Nick Saban calls out ‘absolutely ridiculous’ Ryan Day criticism

Nick Saban gave an impassioned defense of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day on “College Gameday” on Monday that seemed to come from an all too familiar place for the former Alabama coach. 

Day took severe heat for the Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan in the final week of the regular season, which raised questions over whether Ohio State – despite a 10-2 record – would be able to compete for a national title.

Saban, who spent 17 years of his legendary 28-year career coaching college football at Alabama, fired back at the “naysayers” who had questioned Day while also understanding what negativity can do when it surrounds a program. 

“I think it is absolutely ridiculous that Ryan Day has been criticized the way he has,” Saban said. “Having been a coach, having coached at Ohio State and lived in the state for 12 or 14 years, I’m telling you, when the fans are negative and the media gets negative it affects so many things. You have to give the guy credit. He built the roster, he’s built the roster for three years and it’s gotten better. 

“His coaches have made the players better and they made a lot of improvement and they’ve overcome adversity, especially in the Michigan game. We should be giving the guy credit and being positive, because every time you’re negative it affects recruiting. It affects everything that you do and he’s been able to overcome the naysayers and still get to the national championship game. Win or lose, that guy deserves respect.”

Day may have the chance to stick it to one of his biggest critics on Monday when Ohio State faces Notre Dame for the national championship in Atlanta.

Former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz began a feud with Day in 2023 when he questioned the Buckeyes’ toughness ahead of a game between the two schools. 

Day did not take lightly to the comments and fired back at Holtz, who stuck to his guns. 

Holtz is expected to be on hand Monday, according to The Post’s Zach Braziller.