Ryan Day, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, is apparently still a little bitter over comments made by legendary former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz.
When asked if the two had spoken since an incident in which Holtz criticized Ohio State for dropping games to top-tier teams, Day simply replied, “No.”
The animosity has once again been highlighted as the Buckeyes are set to take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame for the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 20th in Atlanta.
Ohio State suffered losses to Michigan and Oregon in the regular season but have steamrolled powerhouse teams in the playoffs, scoring wins against Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas.
Day was asked about Holtz after his team took out the Longhorns 28-14.
Has Ohio State coach Ryan Day ever spoken to Lou Holtz after 2023’s spat between the two related to the Buckeyes’ matchup with Notre Dame that year?
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) January 12, 2025
“No.” pic.twitter.com/BWhUod0lRO
Ryan Day’s Viral Response To Lou Holtz
In case you need a refresher, Lou Holtz suggested Ryan Day’s Buckeyes were a little soft last year. And coach did not appreciate it one bit.
Holtz made the comments that drew Day’s ire in an episode of The Pat McAfee Show before Ohio State’s game against Notre Dame in September of 2023. Holtz was picking the Irish.
“(Day) has lost to Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, and Michigan twice,” Holtz said at the time. “And everybody that beats him does so because they are more physical than Ohio State. And I think Notre Dame will take that same approach.”
Oof.
Ohio State, though, got the win, 17-14, on a last-second rushing touchdown. Day fired back at Holtz during a post-game interview.
“I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is right now,” Day said. “What he said about our team, I cannot believe. This is a tough team right here. We’re proud to be from Ohio.”
“It’s always been Ohio against the world, and it’ll continue to be Ohio against the world. But I’ll tell you what: I love those kids. We’ve got a tough team.”
And here’s Ryan Day fired up over Lou Holtz: pic.twitter.com/kYkGAn5BAt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2023
RELATED: Planting a Flag At Ohio State Could Soon Be A Felony
Holtz Is Picking The Irish AGAIN
Even though Ohio State is a 9.5-point favorite right now, Lou Holtz is still not picking Ryan Day and his team in the National Championship game.
And again he seemed to suggest Notre Dame is the more physical team.
“In a one-game, winner-take-all, anything can happen. I like Notre Dame’s culture,” said Holtz. “They’re very physical, but they have to keep it close by forcing Ohio State’s offense off the field.”
“That puts pressure on Ohio State, which is used to winning and winning big. Ohio State is the better team, but I think Notre Dame finds a way to prevail.”
Will Day rub it in his face if the Buckeyes win again, or will Holtz be the one gloating this time around?
More about:College Football News