Ryan Day finally delivered what Ohio State fans had been waiting for: a national championship.

A new mindset in Columbus

But instead of taking a victory lap, Day is already working to make sure his program avoids any hint of complacency. As he told The Athletic, the Buckeyes can’t afford to live in the past, no matter how sweet the celebration was.

The day after the title, Day gathered his team inside the Buckeyes’ team facility for a meeting that set the tone. Seniors were honored for their leadership, then stepped aside so the next group could take their places at the front of the room. Day made it clear that the standard has been set, and now it’s on the new leaders to carry it forward.

Moving on from the championship glow

Around the facility, reminders of the title run are easy to find, from blown-up photos of big plays to championship banners. But in private spaces, some of those reminders have been pulled down at the request of team leaders. Their point was simple: the 2025 Buckeyes haven’t won anything yet.

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Day has embraced that mindset. With 14 players gone to the NFL, including his starting quarterback and much of the defensive front, the challenge is not about rebuilding but reloading. He leans heavily on strength coach Mickey Marotti and the veteran leaders in the locker room to keep urgency high.

Focused on what’s ahead

For Day, the work isn’t about repeating history but about preparing for the battles to come. Even coaches like Larry Johnson, who lost his entire starting defensive line, are approaching the season with urgency instead of relief.

Day has become just the fifth Ohio State coach to win a national title, yet questions remain. He still hasn’t solved the Michigan problem, and critics won’t let him forget it. But as he explained in his July interview, the key is staying locked in on daily improvement, not outside noise.

Ohio State’s championship moment is in the rearview. Day is making sure his players understand that staying at the top takes more than one trophy; it takes building something that lasts.

First test

By now, everyone knows. The first test of the year is a big one, the favorites to take the crown from the Buckeyes – Steve Sarkisian and his Texas Longhorns on Saturday.

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