Columbus, OH — May 16, 2025 In a groundbreaking development set to ripple across the landscape of college athletics, Ohio State University has announced a historic $105 million contract extension for Ryan Day—not as head coach, but in his newly elevated role as General Manager of Buckeyes Football. The move signals a tectonic shift in the structure of collegiate programs and may set the blueprint for the next generation of football powerhouses.
Day, who has led the Buckeyes since 2019 with a stellar record of success, will transition from head coach to a role akin to a professional sports general manager, overseeing the entire operation of Ohio State football. His new responsibilities include roster construction, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) strategy, recruiting oversight, staff hiring, and long-term program development. This evolution marks one of the boldest restructurings ever seen at the collegiate level.
“Ryan Day is not just a football coach—he’s a visionary,” said Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith in a press conference on Friday morning. “This contract reflects our confidence in his leadership and our commitment to competing not just on the field, but in every area of modern college football.”
The deal, reportedly spanning 10 years with performance bonuses and NIL-aligned incentives, makes Day one of the highest-paid figures in college sports—not for coaching, but for leadership at an institutional level. Day’s previous salary as head coach hovered around $9.5 million annually, but his new role expands his influence beyond game planning and play-calling into executive leadership, making him the face of an evolving model of college football operations.
A Vision for the Future
Day’s transition comes as college football enters an era defined by unprecedented change: the expansion of the College Football Playoff, the explosion of NIL endorsements, the transfer portal revolution, and increased calls for athlete compensation. Rather than resist the tide, Ohio State has leaned into it—betting on Day’s ability to steer the program through these uncharted waters.
Insiders suggest the Buckeyes’ decision stems from increasing pressure to remain at the forefront of innovation. The model closely resembles that of professional sports franchises, where head coaches focus on short-term tactics while general managers chart long-term strategic direction.
“This is about building a dynasty, not just a team,” said Smith. “We want to redefine what success looks like in college athletics—and that begins with empowering leaders who understand how to integrate talent, resources, and culture in a sustainable way.”
The Coaching Question
With Day now stepping away from day-to-day coaching, attention has turned to who will take the reins on the sideline. While no official announcement has been made, reports suggest that offensive coordinator Brian Hartline and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles are top candidates. Either hire would maintain continuity, something Day emphasized in his statement.
“This program is built on unity, culture, and shared vision,” Day said. “I’m excited to take on a role that allows me to amplify that vision and ensure we are setting the gold standard in every aspect of our operations—from development to recruitment to competitive excellence.”
Day also emphasized his continued involvement in major football decisions, including personnel, strategic hires, and NIL partnerships.
Implications for the Sport
Ohio State’s decision could reverberate across college football. The move represents a bold recognition that coaching alone is no longer sufficient to navigate the complexities of modern collegiate athletics. Programs now require corporate-style leadership to thrive in the hypercompetitive world shaped by player empowerment, NIL economics, and media deals.
Experts predict that other blue bloods may soon follow suit, potentially establishing “general manager” roles at schools like Alabama, Georgia, and USC. It could also incentivize universities to invest more in the executive functions of athletics—recruiting departments, NIL collectives, player relations, and analytics—ushering in a new era where football programs are run like Fortune 500 companies.
“This isn’t just a contract extension,” said ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “It’s a paradigm shift. Ryan Day is becoming the prototype of what future college football leadership will look like.”
A New Dynasty?
For Ohio State fans, the announcement is a cause for celebration. With top-tier talent on the roster, elite recruiting classes lined up, and now a visionary general manager at the helm, the Buckeyes seem poised to dominate in the years ahead. The combination of institutional investment and innovative leadership could mark the beginning of a dynasty unlike anything seen in the sport before.
Only time will tell how the rest of college football responds—but one thing is clear: the game has changed, and Ohio State just made the first move.
