Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is facing scrutiny as the Buckeyes' recent struggles draw comparisons to the final years of Urban Meyer's tenure. The program, which has dominated the Big Ten for much of the past decade, has shown signs of regression on both sides of the ball.
After a loss to USC at the Los Angeles Coliseum on October 31, 2026, questions have intensified about Day's ability to maintain the elite standard set by his predecessor. Meyer, who won three national championships (two at Florida, one at Ohio State), stepped down after the 2018 season amid health concerns and off-field controversies.
Day, who took over in 2019, initially kept the program at championship level, reaching the College Football Playoff in his first two seasons. However, recent seasons have seen the Buckeyes fall short in key matchups, raising concerns about recruiting, player development, and game management.
Analysts note similarities in the trajectory: early success followed by a plateau, coupled with increasing fan and media pressure. While Day's record remains strong overall, the margin for error at Ohio State is razor-thin, and the program's championship expectations leave little room for sustained mediocrity.
