Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and current ESPN analyst Greg McElroy recently shared his admiration for Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day, expressing that he has been a fan of Day since their first meeting in 2018.
McElroy’s appreciation for Day began when the coach stepped in as Ohio State’s interim head coach during Urban Meyer’s suspension. Reflecting on that time, McElroy said, “Ryan Day has been one of my favorite people in the sport since I first met him while he was filling in for Urban Meyer. He took over for a three-game stretch, and I remember being on the call for his first game as a head coach against Oregon State. The offensive performance was outstanding, though the defense had room for improvement. Watching that game, I knew this guy was going to achieve great things in college football.”
While McElroy didn’t anticipate Meyer leaving Ohio State shortly after, he was confident that Day would succeed wherever he coached. “He has access to incredible resources but also faces immense pressure. The expectations this year were especially high, given the talent on the roster, which included several senior players who were determined to win Ohio State’s first national championship in a decade. Despite challenges, particularly after the Michigan game, the team held themselves accountable and refused to let setbacks define them. That deserves recognition.”
Having played for Nick Saban’s powerhouse teams at Alabama, McElroy understands what makes a head coach elite. It’s no surprise he spotted those qualities in Day early on, even when Day was an interim coach still establishing himself.
Although it took some time for Day to secure his first national championship as a head coach, McElroy suggests it was always a matter of when, not if. Now, the focus shifts to whether Day can continue adding championships to his legacy in Columbus. While success in sports is never guaranteed, McElroy believes Day has the potential to deliver even more titles for Ohio State.
