Ohio State head coach Ryan Day addressed pressure to win the national championship, citing the significant amount spent on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) figures. Despite spending around $20 million on the program, the Buckeyes lost two regular season games, including a close loss to Michigan.
However, Ohio State rebounded by making a strong run in the College Football Playoff and ultimately won the national championship. Day credited the team’s growth and learning process as the key factors behind their success. “The majority of our team came back,” Day said, referring to player retention efforts. The addition of major transfers like Will Howard, Caleb Downs, and Quinshon Judkins also contributed to the team’s strength.
Day downplayed the impact of NIL figures, stating that they were not a significant factor in their success. Instead, he emphasized the team’s ability to respond to challenges and grow from their experiences. “These guys learned a bunch of life lessons,” Day said. “They’re gonna go down in Ohio State history as one of the greatest teams ever.” The Buckeyes’ win marked only the third time in over 50 years that a top-ranked program had won the national championship, making their achievement all the more impressive.
Day expressed pride in his team’s performance and legacy, stating that they will be remembered as one of the best stories in Ohio State history. With a strong focus on teamwork and perseverance, the Buckeyes proved that even with high expectations and pressure, they could still achieve greatness.
Source: https://www.on3.com/college/ohio-state-buckeyes/news/ryan-day-addresses-pressure-to-win-championship-given-nil-figures-michigan-loss