy and approach to life.

As a child, Ryan would watch his father’s work ethic, seeing firsthand how much effort and time his father devoted to his job. It wasn’t just about winning games for Ray Day; it was about developing character in the athletes he worked with, fostering a sense of teamwork, and teaching life lessons that went beyond football. Ryan absorbed these lessons early on, and they became the foundation for his own approach to coaching.

What made Ray Day’s impact even more profound was the way he demonstrated the values of selflessness and humility. Ray Day was known to put others before himself, a trait that Ryan Day continues to embody in his own leadership. Ryan has often spoken about how his father’s work ethic and values were passed down to him, and how they continue to influence his decision-making on and off the field.

Ray Day’s untimely passing in 2017 left a hole in Ryan’s heart, and it was during the 2025 national championship season that Ryan Day found himself reflecting on his father’s memory more than ever before. His dad’s teachings, his character, and his wisdom continued to serve as guiding lights for Ryan as he navigated the pressures of being the head coach at one of college football’s most prestigious programs.

A Tribute to Ray Day in the 2025 National Championship Season

The 2025 national championship season for Ohio State was a momentous one, not just for the team, but for Ryan Day personally. As the Buckeyes fought through a tough season filled with high expectations, the pressure was on to deliver a national title. However, for Ryan, there was something more significant at play than just the X’s and O’s of football. His father’s influence was never far from his mind.

Every decision Ryan Day made during the season was filtered through the lens of what Ray Day would have done. While Ray wasn’t physically there to offer advice or guidance, his presence was felt in every aspect of Ryan’s coaching. This was particularly true when Ryan found himself making difficult decisions regarding player development, game strategy, and leadership. Ryan always remembered how his father focused on the bigger picture—how sports were about life lessons and personal growth. This perspective led Ryan to place an emphasis on his players’ personal development, ensuring they weren’t just growing as athletes but as people.

As the team progressed through the season, Ryan Day found ways to integrate the values his father instilled in him into the culture of Ohio State football. For example, one of Ryan’s hallmark coaching strategies is his focus on building relationships with players. This focus on mentorship and personal development is a reflection of Ray Day’s approach as a coach. Ryan Day’s emphasis on creating a supportive and family-like environment within the team was a direct tribute to the way his father had always treated his players and athletes. Ryan understood that winning games was important, but winning the respect and admiration of his players was even more critical.

During the national championship game, as the Buckeyes faced off against an elite opponent, Ryan Day couldn’t help but think back to his father’s influence. There were moments of reflection, particularly during intense moments of the game when the pressure was at its peak. In those moments, Ryan would often think about the things his father had taught him—how to stay calm under pressure, how to maintain perspective, and how to lead with integrity and humility. These lessons were more important than any game plan or schematic adjustment.

On the field, the Buckeyes played with a sense of purpose and determination. Their success wasn’t just about executing plays to perfection; it was about playing with heart and passion, qualities that Ryan Day always emphasized to his players. It was clear that this season wasn’t just about winning for Ryan; it was about honoring his father’s legacy and ensuring that the lessons his dad had taught him were passed on to the next generation of Ohio State players.

Buckeye Breakfast: A Symbol of Family and Tradition

One of the most endearing traditions that Ryan Day instituted during his time as head coach at Ohio State was the “Buckeye Breakfast.” This early morning event has become a symbol of the family atmosphere that Ryan Day worked hard to cultivate within the program. The breakfast is more than just a pre-game meal; it’s an opportunity for the coaches, players, and staff to come together as a unit before the chaos of a game day begins.

For Ryan, the Buckeye Breakfast was a direct reflection of his father’s values. Ray Day, in his career as a coach, always emphasized the importance of family—of creating a sense of unity and togetherness that transcended the football field. This idea of coming together before the battle, sharing a meal, and bonding as a group, was something Ryan carried with him into his coaching career. It was a subtle yet powerful way to keep his father’s memory alive within the team, reminding everyone that, while winning was important, the relationships and camaraderie they shared were just as significant.

The Buckeye Breakfast is where Ryan Day would often take a step back, look at his players, and think about how far they had come—not just as athletes, but as young men. It was in these moments that Ryan felt closest to his father’s spirit. As his players gathered around, eating their breakfast, Ryan was reminded of the importance of the people who surrounded him and the impact they had on his life and the lives of his players.

Ryan Day’s journey to the 2025 national championship season was not just about football; it was about honoring the memory of a man who had shaped him into the person and coach he was. Ray Day’s influence was felt in every decision Ryan made, and it served as a guiding light through the challenges and triumphs of the season. For Ryan, this championship wasn’t just for him or his team; it was a tribute to his father’s legacy, one that would continue to inspire him and the Ohio State program for years to come.

In the end, the Buckeyes’ victory was more than just a championship; it was a celebration of family, tradition, and the lasting impact that one person can have on the lives of others. Through his leadership and the way he honored his father, Ryan Day showed that the greatest victories are often those that go beyond the scoreboard and touch the hearts of those who matter most.