© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Ohio State football coach Ryan Day quieted his doubters with a national championship win over Notre Dame on Monday night. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit was emotional after the fact.
He was happy for the head coach due to negativity received from the Buckeyes‘ fanbase following a loss to Michigan. Day turned the tables in the ultimate redemption story.
Herbstreit has been vocal in his bashing of the ‘lunatic fringe’ portion of Ohio State supporters that wanted Day gone after his regular season finale. That rivalry defeat represented the fourth straight in the series leading some to question whether he was the right man for the job.
Prior to a game against Tennessee, Herbie was heard saying that the Buckeyes’ homefield advantage might actually be a negative in the College Football Playoff opener.
“I don’t know if it would have been better for Ohio State to go on the road to get away from their home crowd that’ll be booing after third down, not converting and their punter comes out. Booing Ryan Day.”
-Kirk Herbstreit
The doubters were loud and proud leading into the postseason. Those naysayers were silent after Ohio State’s incredible run.
The Buckeyes landed four consecutive double-digit wins against Top 10 foes. The avenged a loss to Oregon in blowout fashion. They bested two SEC rivals. They capped it with an 11-point win over Notre Dame.
Ohio State jumped out to a 31-7 lead in that national championship matchup, and while the game got a bit close for comfort in the final moments, the Buckeyes ultimately prevailed. Ryan Day was overcome with emotion after the fact.
Following the game’s conclusion, Kirk Herbstreit commented on the win and what it meant for Day and his team. He got emotional upon seeing the head coach come out on top.
Kirk Herbstreit gets emotional on the postgame show.
“When I call these games I’m incredibly objective. I love all of these Ohio State teams, but this team because of what they went through to get to this point, you’re just happy.” pic.twitter.com/BylD7WBQ3N
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 21, 2025
Across seven seasons in Columbus, Day’s posted a 70-10 overall record. That includes two national title appearances, and one championship win.
Herbstreit’s son is a member of that Ohio State football team. The analyst was also appreciative with how Day kept him close after dealing with off-the-field setbacks.
“It’s been a tough year for my family and I have a lot of gratitude for Ryan Day..
I was just so happy for him and his players..
My wife was in the booth with me and we were looking down watching our son” @KirkHerbstreit #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/hCaju4KUsK
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 21, 2025
Day’s wife admitted to receiving death threats after losing to the Wolverines. His son described the extensive safety measures the family was forced to take due to that season ending defeat.
“I hear the stories behind the curtain, I know what he and his wife and his family go through. It’s really, it’s tough. It’s tough to be a coach at a premium school where you’re expected to win every game. He handled it with such class.”
-Kirk Herbstreit
A few short weeks later, many of those critics are celebrating. While some lost faith, Day showed that he could right the ship. Kirk Herbstreit was happy to see the Buckeyes come out victorious.