7/9/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
Ryan Day was one of three finalists for the award in 2025.
ATLANTA – Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has been named to the 2026 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award Preseason Watch List, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. announced Thursday.Â
Day, who enters his eighth season as head coach of the Buckeyes, was a finalist for the Dodd Trophy in 2025. The award is presented annually to the FBS head coach whose program reflects the highest standards of scholarship, leadership and integrity, while also achieving success on the field.Â
Under Day's leadership, Ohio State has become one of the premier programs in college football. Since taking over in 2019, he has compiled an 82-12 record, the highest winning percentage among active FBS head coaches, while leading the Buckeyes to five College Football Playoff appearances and 10 championships.Â
Day's crowning achievement came in 2024, when he guided Ohio State to its ninth national championship and first of the College Football Playoff's 12-team era. The Buckeyes defeated Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame during a historic postseason run, becoming the first program to win four CFP games in a single season.Â
Ohio State has consistently performed at an elite level on both sides of the ball during Day's tenure. Â
The Buckeyes have ranked No. 1 nationally in scoring offense and total offense, while also leading the nation in total defense, scoring defense and passing defense in multiple seasons. His teams are 27-11 against Top 25 opponents and have earned eight postseason victories.Â
In addition to on-field success, Day's program has excelled in player development and academics. He has coached 27 first-team All-Americans, seven Heisman Trophy finalists and 69 NFL Draft selections, including 20 first-round picks.Â
Ohio State has also set program records in the classroom during Day's tenure, including 101 OSU Scholar-Athletes in 2025-26 and 61 Academic All-Big Ten honorees in 2025. The Buckeyes have posted four consecutive program-record Graduation Success Rate scores and earned a perfect 1,000 Academic Progress Rate.Â
Day is one of 20 head coaches named to this year's preseason watch list, which includes representatives from all Power Four conferences, as well as the Pac-12 and one independent program. The Big Ten leads all conferences with seven selections.Â
The Dodd Trophy, one of college football's most prestigious coaching honors, evaluates candidates based on success on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Coaches must be in at least their second year at their current school and have an Academic Progress Rate above the national average.Â
A midseason watch list will be released during the fall, with the winner announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Â
Ohio State Preseason Honors
- Â Phil Steele:Â
- Six Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.Â
- Athlon Sports:Â
- Seven Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.
- Walter Camp:Â
- Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and redshirt junior offensive lineman Austin Siereveld were placed on the first team while redshirt sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin was listed as a preseason second team selection by the organization.Â
- Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List:Â
