Coach Ryan Day Locked in Heated Dispute with AD Ross Bjork Over Millions in Unpaid Salary and Bonuses
COLUMBUS, OHIO — In what insiders are calling one of the most dramatic off-field controversies in Ohio State football history, head coach Ryan Day is reportedly entangled in an intense financial standoff with newly-appointed Athletic Director Ross Bjork. Sources close to the athletic department confirm that Day is demanding resolution over what he describes as “gross contractual violations” involving nearly $3.8 million in unpaid performance bonuses and deferred salary from the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
The friction began simmering quietly during spring meetings but exploded into public view when Day skipped two scheduled appearances at Ohio State fundraising events, signaling a major rift. Those close to the situation report that Day’s legal team issued a formal demand letter to the athletic department in late May, citing breach of contract tied to postseason incentives, Big Ten title bonuses, and contractual milestone clauses, including a milestone for achieving a 50-win benchmark.
“This is not a negotiation,” a source familiar with Day’s position stated bluntly. “He has fulfilled every clause, surpassed performance expectations, and been the face of the program. He simply wants what was promised.”
Ross Bjork, who officially took over as athletic director in early 2025 after leaving Texas A&M, reportedly disagrees with the accounting, citing “pending audits, revisions in bonus frameworks, and necessary financial controls.” Bjork, known for tightening fiscal operations at Texas A&M, is rumored to be implementing sweeping internal reviews across Ohio State’s sprawling athletics ecosystem.
“This isn’t Texas,” a former Buckeye administrator said. “You don’t antagonize the football coach here—especially not Ryan Day. He is the reason this department is swimming in TV and playoff revenue.”
The situation has created palpable tension inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Players and assistants are reportedly rattled. One veteran staffer shared anonymously that “the atmosphere has gotten colder. There’s a feeling this could spiral if the administration doesn’t fix it fast.”
With the Buckeyes riding high after a national championship run and top-tier recruiting class, the timing couldn’t be worse. Day’s silence on the issue—apart from a cryptic tweet reading “When trust breaks, leadership follows”—has only fueled speculation.
If unresolved, insiders fear the dispute could escalate to litigation—or worse, Day’s potential resignation or departure to the NFL, where multiple franchises have reportedly shown interest.
Ross Bjork, speaking at a brief media scrum following the controversy, maintained, “We respect Coach Day’s contributions and are working diligently through appropriate channels. Our goal is transparency and fairness.”
But with boosters furious, fans on edge, and national media circling, Ohio State finds itself at a dangerous crossroads—one that could define the program’s identity far beyond the scoreboard.
One booster captured the moment perfectly: “Pay the man. Or risk losing the soul of Buckeye football.”
