As Jeremiah Smith completed a crucial catch from quarterback Will Howard, effectively securing Ohio State’s win, the cameras turned to a jubilant Ryan Day. The head coach was seen celebrating with unrestrained joy on the sidelines—jumping and grinning. This emotional moment marked a turning point for Day, who had previously faced intense criticism following a loss to Michigan. The backlash had even escalated to death threats, putting his job security into question. But with this victory, Day finally secured a national championship title and silenced many of his doubters. It was a defining moment of redemption, and Day himself reflected on it meaningfully.
He shared, “The story gets to get told now, and it’s a great story about a bunch of guys who have just overcome some really tough situations… There were a lot of people that counted us out, and we just kept swinging and kept fighting. It’s the reason why you get into coaching—to see guys overcome things, learn life lessons, and then reach their dreams. This is what happened tonight.”
Ohio State’s win not only ended a national title drought that had lasted nearly a decade but also reaffirmed Day’s status within the program. It served as a message to critics who had placed him on the proverbial hot seat at the start of the season. But despite all the success, a bizarre controversy has emerged—one that questions Day’s appearance rather than his coaching skills.
College football personality Clay Travis took to social media to comment on Day’s beard, saying, “If you have a beard, and you dye your beard, you are not trustworthy… This is why people didn’t trust Ryan Day. I think Ryan Day’s approval ratings would go up a billion percent if he didn’t dye his beard.” His remarks sparked a wave of online discussion, prompting a response from Day’s wife, Nina.
Nina Day responded directly, stating, “I have known Ryan my entire life and he has never once dyed his beard. Move on to the next narrative.” Given their long history together—having known each other since childhood in New Hampshire and being married since 2005—Nina’s defense of her husband carried weight. The couple has three children together and has shared much of their life, but not everyone accepted her denial.
Some users questioned how much Nina could know about Day’s grooming habits during the months he spends away with the team. One comment pointed out that Day is often away for around five months due to the football season, implying she might not be privy to everything. Others accused her of lying or being unaware of what’s visibly apparent.
Despite the beard-related speculation, Ryan Day’s status as a head coach has surged following the championship win. His popularity on social media and in the broader college football world has grown significantly. He now ranks as the second-highest-paid coach in the sport, behind only Kirby Smart, with an annual salary of $12.5 million.
Recent coaching rankings published by Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman of The Athletic show Day has climbed to second place among college football coaches for 2025, rising from previous placements of seventh and fifth. This shift directly contradicts any narrative that he lacks public or institutional support.
Still, the beard debate continues to draw attention, distracting from Day’s considerable coaching achievements. Critics and fans alike seem fascinated by whether he dyes his hair or not, even though it has little bearing on his professional success. Some even suggested that external factors like NIL budget figures and appearance continue to cloud how Day is perceived—regardless of his accomplishments.
In the end, whether or not Ryan Day dyes his beard seems trivial in comparison to leading Ohio State to a national championship. But in the court of public opinion, especially online, even the smallest detail can become a focal point—no matter how irrelevant it may seem to the legacy of one of college football’s top coaches.