Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day has donated his full $1.4 million.
Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day has donated his full $1.4 million bonus. In an inspiring display of generosity and leadership, Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day has donated his entire $1.4 million in bonuses and endorsement earnings to various charitable causes and organizations supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
Day, who has been at the helm of the Buckeyes’ football program since 2019, made the announcement earlier this week, expressing his deep desire to make a meaningful impact off the field. His donation will benefit a variety of nonprofits, including local shelters, food banks, and national initiatives focused on housing security, mental health, and long-term solutions for homelessness.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had in my career,” Day said in a statement. “This is about using the platform I’ve been given to help those in need. Homelessness is a crisis that affects too many people, and I feel a personal responsibility to be part of the solution.”
The donation includes performance bonuses and personal endorsement earnings he received over the past year, totaling $1.4 million. Day’s decision has received widespread praise from fans, players, and colleagues, who have long recognized his commitment to both athletic excellence and community service.
University officials also applauded the move, with Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith calling it “a powerful example of servant leadership.” Smith noted that Day has consistently emphasized the importance of character, empathy, and giving back, both in his coaching and in his everyday actions.
Day and his wife, Nina, have previously supported mental health programs and youth-focused initiatives through The Ryan and Nina Day Resilience Fund, which they launched in 2020.
This latest donation reaffirms Day’s commitment to tackling social issues and using his influence to bring attention to challenges that often go unnoticed in the world of major college athletics.
As the college football world gears up for the upcoming season, Ryan Day has already proven that true leadership extends far beyond the sidelines.
