Ohio State would face a $75 million payout if it fired coach Ryan Day without cause, a figure that complicates any decision about his future following a difficult season. The Buckeyes’ 41-28 loss to Oregon, after leading 14-0 early on, intensified criticism of Day as questions mount over whether he can meet the program’s high expectations.
Day’s contract, which runs through 2031 after a seven-year extension, includes an estimated $75 million guaranteed salary over the remaining five-plus years. That financial obligation makes an immediate coaching change a costly option for Ohio State’s athletic department and university leadership. Athletic director Ross Bjork and officials will have to weigh that figure carefully as they consider the program’s direction.
The Buckeyes’ struggles this season have drawn new attention to Day’s record, particularly his 2-4 mark against Michigan and recent losses to teams like Indiana. At 6-3, this is Ohio State’s worst campaign under Day and the program’s poorest since 2011. Such results contrast with Day’s previous success, which included a national championship win over Notre Dame in 2025 and two Big Ten titles.
Day earned his current contract after leading Ohio State through a College Football Playoff run with victories over Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas before defeating the Irish for the national title. The five-year, $87.5 million deal was followed by a seven-year extension offering an annual compensation of approximately $12.5 million, plus performance incentives.
These bonuses, which can add up to $1.55 million a year, depend on postseason success, Big Ten achievements, and academic milestones. Day’s team recorded a cumulative GPA near 3.4 for the 2025-26 academic year, earning him a $100,000 academic bonus, the highest since the incentive program began. The bonus system awards $50,000 for a 3.0 GPA, $100,000 for 3.3, and $150,000 for 3.5 or higher.
Despite the recent setbacks, Day’s accomplishments have kept him in Columbus. He has compiled an 87-14 overall record with Ohio State, delivering the program’s first national championship since Urban Meyer’s 2014 team. Yet the expectation to beat Michigan and compete consistently for titles remains a significant source of pressure.
The financial implications of firing Day are steep, especially given Ohio State’s status as one of college football’s wealthiest programs. While the university certainly has the resources to absorb the buyout, the move could affect business aspects tied to the coach’s tenure.
For now, the university faces a complex choice. Any decision to end Day’s contract early would require a clear plan for improvement to justify a $75 million buyout. With the season’s struggles fresh in mind and the contract terms public, Ohio State’s leadership must carefully navigate the road ahead.
According to Yahoo Sports.
