In a recent chat on Josh Pate’s College Football Show, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day opened up about the wild world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college football.
Day’s excited about the doors NIL opens for young athletes, but he’s also worried about the emotional, mental, and financial headaches that can come with sudden fame and cash.
He made it pretty clear: these players need more than just talent—they need guidance to survive this new landscape.
The Excitement and Opportunities of NIL
Day isn’t against NIL at all. Actually, he’s pretty vocal about how it’s changed the game for college athletes.
*College football has never been more exciting,* Day said, pointing out how the sport’s money boom is finally trickling down to the folks who make it all happen.
Players and coaches are finally seeing their share of the profits—and that’s a big deal.
Positive Impact on Communities
He brought up Ohio State stars like Julian Sayin, Kenyatta Jackson, and Jeremiah Smith as examples.
Now, these guys can earn money while still in school, help their families, and even invest a bit in their futures. That’s something that just didn’t happen before.
The Dark Side of Fame and Wealth
Still, Day’s not blind to the downsides. He’s noticed the mix of NIL money, nonstop social media, and the glare of public attention can be pretty overwhelming.
*These guys get more attention now than they’ve ever had before,* he said. Imagine being that young and suddenly everyone’s watching every move you make—must be a lot to handle.
The Information Overload
Day also talked about how much info these athletes have to process every day. He mentioned a study claiming young people today take in more info in one day than someone from the 1700s did in a lifetime.
That’s wild, right? No wonder it’s mentally exhausting to keep up with everything and still try to look good in the public eye.
The Role of Coaches and Mentors
Day stressed how important it is for coaches, parents, and mentors to step up. *It’s our job as coaches and as teachers and as adults to help them recognize the long-term importance of financial responsibility and perspective,* he said.
He really believes that with the right advice, these athletes can make smart choices that’ll pay off long after their football days end.
Financial Responsibility
One thing that keeps Day up at night? Players making big money now, then struggling later when football’s over.
He worries they might end up in jobs they never wanted at 40 if they don’t learn to manage their cash. *Football is going to be over at some point,* Day warned—gotta have a plan for what comes next.
Conclusion
Ryan Day’s take on the NIL era is refreshingly honest. He sees both the good and the not-so-simple sides of this new chapter in college football.
Sure, he’s excited about the money and the buzz that NIL brings. But he’s also quick to point out that young athletes need real guidance to handle all that fame and cash.
Day keeps circling back to the basics: financial responsibility and thinking ahead. He seems convinced that, with the right support, NIL could be a huge win for athletes down the road.
Curious for more? You can check out the full article here.
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