Introduction
Ryan Patrick Day has become one of the most talked-about figures in college football. As the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, his success on the field is matched only by the viral moments off it. From contract extensions to rumors about a piercing, Day remains in the spotlight. Let’s dive into his background, recent press conferences, physical stats, salary, and coaching record — and clear up that piercing controversy once and for all.
Piercing Speculation: What’s the Story?
One of the more surprising viral moments surrounding Ryan Day came during a high-profile game where social media exploded over what appeared to be a nipple piercing beneath his polo shirt.
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Fans on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) speculated wildly, with some joking that Day “made a bet with his team” or was simply embracing a bold new look.
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Barstool Sports chimed in with humor, noting that if true, it would take a “manly” coach to show it off so openly.
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However, as more photo evidence came to light — particularly higher-resolution images from the same appearance — the piercing claim was debunked.
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Athlon Sports confirmed the speculation likely originated from a distorted or manipulated image.
Bottom line: There’s no credible confirmation that Ryan Day has a nipple piercing — the viral photo was almost certainly a prank or image-edit.
Press Conference Moments
Ryan Day is no stranger to high-pressure media situations. He’s known for his calm, composed presence during press conferences, especially after major games and during contract negotiations. In a notable presser following Ohio State’s national championship, he expressed gratitude to the program’s leadership, coaching staff, players, and their families.
While there’s no specific “piercing press conference,” the recent social media uproar definitely became a side topic during media coverage. Reporters and fans alike parsed his comments, but Day mostly focused on football, not fashion.
How Tall Is Ryan Day?
There’s some discrepancy in reported height:
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DailyWikiBio lists his height as 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm).
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However, other sources such as Dislyte put him at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm).
Given the variance in publicly available profiles, it’s reasonable to estimate that Ryan Day is between 6’1″ and 6’3″.
Salary: What Does Ryan Day Make?
Ryan Day is among the highest paid college football coaches. Key details of his compensation:
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He signed a seven-year contract extension through 2031, with a reported $12.5 million annual value.
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According to USA TODAY, his 2025 total pay is about $12.575 million, which includes base salary and other compensation.
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Details of his contract include: a school buyout of $11.5 million, a coach’s own buyout, and a maximum performance bonus of $1.55 million.
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Earlier reports suggested a lower “base salary” (around $2 million), with the rest of his pay coming via media duties, sponsorships, and bonuses.
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ESPN noted that with his new deal, Day is the second-highest-paid head coach in college football, trailing only a few top names.
Coaching Record & Performance
Ryan Day’s impact as head coach at Ohio State has been remarkable:
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As of early reports, his overall head coaching record at OSU stands at 80–10.
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His teams’ postseason performance includes 6-4 in bowl games and 5-3 in College Football Playoffs.
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Under Day, Ohio State has won:
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1 National Championship (2024)
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2 Big Ten titles (2019, 2020)
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His winning percentage is very high — ESPN has highlighted that his .875 winning rate (at one point) was among the top for active coaches.
Personal & Background
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Born on March 12, 1979, in Manchester, New Hampshire.
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Played college football at the University of New Hampshire (1998–2001) as a quarterback and linebacker.
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Education: He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (UNH) and a master’s in Administrative Studies (Boston College).
Conclusion
Ryan Day is more than just a coach — he’s a cultural figure in college football. Between his competitive performance, big-time contract, and occasional viral moments, he’s captured the attention of fans well beyond the gridiron.
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Piercing? Probably not — the viral image was likely a prank.
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Press conferences? He handles them with poise, rarely getting sidetracked by offbeat rumors.
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Height? Somewhere around 6’1″–6’3″, depending on the source.
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Salary? At or near $12.5 million/year, including bonus and media pay.
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Record? Extremely strong, with a national championship, Big Ten titles, and a very high win rate.
