A growing number of Ohio State fans are expressing frustration with coach Ryan Day after the Buckeyes suffered their fourth consecutive loss to Michigan on November 30, closing the regular season on a disappointing note. Despite this, Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork remains supportive of Day and publicly reinforced his confidence during an appearance on 97.1 The Fan. Bjork emphasized his belief in Day’s leadership as Ohio State prepares to enter the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Ranked as the No. 8 seed in the new 12-team CFP format, Ohio State will host No. 9 Tennessee in the opening round. Even if the Buckeyes fall short in this game and are eliminated from title contention, Bjork stated he expects Day to remain as head coach in 2025.
“Absolutely,” Bjork affirmed when asked if Day would return. He praised Day’s approach, saying, “Coach Day and I have developed a great relationship. I’ve been very impressed with his innovation, his recruiting at the highest level, and the quality of his staff.”
Bjork also hinted at potential adjustments during the offseason, noting that such changes are common. However, he took the opportunity to address what he sees as an overly rigid “championship or bust” mentality surrounding the program.
Bjork explained, “This mindset—though it’s part of what we sign up for—can be detrimental if we only focus on the outcome rather than the process. If you fixate solely on the end result, it impacts the mindset negatively. What we need is a balanced approach where goals like winning championships remain, but the emphasis must be on the process that leads to those outcomes.”
He added that the program may need to reevaluate how it frames conversations about success, suggesting that a shift in focus could benefit everyone involved. Bjork reiterated his strong support for Day, describing him as an excellent coach and someone deeply committed to the Buckeyes.
This vote of confidence follows Bjork’s previous public support for Day after Ohio State’s narrow 13–10 loss to Michigan at home. At that time, Bjork sought to ease tensions around the program ahead of another potential title run.
“We needed to say something after that game because we’re still in contention,” Bjork remarked. “The season isn’t over, and the story isn’t finished. Ohio State has every reason to be confident. We’re Ohio State, but we also need to stay true to our values and focus on the process. If we get that right, the results will follow.”
Bjork’s comments reflect his belief in Day’s leadership and his commitment to guiding the program through both successes and challenges.