A Timeline of Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day and His Wife Nina’s Relationship
Prior to becoming prominent figures in college football, Ryan Day and his spouse, Nina, were simply childhood friends who played tee-ball together in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Now 45, Ryan is the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Nina, who has been married to him since June 2005, recently shared reflections on their journey growing up together in the Northeast.
In a conversation with Columbus’ WBNS 10TV in August 2024, Nina mentioned that she and Ryan lived about a mile and a half apart as children. Their educational paths crossed at the same elementary school, as well as middle school, high school, and college—both attended the University of New Hampshire, where Ryan played quarterback.
“There’s a note we kept from when I was in 7th grade where I stated I would marry Ryan,” Nina recalled. “We have always been best friends.”
Nina even shared a photo from 1985 featuring their youthful tee-ball team. “This is Ryan, that’s my twin sister, Kelly, and me,” she pointed out, highlighting the trio.
Before Ryan became head coach at Ohio State in 2018, his coaching journey took him and Nina, who are parents to son RJ and daughters Grace and Nia, all over the nation—from collegiate roles at Boston College and Temple to NFL positions with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
“In a span of 15 years, we relocated 11 times,” Nina explained to WBNS. “During that time, we welcomed three kids. It was a lot to navigate. From our wedding until we settled in Ohio State, we moved nearly every year or two. It felt quite unstable for a long stretch.”
For a comprehensive timeline of Ryan and Nina’s relationship, continue reading.
2005
Ryan and Nina tied the knot while he was a graduate assistant at the University of Florida.
“We dated on and off, but once we graduated, we reconnected and the rest is history,” Nina recounted to WBNS.
She further shared, “There has always been a sense of comfort with him. We’re still best friends, and I believe that is one of the best foundations for a marriage.”
2009
Their son Ryan Jr. (or RJ) was welcomed in 2009 while Ryan served as wide receivers coach at Boston College.
Nina revealed that being a coach’s child presented some challenges for RJ.
“From 1st to 5th grade, he transferred schools multiple times, ending up in seven different elementary schools,” she noted to WBNS. “But that experience has made him more resilient.”
RJ is now making strides as a quarterback at DeSales High School in Columbus, Ohio.
2011
Ryan and Nina celebrated the birth of their first daughter, Grace, during Ryan’s tenure at Boston College.
2014
Their third child, daughter Nia, was born after Ryan returned to Boston College as the offensive coordinator, following a season at Temple University.
2020
During the COVID-impacted college football season in 2020, Ryan had to live apart from Nina and their three children for three months to minimize the risk of exposure.
“It was a challenging time,” Nina shared with The Columbus Dispatch in January 2021. “I’ve always planned ahead, but now, we just lived hour by hour. Every time I see Ryan’s name on my phone, I’m bracing myself for news.”
Courtesy of Mady Barnes/Instagram/Instagram University of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and his girlfriend, Mady Barnes, have already survived one of a relationship’s toughest tests: attending rival colleges. Barnes, 21, currently studies at the University of Oklahoma while her boyfriend, Ewers, 21, is among the most recognizable names in college football.
Nina openly shared how challenging it became to have Ryan home after the Big Ten suspended its season due to the pandemic.
“Those weeks were tremendously tough,” she recalled. “Even though he was home for the kids’ school start for the first time and could attend their soccer and football games, there was still a significant emptiness. Being around Ryan during that time was extremely difficult.”
2023
As his fifth season as Ohio State’s head coach approached, Ryan shared a photo on Instagram of his family returning from vacation alongside a picture from the same spot taken four years earlier.
“Time sure flies,” Ryan mentioned. “1st Pic: Winter of 2019 before the start of my first season; 2nd Pic: Today on our way back to Columbus. My fifth season is just around the corner! Stronger than ever. Go Bucks!!”
2025
Nina and Grace were seen rejoicing with Ryan on the field after Ohio State triumphed over the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl.
2025
Three months following Ryan’s victory over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship, Nina defended her husband against a viral social media rumor regarding his facial hair.
Pundit Clay Travis claimed Ryan dyed his beard, suggesting a lack of trustworthiness.
“I have known Ryan my whole life, and he has never dyed his beard,” Nina stated via X. “Let’s move on to the next narrative.”
