Urban Meyer, the former Ohio State head coach, recently criticized social media users who harshly judged Ryan Day during the Buckeyes’ journey to their latest national championship. Day, who guided Ohio State to its first title since 2014, faced significant pressure entering the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Despite a strong 10-2 regular-season finish, Day endured criticism after a fourth consecutive loss to the Michigan Wolverines in November, leading some fans to question his future as head coach.
However, Day silenced many detractors by steering the Buckeyes to an undefeated postseason. After defeating Tennessee in the first round, Ohio State dominated top-seeded Oregon in the quarterfinals and overcame Texas in the semifinals. The Buckeyes then clinched the national title with a 34-23 win over Notre Dame.
Amid the celebrations, Meyer, who coached Ohio State from 2012 to 2018, condemned fans who attacked Day on social media. Speaking on the “Triple Option” podcast, Meyer called these critics “idiots,” particularly for their anonymous comments. He also criticized the harassment directed at Day’s family, including incidents at his children’s school, calling such behavior “too far.”
Meyer empathized with Day, recounting his own challenges during his coaching career, including at Florida. He recalled facing backlash early in his tenure when fans expressed a preference for former coach Steve Spurrier. Meyer noted that the pressure and scrutiny are inevitable at programs like Ohio State, but he stressed the importance of leaving families out of such criticism.
Meyer and Day share a connection, as Day previously served as Meyer’s offensive coordinator in 2017-18 before succeeding him as head coach. Day’s triumph a decade after Meyer’s 2014 championship win highlights his ability to lead the Buckeyes to the pinnacle of college football, despite enduring substantial challenges along the way.
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