When you think of game-changers in college football, Ryan Day‘s name is impossible to ignore. Since stepping into the head coach role at Ohio State in 2019, Day hasn’t just kept the Buckeyes at the top-he’s redefined what dominance looks like. With a jaw-dropping 69-10 record, back-to-back Big Ten titles, and multiple College Football Playoff appearances, he has turned Ohio State into an unstoppable force.
Under his leadership, players like Justin Fields and J.K. Dobbins have thrived, making the Buckeyes a powerhouse in the sport. But beyond the football field, Ryan Day has another important role-being a devoted husband and father. Let’s take a look at the family that stands by his side.
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Who is Ryan Day’s wife?
Christina Spirou Day, affectionately known as ‘Nina,’ has been Ryan’s rock since childhood. Growing up together in Manchester, New Hampshire, their bond only strengthened over the years. They tied the knot in 2005, and since then, she has been a steadfast supporter of Ryan’s career, moving 11 times in 15 years to accommodate his coaching journey.
Nina has balanced the chaos of being a coach’s wife with raising their three children. Beyond her family role, she is a dedicated philanthropist. She and Ryan donated $1 million to the OSU Wexner Medical Center to support mental health initiatives, reflecting their commitment to giving back. During the challenging 2020 COVID season, when Ryan was heavily involved with the team, Nina held everything together at home, proving her resilience and dedication to their family.
Now settled in Delaware, Ohio, Nina continues to be the glue that holds the Day family together. Despite their luxurious home, she remains grounded, focusing on their children’s well-being and supporting community initiatives.
The Day Children: RJ, Grace, and Nia
Ryan and Nina have three children: RJ, Grace, and Nia. Growing up in the spotlight of their father’s high-profile coaching career hasn’t been easy. Unfortunately, following Ohio State’s heartbreaking 13-10 loss to Michigan, the Day family faced serious threats, including death threats targeting their children.
These threats forced Ryan and Nina to take extra precautions to ensure their kids’ safety. As a devoted father, Ryan has always been protective of his children, but the severity of the situation left even him feeling helpless. The ordeal highlighted the darker side of college football fandom, showing the extreme pressures that come with being in the public eye.
Despite these challenges, Ryan and Nina continue to prioritize their family’s well-being, shielding their children from the negative aspects of their father’s career while ensuring they have a supportive and loving home environment.
The death threats the changed the family
In a recent interview with a local TV outlet,Nina Day discussed the rollercoaster ride that the past 50 days have been — when observers worried that Michigan had ruined Ohio State’s season and a golden chance at a national title to respond to the Wolverines’ 2023 championship.
“The greatest thing for our family is that our children saw him fail,” Nina said. “They saw a lot of people come at their dad. They saw a lot of people attack him and attack our family. And I think for them to see him fight the way that he has, not back down and continue believing in his players and his coaches and staying steady, I think it was really wonderful to see my kids see him win these last three games.”