Urban Meyer Defends Ryan Day After Ohio State-Notre Dame Postgame Interview

The former Buckeyes coach called critics of the current coach’s comments “idiots.”

College football is still wading through the aftermath of Ohio State coach Ryan Day's incendiary, impassioned criticism of Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz on NBC after the Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame 17–14 on Saturday.

While the controversy has largely faded in South Bend, Ind. as attention turns to No. 17 Duke, Ohio State is on a bye this week. Thus, Day's comments appear destined to live another news cycle.

Along those lines, former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer rebuked Day's critics on his YouTube show with longtime Ohio State beat writer Tim May Thursday.

"If someone criticizes Ryan Day for fighting for his team and fighting for himself, dude, you’re an idiot,” Meyer said. “I hate to be so prompt, but I get so angry sometimes when someone’s going to criticize Ryan Day for saying what’s on his heart."

Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer took to his successor Ryan Day’s defense in light of criticism of Day’s fiery postgame interview following the Buckeyes’ dramatic win over Notre Dame :: Joe Maiorana/USA TODAY Sports

After the Buckeyes won Saturday, the traditionally even-keeled Day began his postgame interview with NBC's Kathryn Tappen by saying, "I'd like to know where Lou Holtz is right now. What he said about our team, I cannot believe. This is a tough team right here."

Day was responding to comments questioning the Buckeyes‘ toughness and stature made by Holtz, 86, on The Pat McAfee Show Friday.

“Let Ryan Day say what he wants to say and move on. If you don’t like it, that’s fine,” Meyer said to May. “But do you understand Ryan Day, they just won a game that his life would be different if they lost that game. And someone sticks a microphone in his face, probably four minutes after it happened. He is allowed to say what he wants to say. And you respect that, because he did it.”