Sports

Ryan Day Redeemed By Missile Golf Shot After Having Athleticism Questioned In Ohio State Softball Outing

#ryan day
by
Ryan Day at the Memorial Tournament Pro-Am

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


Ryan Day took part in the Memorial Tournament Pro-Am this week in Dublin, Ohio. He played alongside former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban and pro golfer Justin Thomas. Not a bad group!

Day impressed with his abilities from the tee. It offered a stark contrast to a scene witnessed a few months earlier.

Ryan Day is fresh off a four-game national championship run that ended with a win over Notre Dame. The Buckeyes took down the likes of Tennessee, Texas, and Oregon along the way as they flexed their muscles in dominant fashion.

The title got a monkey off of Day’s back. He’d previously received criticism for his lack of big-game success despite often boasting one of college football’s most talented rosters. This season was no different.

The Buckeyes lost a game to the rival Ducks early in the year with a chance at grabbing a No. 1 ranking on the line. They then fell to a 6-5 Michigan team in the season finale.

Those were the two biggest games on the schedule. Day lost both. Calls for his job quickly followed.

Ohio State stayed loyal to it leader while its head coach and his family received death threats. Extra security was needed for the playoff run. By postseason’s end, that protection was unnecessary.

Ryan Day won the fanbase back over with his national championship run. It was his first as a head coach. Now, the task of maintaining success follows.

He was able to get some advice on Wednesday from two people that know that feeling well. Day teed off with Nick Saban and Justin Thomas at the Memorial Tournament Pro-Am.

Ryan Day launched a missile golf drive that nixed a negative narrative.

Saban knows the extreme difficultly that handling success can offer. He was able to successfully navigate those difficulties by winning seven national titles.

Year after year, folks waited for the train to slow. It never did. Even one of his least renowned teams finished a botched snap away from the title game before his abrupt retirement.

Saban offered some advice to Day as he attempts to defend his belt.

@97.1thefanNick Saban chats about golfing with Ryan Day and recruiting Julian Sayin♬ original sound – 97.1 The Fan

Thomas, too, knows the ups and downs that sports can provide. He’s won 16 career events and racked up over $68 million in total earnings. He’s also experienced tough rounds and bad days. That’s golf.

Thomas, an Alabama grad, left impressed with Ryan Day. He said he couldn’t have been a nicer person. He also appreciated the coach’s openness to talking and teaching football while on the golf course.

@golf_comJustin Thomas played with Nick Saban and Ryan Day this morning. Not a bad Pro-Am group.♬ original sound – GOLF_com

That football IQ wasn’t the only thing to leave an impression, though. A viral video of Day absolutely smoking a drive from the tee box is now circulating social media.

His swing looks effortless. The drive was right down the fairway. It offered a much different visual than what was seen just a few months earlier!

Ohio State softball made the football coach look silly.

@birdk45 oh just a normal day at practice #ohiostate #osu #softball #nationalchamps #gobucks #ryanday ♬ original sound – CamDerbyTV

His softball swing is much different than his golf swing. That was evident while facing off against Buckeyes pitchers in February.

Day could barely make contact at the plate. He looked as unathletic as imaginable!

@cbssportsWe’ve got contact from the national championship winning head coach!♬ original sound – CBS Sports

Ryan Day redeemed himself on the golf course this week. He has some athletic ability. He flashed on the golf course this week. The head coach appears to be enjoying the offseason. He’ll soon get back to the gridiron with a season opener vs. Texas quickly approaching.