EDITOR’S NOTE: The following post contains stories about mental health struggles and suicide. Viewer’s discretion is advised.
Ryan Day was just eight years old when his father died by suicide. Now, as the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, that devastating childhood tragedy has become the driving force behind one of the most significant mental health initiatives in college sports.
What began as a deeply personal source of pain has since evolved into a mission, complete with programs that have reached over 200,000 students across the nation and are funded by millions in donations from Day and his wife, Nina.
How Did Ryan Day’s Father’s Death Shape His Life?
Raymond Day took his own life on January 20, 1988. At the time, Ryan was eight, and his younger brothers, Chris and Tim, were only seven and five. In an instant, three young boys lost their father, and their world was turned upside down.
Almost immediately, Ryan stepped into a role that no child should ever have to fill. At just nine years old, he became the man of the house while his mother, Lisa, worked multiple jobs to support the family. He shouldered responsibilities far beyond his years, actively helping raise his younger brothers.
However, the loss created a wound that never truly healed. Ryan often found himself watching other kids celebrate with their fathers after games, a painful reminder that fueled a mix of sadness and anger over what he had lost.
That resentment eventually transformed into motivation, creating what Day describes as a chip on his shoulder. It became his engine, pushing him to work harder than most because he felt he had something to prove that others did not.
For most of his adult life, Day buried that pain. The breakthrough finally came during a recruiting visit in 2018Â to a high school that had tragically experienced multiple student suicides. The trip forced him to confront his own trauma while simultaneously recognizing how many young people were struggling in a similar darkness.
Then, in 2020, Day decided to break decades of silence about his father’s death. Before going public, he knew he had to prepare his own family first. He sat down with his eldest son, RJ, who was 11 years old at the time, to carefully explain that his grandfather had died by suicide.
Only after that difficult conversation did Day share his story publicly. He wanted his children to hear it directly from him rather than discovering it online or from someone else.
Donations to the Christine and Ryan Day Fund for Mental Wellness have increased post-championship. In the latest episode of the Buckeye Fever Podcast, Day emphasizes the importance of mental health.
Full Episode: https://t.co/0ppkXgz5mz pic.twitter.com/k1ikXXRUfj— FOX 28 Columbus (@fox28columbus) February 19, 2025
Soon after, he announced the Ryan and Christina Day Fund for Pediatric and Adolescent Wellness at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The Days committed $100,000 to mental health treatment programs through the “On Our Sleeves” initiative, which began their systematic approach to youth mental wellness.
What Mental Health Programs Has Ryan Day Created at Ohio State?
Ryan Day didn’t just stop after writing the first check. He leveraged his influential platform as Ohio State’s head coach to build something far more comprehensive.
At Ohio State, Day established what he calls a “Circle of Care” around every athlete. This program includes two full-time psychologists, two athletic counselors, and a part-time psychiatrist, all dedicated to the mental health of student-athletes.
However, the most significant changes are not just in the formal programs but in how the team operates. As Men’s Health reported, you might see something you would never expect in football — after practice, players sit in a circle and discuss books.
The entire team reads Joshua Medcalf’s “Chop Wood Carry Water” together, with different players leading discussions about how the book’s lessons apply to their lives. It fosters a kind of open, vulnerable conversation that football culture has traditionally avoided.
Day constantly tells his players that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Under his leadership, admitting to struggles makes you a leader, not a target.
The impact of their work now extends nationwide through the Days’ expanding programs. Their “Day Time Break” curriculum reaches over 200,000 middle and high school students in English and Spanish, delivering mental wellness tools directly into classrooms.
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This initiative could not be more critical. Recent surveys show that 15% of parents report their children shut down when facing disappointment, while 3% say their kids simply give up when challenges arise.
In what felt like a moment of destiny, the timing of Ohio State’s national championship resonated deeply. The Buckeyes won the title on January 20, exactly 37 years to the day after Raymond Day’s death. Ryan later said his father was the first person he thought of when they claimed the title.
Through years of determined advocacy and millions of dollars in funding, Ryan Day has turned his childhood’s worst day into a lifeline for countless families across America.
While on-field success will never be as important as ensuring your players’ happiness and well-being, Day hasn’t been a slouch. After securing his first national title last year with the Buckeyes, the Ohio State coach has reloaded his roster in search of a second-straight title. That campaign begins Saturday when the No. 3 Buckeyes take on No. 1 Texas in Columbus.
