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The Ohio State Buckeyes emerged as the inaugural champions of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024, and now, in the 2025 Playoff, head coach Ryan Day guides his No. 2 Buckeyes into the high-stakes quarterfinal against the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Eve.
When the Buckeyes take the field in Dallas on Dec. 31, it will be their first game since a an early-December loss to No. 1 Indiana in the Big Ten Championship. That first defeat in over a year has the college football world wondering if the machine-like program has what it takes for another grueling championship run. The pressure is immense, testing Day's leadership at every turn.
Amidst the serious debates about quarterback play, defensive integrity, and the path to a repeat title, a bizarre and persistent narrative has taken root: Does Ryan Day dye his jet-black hair and beard? This viral question has become a strange metaphor for the impossible perfection demanded of the man running the machine in Columbus, generating countless memes, fan polls, and even a public, viral denial from Day’s own wife.
Here's a look at the history of the ridiculous rumor.
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Does Ryan Day dye his hair?
Though there is widespread belief that the Ohio State coach dyes his hair, his wife Nina claims he never has once in his life, and she took her defense directly to social media to shut down the most persistent claim.
I have known Ryan my entire life and he has never once died his beard. Move on to the next narrative. https://t.co/Sc0hUmxMlm
— Christina Day (@ninadaytime) April 14, 2025The denial was aimed squarely at the countless fans, reporters, and rival internet trolls who have used the coach's consistently dark appearance as a running gag for years.
Former Ohio State linebacker also chimed in on whether Day dyes his beard.
I see that beard nearly every day… it’s impossible to keep if that dark if it’s not natural https://t.co/H5W00cDGYe
— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) April 14, 2025Day has also spoke on the topic in the past, saying he does not worry about that.
The question was asked (awkwardly) this weekend. Ryan Day does not dye his beard, so I guess you can trust him, now, right? https://t.co/W5FrNrbjMF pic.twitter.com/8MCpuYaGuP
— Cincy Buckeye (@Bella_Cosmos) April 14, 2025"There's plenty of greys in there, trust me, you just maybe can't see them," Day said on 97.1 The Fan. "Try being the head coach at Ohio State long enough, you're going to have plenty of greys. People say that all the time, and we just laugh ... the last thing in the world I'm worried about is how I look."
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Ryan Day hair dye speculation
Even though Day and others have denied the rumors that he doesn't use dye, it hasn't stopped the internet from running with it.
Outkick's Clay Travis was the one who Nina Day responded to, with Travis saying "you can't trust men who dye their beards."
You can’t trust men who dye their beards. Huge red flag: pic.twitter.com/MiVP40GXIO
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 14, 2025Though Day has said that he has some grey hairs, his beard still looks Jet black in photos and videos.
Does David Gabriel-Georges know that Ryan Day uses beard dye? @JamesYoder pic.twitter.com/e6XG9xH5rR
— Joey Petersen (@joeypetersen8) November 6, 2025Before the Cotton Bowl against Miami, Day donned an all-black outfit to speak with the media, which matches his popular facial hair.
MUST LISTEN: Ryan Day spoke about the importance of people in life and around the program as well as a leadership lesson.
This will be the best two minutes of your day and is more evidence the Buckeyes are in the right hands. pic.twitter.com/ldaFFyH9I9
Day and co. have said he doesn't use dye and are not worried about his beard color, rather beating the Hurricanes and winning the national championship for the 10th time in school history.
Though, the internet will do what the internet does: speculate.
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