College Football Fans Thinking Of Ryan Day's Family After Scary News

12/31/2024 09:56 AM

ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum believes the pressure surrounding Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has cooled down heading into the College Football Playoff quarterfinals against No. 1 Oregon.

"I think most of it has quieted down," Finebaum said on Get Up! on Tuesday. "The win over Tennessee being so decisive really helped him. I think, for now, there's always going to be pressure. He could win the national championship and there would be naysayers in Columbus

"I think, for now, he's in better shape. Let me say that. Not great shape, but better shape."

While Day and the Buckeyes might be in better shape, things are still pretty crazy in Columbus. According to ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, the Ohio State head coach had to get 24/7 armed security outside of his Columbus home, due to threats from the fan base.

"I'm a friend of Ryan Day's," Herbstreit said. "I hear things that he and his family go through. Especially Nina, his wife. His son, who gets death threats from multiple, multiple people. And what it's doing to them as a family. ... When I hear that, it really frustrates me that he has to deal with putting an armed guard outside of his house 24/7 for his own fanbase. That hurts my heart that that is a reality for the Ohio State coach. 

"Any time you hear me talk about the lunatic fringe, I get frustrated with that group of fans. Every fanbase has them. I just think the Ohio State fanbase, because they're so passionate, I think that very local minority of 15 or 20% is as strong at Ohio State as it is anywhere."

No matter what you think of Day as a head coach, that is not OK. College football fans are thinking of Day and his family heading into the Rose Bowl.

"That's a completely normal fanbase," one fan joked.

"Some people need to go walk on a beach or a trail and get some perspective. It's The Game but it's still a damn game. Sheeeeesh," one fan added.

"Not cool! It's a football game," one fan added.

"I don't like Ohio state but this is overboard," one fan added.

Day and his family are currently in California, ahead of the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.

Kickoff between the Buckeyes and the Ducks is scheduled for 5 p.m. E.T. 

The College Football Playoff quarterfinals game will air on ESPN.