Ryan Day reveals if he, Lou Holtz have patched things up after heated postgame comments last season

Ryan Day and Lou Holtz have an interesting history dating back to last season when the former Notre Dame coach and Hall of Famer questioned Ohio State’s toughness.

Following an epic win in South Bend for the Buckeyes, Day said “I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is right now.” He didn’t wait for the press conference, he said that on national television.

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Day has a lot of respect for current coach Marcus Freeman and knows it’ll be another battle against the Fighting Irish for the national championship.

“Speaking of that, I’m just curious, have you and Lou Holtz ever talk since then, either patching things up or comments between you two,” a reporter asked Day during Sunday’s CFP webinar.

“No,” Day said, keeping it short.

As far as the 2024 team is concerned, Day acknowledged the challenge of Notre Dame and what Ohio State needs to bring to the table to win it all.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Notre Dame, and certainly what Marcus has done there,” Day said. “I think they’re a gritty group, they’re a tough group. They’re a great program, and the last two years have been a battle playing against them, and we know it’s going to be the same way every year is a different group of guys in a different situation. This is a different situation. It’ll be the same way. 

“But no, I mean every game, you know, you’re either trying to prove somebody right or prove somebody wrong. It doesn’t matter when it is and it’ll be the same thing in this game here.”

Toughness questions aside, Day noted how the expanded playoff has been a benefit for college football, especially for Ohio State.

“Very, very grateful. I think everybody in the program is to be in this situation, you know, for a lot of reasons, but I do think the new format has allowed our team to grow and build throughout the season,” Day said. “And as much as losses hurt, you know, they really allow us as coaches and players to take a hard look at the issues and get them addressed, and then, you know, it’s about the business of getting them fixed as time goes on. And so I think that’s really been the biggest, you know, thing that I’ve learned about this format.”