Ryan Day buyout, contract details as Ohio State Buckeyes coach

Ryan Day buyout, contract details as Ohio State Buckeyes coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Ohio State Buckeyes coach Ryan Day is facing pressure amid the Buckeyes' recent struggles, raising questions about his long-term future in Columbus. However, the university would face a significant financial roadblock if officials decided to make a change. The $75 million remaining on Day's contract is a huge problem.

The criticism of Day's job intensified following Ohio State's disappointing performance against Oregon. The Buckeyes opened the game with a 14-0 lead before surrendering 38 unanswered points. Day's team went on to lose 41-28.

Day has guided Ohio State to a national championship, two Big Ten titles and an 87-14 overall record. However, his struggles against Michigan and recent difficulties against Indiana have prompted questions about whether he can maintain the program's championship expectations.

Ohio State rewarded Day with a five-year, $87.5 million contract following his national championship victory over Notre Dame in 2025. The agreement followed a successful College Football Playoff run that included victories over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas before blowing out the Irish for the title.

Day subsequently signed a seven-year contract extension that keeps him under contract through the 2031 season.

Ryan Day buyout terms

Day's contract could make an immediate coaching change difficult for Ohio State. According to FOX Sports, the Buckeyes would be responsible for approximately $75 million if they fired Day without cause. The money represents the guaranteed salary owed over the remaining five-plus years of his agreement.

OSU athletic director Ross Bjork and university leadership would have to take the large sum into consideration as they evaluate the football program's direction. Although Ohio State is one of college football's wealthiest programs, parting ways with Day isn't good for business.

Day's accomplishments have kept him in Columbus. He delivered the program's first national championship since Urban Meyer in 2014 and guided the Buckeyes to consistent success in the Big Ten. However, expectations remain exceptionally high. Ohio State's inability to consistently defeat Michigan has become a major talking point year after year since Day took the job. He holds a 2-4 record against the Wolverines.

Ryan Day bonuses

Day's contract also includes incentives tied to team performance, postseason accomplishments and academic achievements. His seven-year extension carries an annual compensation structure of approximately $12.5 million, with opportunities to earn additional performance-based incentives. The agreement reportedly provides up to $1.55 million in maximum performance and achievement bonuses.

Those incentives include payouts connected to Big Ten accomplishments and College Football Playoff appearances. There are also academic performance-based bonuses. For the 2025-26 academic year, Day earned a $100,000 academic bonus after Ohio State's football program recorded a cumulative grade-point average near 3.4

The academic incentive structure includes three achievement levels:
3.0 GPA: $50,000 bonus

3.3 GPA: $100,000 bonus

3.5 GPA or higher: $150,000 bonus

The latest payout marked Day's third consecutive year earning an academic bonus, although the amount doubled his previous $50,000 payouts.

Ohio State faces a complicated decision. If the program considers moving on from Day, they better have a plan for better in place. Otherwise, there's a wasted opportunity with $75 million out the door.

At 6-3, this is officially the worst season under Day, who hasn't had more than two losses in a season before now. Also, this is the worst mark for the program since 2011.

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