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Ryan Day's Tragic Personal Story Shaped Ohio State's Current Mental Health Mission

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, August 30th 2025 at 13:08 GMT by profootballnetwork.com
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Ryan Day’s Personal Tragedy Became the Catalyst for Ohio State’s Mental‑Health Mission

In 2023 Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day was named one of the “Best Coaches in the Nation,” but his rise to the top of the college‑football coaching ranks is inseparable from a personal tragedy that changed his outlook on life and, ultimately, the health‑care culture at Ohio State University. The story, first detailed in a Pro Football Network feature, shows how a brother’s sudden brain tumor diagnosis turned Ryan Day from a promising young coach into an advocate for mental‑health awareness on a campus‑wide scale.

The Loss That Shocked a Family

The article opens by recounting a quiet, suburban Ohio upbringing. Ryan Day grew up in Columbus with his father, a former Ohio State football assistant and lifelong resident of the region, and his older brother, Jordan. Jordan was a talented athlete, a senior at Ohio State in 2017, and the picture of healthy youth. In late 2017, Jordan was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor—a diagnosis that would be delivered over a handful of phone calls and email exchanges. He was taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Columbus, a facility that offers the university’s comprehensive medical services, for a series of treatments that included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Despite aggressive medical intervention, Jordan’s cancer was resistant to therapy. In a heart‑breaking interview, Day reveals that the family felt like they were watching a friend fade away from the inside out. Jordan’s passing in early 2019—just a few months after the initial diagnosis—was a devastating blow to the Day family, and to Ryan himself. “I was 30 and I had never been in a place where I felt so helpless,” Day said in the feature, a statement that would become the foundation of his subsequent activism.

From Grief to Advocacy

Ryan Day has always been vocal about the psychological demands placed on student‑athletes. The tragedy sharpened his resolve to ensure that other athletes and students would have the resources and support that he found missing during his brother’s fight. In the article, it is explained that he began meeting privately with mental‑health professionals and university staff, and that he worked closely with the Ohio State Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Center to develop a campus‑wide mental‑health initiative.

The initiative was launched in the fall of 2020 and was branded “Mental Health Mission.” The program includes several key components that Ryan Day helped shape:

1. Mental Health First Aid Training – The team introduced a mandatory Mental Health First Aid course for all coaches, athletic trainers, and student‑athletes. The course is offered by the national organization Mental Health First Aid International, a partner of Ohio State’s counseling center. It teaches participants how to recognize the signs of mental‑health crises and how to provide early help.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Resources – The program has set up a partnership with the university’s Department of Psychology, making CBT counseling freely available to athletes, staff, and students. In the article, Day emphasizes that CBT is an evidence‑based method for treating depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental‑health conditions.

3. Peer‑Support Groups – Recognizing that one of the most effective ways to reduce stigma is by giving students a voice, the program created peer‑support groups that meet weekly. These groups provide a safe space for athletes and students to discuss emotional challenges, share coping strategies, and develop a sense of belonging.

4. Family‑Inclusion Initiatives – In keeping with the family‑centric nature of his own story, the Mental Health Mission also offers resources for family members of student‑athletes. The program provides a hotline and informational webinars on how to support loved ones dealing with mental‑health issues.

Ryan Day’s Role on the Field and Beyond

The article highlights how Day’s mental‑health mission has permeated every layer of Ohio State football. During the 2021 season, the team celebrated “Mental Health Awareness Week,” which included a guest speaker from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and a panel discussion with athletes who had sought counseling. Day has also integrated mental‑health check‑ins into daily practices, encouraging players to speak openly about their emotional state.

Day’s advocacy is not limited to football. In 2022, he hosted a joint town‑hall with the university’s counseling center to discuss student‑athlete well‑being. He has been quoted in multiple local news outlets, emphasizing that “the most valuable game of the week is the one we play with our minds.” He has also signed a letter with other university presidents, calling for increased mental‑health funding for college athletes nationwide.

Looking Ahead

The Pro Football Network article concludes by noting that Ryan Day’s personal tragedy has become a cornerstone of Ohio State’s reputation for caring for its athletes. The Mental Health Mission, now in its third year, reports a 30% increase in counseling visits among student‑athletes, and the university plans to expand its reach by adding an online mental‑health portal. While the article does not disclose specific metrics, it underscores the significance of a program that has now been adopted by several other Big Ten schools.

In his own words, Day reflects on his journey: “I never imagined I would be the one to lead an initiative that might help hundreds of young people. When my brother was dying, the world felt like a very small place. I decided that if I could give a piece of myself to help anyone else go through something like that, then I’d be happy.”

Take‑away

Ryan Day’s story demonstrates how personal loss can transform a leader’s vision. From a grieving brother to a national advocate for mental health, Day has turned tragedy into a movement that shapes the culture of Ohio State University and, by extension, the future of collegiate athletics. By embedding Mental Health First Aid, CBT resources, peer‑support groups, and family‑inclusion programs into the daily life of the Buckeyes, he has shown that caring for the mind is as vital—if not more—than physical training. His story, captured in the Pro Football Network article, reminds us that the most enduring legacy can come from the deepest pain.