Ryan Day likens CFB to dinosaur extinction: ‘Adapt or die’

Ohio State coach Ryan Day recently watched a Netflix documentary series about dinosaurs, and his thoughts soon turned to college football.

The sport has changed dramatically in recent years, even for the biggest and most powerful programs such as Ohio State, as players flow in and out of locker rooms, and salary demands rise. Day thinks the challenge for national contending programs has some parallels to what the dinosaurs faced millions of years ago.

“Some dinosaurs figured out to continue to adapt, and some died,” Day said Tuesday. “I guess that’s a little extreme, but I think it’s kind of the way it is in college football. The people who know how to adapt are going to continue to move on, and the ones who don’t, they die. So as frustrating as it all is, as much as we all want to just pull our hair out and throw our hands up and realize this is all extremely crazy … either you adapt or you die.”

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Ohio State lost more than 30 players to the transfer portal after the 2025 season, most of them reserves, but also contributors such as running back James Peoples and offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola. The Buckeyes also brought in some notable transfers, including Alabama defenders Qua Russaw and James Smith.

Day recently spoke with NFL staff members at Ohio State’s pro day, who questioned his decision to remain in college football. After winning its first national title under Day in 2024, Ohio State lost to Miami in the CFP quarterfinals in December. Day is 82-12 in seven seasons as Buckeyes coach.

“This is another phase of it,” Day said. “Half of your team is new, they haven’t played a down of football here, and we’re not allowed to lose a game. So we’re going to adapt. We’re not going to die.”