It’s unlikely that most newly appointed college presidents would be questioned during the first few minutes of their press conference regarding the head football coach’s situation, but that’s the way things work at Ohio State.

And after the Buckeyes lost their rivalry game against Michigan for the third consecutive year, Walter “Ted” Carter, the new university president, was the most recent to comment on Ryan Day’s job security.

Carter stated, “I have a great respect for the biggest rivalries that exist in the country,” according to Columbus Dispatch reporter Colin Gay. “As someone who oversaw the Naval Academy, I can say that the rivalry between the Army and Navy is second only to that between Ohio State and Michigan. The objectives are to win a national title each year and to win the Big Ten, I believe Ryan Day would agree. That wasn’t how we met.

“But Ryan Day runs a fantastic program. He’s our coach. I’m proud that he’s our coach. And he will continue to be our coach.”

Carter stated, “I have a great respect for the biggest rivalries that exist in the country,” according to Columbus Dispatch reporter Colin Gay. “As someone who oversaw the Naval Academy, I can say that the rivalry between the Army and Navy is second only to that between Ohio State and Michigan. The objectives are to win a national title each year and to win the Big Ten, I believe Ryan Day would agree. That wasn’t how we met.

Day also missed out on winning a national championship on several occasions, including the 2020 title game loss to Alabama and the 2019 and 2022 CFP defeats to Georgia and Clemson due to questionable calls made by the referees.

If a play or two had been called differently in those situations, the story about the head coach might have turned out quite differently.

Unfortunately, Ohio State now finds itself behind its main opponent, who is playing for the national title on Monday night. That’s not where it wants to be, and Day’s legacy will depend on how he reacts in 2024 and maybe beyond.

Luckily for Buckeyes supporters, he appears to be adjusting well to this offseason.

Quarterback Will Howard and center Seth McLaughlin have already been acquired by the Scarlet and Gray through the transfer portal. They also signed a top-five recruiting class, according to 247Sports’ aggregate rankings, and have strong ties to Ole Miss transfer running back Quinshon Judkins.

The Buckeyes’ offseason is going well, especially with the return of Tyleik Williams, Lathan Ransom, and Jack Sawyer as well as the possible return of Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson, Denzel Burke, and JT Tuimoloau.

To feel secure in his job, though, Day will need to turn that offseason success into a victory versus Michigan and a Big Ten championship.