Ohio State announced a three-year contract extension Tuesday to keep Ryan Day on the Buckeyes’ sideline through at least the 2026 season.
The deal is expected to be approved by the university’s board of trustees on Thursday.
Day, 40, guided Ohio State to a 13-1 record and a No. 3 final ranking in his first full season in 2019. He led the program to the Big Ten title and became the first Buckeyes coach to be named Big Ten Coach of the Year since Earle Bruce in 1979.
“Ryan Day’s management of this football program, from mentoring and leading our student-athletes in their academic pursuits and off-field endeavors to coaching them on the playing field, has been exceptional,” athletic director Gene Smith said in a news release.
Day, who earned $4.5 million last season, will receive a raise to $5.375 million retroactive to Feb. 1. His annual rate will increase to $6 million effective July 1, and the university also will contribute $1 million to his retirement fund on Dec. 31. He will make $6.5 million in 2021 and $7.6 million in 2022. After that, raises will be determined by the athletic director and must be approved by the board.
Day, who was 3-0 in 2018 as the acting head coach during Urban Meyer’s season-opening suspension, is 16-1 overall.
The Buckeyes won 13 consecutive games by an average of more than 36 points last season, including a 34-21 win against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. Ohio State’s season ended with a 29-23 loss to Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
