So, you’re looking to find out who is the ohio state football coach right now? Honestly, if you haven’t checked the headlines in Columbus for a while, you might expect a different name given how volatile college football has become. But the answer is still Ryan Day.
He isn't just "still there," though. He’s arguably more entrenched than ever.
As of January 2026, Ryan Day remains the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. After a massive 2024 season where he finally silenced the "can’t win the big one" critics by bringing a National Championship back to High Street, the university doubled down on him. They handed him a contract extension that runs through the 2031 season. It’s a deal worth roughly $12.5 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid people in the history of the sport.
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For a few years there, things were getting a little tense in Buckeye Nation. You know how it is. If you don't beat Michigan, the seat starts to feel like a frying pan.
But Ryan Day changed the narrative. He didn't just survive; he evolved. People forget that he basically rebuilt his entire coaching philosophy after the 2023 season. He brought in Chip Kelly (who eventually moved on), and more recently, he’s been navigating a massive coaching staff shuffle.
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Right now, the big news around the Woody Hayes Athletic Center isn't about Day leaving—it's about who he's hiring to keep the machine running.
Who Is the Ohio State Football Coach Managing in 2026?
Day is currently in the middle of a significant staff overhaul. If you’re following the team this month, you probably saw that Brian Hartline, the long-time wide receivers guru and offensive coordinator, finally took a head coaching gig at South Florida.
Losing Hartline is a gut punch for recruiting, but Day moved fast. He just hired Cortez Hankton away from LSU to coach the receivers. Hankton has a resume that includes developing guys like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., so the "Wide Receiver U" reputation is likely safe.
The rest of the 2026 staff looks like a "Who's Who" of defensive minds:
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- Matt Patricia is the Defensive Coordinator (yes, that Matt Patricia).
- Jim Knowles is still technical and brilliant in his role.
- James Laurinaitis is coaching the linebackers, bringing that "Little Animal" energy back to the sidelines.
- Tim Walton is handling the secondary and was recently promoted to assistant head coach.
Why the 2025 Season Changed Everything
To understand why Ryan Day is still the guy, you have to look at the 2024-2025 run. The Buckeyes went 14-2. They won the Big Ten. They won the Rose Bowl. They won the Cotton Bowl. And most importantly, they won the whole damn thing.
Winning that 2025 College Football Playoff national title changed everything for Day. It moved him into that elite tier of coaches like Kirby Smart and Dabo Swinney. Before that, he was the guy who "inherited a Ferrari" from Urban Meyer. Now? He’s the guy who built a custom engine and won a drag race against the entire SEC.
Even with a slightly "disappointing" end to the 2025 season—a loss to Miami in the Cotton Bowl during the playoffs—the fan base isn't calling for his head anymore. They’re just looking forward to what happens next.
What's the Vibe in Columbus Right Now?
It’s actually pretty optimistic.
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The quarterback situation for 2026 is already a massive talking point. Julian Sayin, the Heisman finalist, is returning to lead the offense. Day’s ability to develop quarterbacks is basically his superpower at this point. Just look at the track record: Haskins, Fields, Stroud. All first-rounders.
Just this week, Day landed another portal win with special teams starter Connor Hawkins. He’s also juggling a top-ranked recruiting class for 2026. The man doesn’t sleep.
Honestly, the biggest challenge Day faces right now isn't his job security; it’s the new era of the Big Ten. With the conference expanding and the 12-team (and soon to be 14-team) playoff, every single Saturday is a gauntlet.
Final Insights for the 2026 Season
If you’re betting on the Buckeyes, or just trying to stay informed, here’s the reality: Ryan Day is the face of Ohio State. He’s weathered the storm of the Michigan rivalry, adapted to the NIL era, and proved he can win a title in the most chaotic period of college football history.
What you should do next:
- Keep an eye on the Offensive Coordinator search: With Hartline gone, Day is still looking for a veteran play-caller to take some of the weight off his shoulders.
- Follow the Transfer Portal: The Buckeyes are still active. They just lost safety Faheem Delane to LSU, so expect Day to look for a veteran replacement in the secondary before spring ball starts.
- Mark your calendar: The spring game in April will be the first look at the Hankton-led wide receiver room and the "Year 2" progression of Julian Sayin.
Ryan Day is the coach. He's got the hardware, he's got the contract, and he's got the most talented roster in the country heading into the 2026 season.