Ryan Day describes differences between coaching in college, NFL

Before becoming the head coach at Ohio State, Ryan Day had a long journey in coaching. That included coaching at every level from FCS football to the NFL.

While making an appearance on It’s All About the Team, Day shared some of the differences he sees between coaching in college and coaching in the NFL.

“One of the things that I learned quickly in the NFL is that you have to bring it every day,” Ryan Day said. “Those guys will respect you. They’ll listen to you. But you have to have the competence. Every day in front of those guys, and if they think they’re getting better, they’ll listen to you. I think as a coaching staff that’s really important in that league, more than maybe even in college.”

Ryan Day started his career in college as a tight ends coach at New Hampshire. He’d go on to make multiple stops, mostly in the Northeast, at places like Boston College and Temple. Then, in 2015, he made the jump to the NFL to coach the Philadelphia Eagles. He’d later coach the San Francisco 49ers before returning to college and Ohio State.

“You have to know what you’re doing in college,” Day said. “But in that league, they have to feel like you’re giving them an edge, you’re getting them better every day.”

There are some notable differences in the NFL and college. One of those is the simple fact that NFL players are professionals. That comes with differences in pay, age, and experience in wider variances than college coaches typically need to deal with. On top of that, rosters are much smaller and there is plenty of turnover.

Ryan Day recalls what got him into coaching

Ryan Day began coaching in 2002 at New Hampshire, a year after he finished his playing career there. It was a decision that he attributed to his competitiveness.

“It’s the competitiveness. I think I would have a hard time not having that competitive fire and just adrenaline week in and week out. I love that part of it, it’s how I’ve always been,” Day said.

“I’ve always been around people. I like being around the players, I like being around the coaches. We wake up in the morning around people that you like, that want to be great. The challenge of that is why I got into coaching.”

Ryan Day’s time at New Hampshire likely led to Chip Kelly being Ohio State’s current offensive coordinator. While there, Day both played and coached under Kelly when he was the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator.