ESPN REPORT: Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach Ryan Day Shocks College Football World, Turns Down Stunning $7.5 Million Offer from Michigan Wolverines and Notre Dame, Vows Loyalty to Georgia Bulldogs
In a stunning twist that has sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, ESPN has reported that Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has turned down a jaw-dropping $7.5 million annual offer from archrival Michigan Wolverines and historic powerhouse Notre Dame. Even more baffling to fans and analysts alike, Day declared his unwavering loyalty not to his current program, but to the Georgia Bulldogs—a move that has left the college football world reeling and full of speculation.
The Stunning Offer
According to multiple sources cited by ESPN, both the Michigan Wolverines and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish approached Day in a behind-the-scenes attempt to lure him away from Ohio State with a highly lucrative offer. Each program, facing recent setbacks and looking for a high-profile leader to steer them back to national prominence, reportedly put forth a contract valued at $7.5 million per year, complete with performance bonuses and full control over football operations.
Michigan’s interest in Ryan Day is particularly shocking given the storied rivalry between the Wolverines and Buckeyes. For decades, the Ohio State–Michigan rivalry has been one of the most heated in all of sports, with coaching decisions often seen through the lens of this bitter competition. For Michigan to attempt to poach Day, and for Day to even consider such an offer, has only intensified the controversy.
Notre Dame’s involvement, though less inflammatory, reflects the school’s desperation to reclaim its spot among the elite programs after years of falling short in major bowl games and the College Football Playoff.
Ryan Day’s Response: A Twist Nobody Saw Coming
What came next, however, was beyond anyone’s expectations. In a carefully worded statement provided to ESPN, Ryan Day confirmed that he had received multiple offers but had turned them down. What shocked the football community most wasn’t that he declined the offers—it was the explanation he gave.
> “I appreciate the interest shown by both Michigan and Notre Dame,” Day said. “However, my heart and long-term vision are aligned with the Georgia Bulldogs. I’ve long admired their program, their culture, and their commitment to excellence. While I remain the head coach at Ohio State, I consider myself philosophically and strategically loyal to what Georgia is building.”
Loyalty to Georgia—A New Kind of Allegiance?
Day’s use of the phrase “philosophically and strategically loyal” to Georgia has stirred confusion, admiration, and criticism across the college football world. Many fans are struggling to comprehend how a sitting head coach of one of the top programs in the nation can openly declare loyalty—of any kind—to a direct competitor, especially one that has recently dethroned the likes of Alabama to become the dominant force in college football.
Analysts have speculated that Day’s comments reflect a deeper appreciation for Georgia’s recruiting methods, defensive prowess, and leadership under Kirby Smart. Rather than a literal pledge to switch allegiances, Day may be signaling a desire to emulate Georgia’s model within the Ohio State program.
Still, such an open declaration is unprecedented and has raised eyebrows among Buckeye faithful, with some questioning whether Day’s heart is truly in Columbus.
Fallout and Reaction
The reaction across the college football community has been swift and intense. Michigan fans are furious—not just because their overture was rejected, but because Day’s statement seems to praise a third program entirely. Notre Dame supporters, too, feel snubbed and disrespected by what they perceive as a lack of seriousness in the process.
Ohio State’s athletic department issued a statement shortly after ESPN’s report, attempting to clarify Day’s remarks:
> “Coach Day remains fully committed to Ohio State. His comments about Georgia were in reference to strategic admiration and should not be misconstrued as disloyalty. We continue to support Coach Day in his leadership of our football program.”
Social media has been ablaze with memes, fan backlash, and rampant speculation about what Day’s next move might be. Some insiders believe he may be setting the stage for a future transition to an administrative or consulting role in the SEC, while others argue he’s simply trying to push Ohio State to adapt to changing realities in the sport.
What Comes Next?
As college football continues to evolve rapidly with the transfer portal, NIL deals, and expanding playoff formats, coaching loyalties and strategies are being tested like never before. Ryan Day’s actions—turning down massive offers from two elite programs while publicly aligning himself with a third—could mark the beginning of a new era where traditional rivalries and allegiances mean less than vision, culture, and adaptability.
What remains certain is that Day will be under a microscope more than ever this season. Every play call, every loss, every recruiting decision will be viewed through the lens of his “loyalty to Georgia” comment.
For now, Buckeye Nation holds its breath, Michigan regroups from a bold (and failed) gamble, Notre Dame reevaluates its search for a new face, and the Georgia Bulldogs quietly watch from atop the college football mountain, perhaps wondering just how deep Ryan Day’s admiration truly runs