Ryan Day's agent denies report linking him and the Ohio State football coach to Chicago Bears
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The agent for Ryan Day denied a report claiming that he and the Ohio State coach could be part of a package deal to join the Chicago Bears.
According to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora, the Bears have had discussions with Trace Armstrong to join the team in a front-office role, with Day listed as a possibility to accompany him as coach. Armstrong was a defensive end for the Bears from 1989-94.
“I have the utmost respect for the Chicago Bears organization, the McCaskey family and Ted Phillips,” Armstrong said in a tweet Sunday. “However, any assertion that I have engaged in conversations with them about joining the club in any capacity is simply not true.”
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Armstrong is also the agent for Lincoln Riley and Brian Kelly. Riley recently left Oklahoma for USC. Kelly left Notre Dame for LSU.
Armstrong is also the agent for Bears coach Matt Nagy, who is considered unlikely to be retained beyond this season.
Day did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to USA TODAY Sports' annual survey of coaching salaries published in October, Day was the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten this year, making $6.61 million. He is also eligible for an additional $250,000 in performance bonuses for the Buckeyes' berth in the Rose Bowl and share of the Big Ten's East Division title.
Day is due to earn $7.6 million next year, part of incremental raises included in a contract extension signed following his first season.
His compensation package after 2022 is to be determined by athletic director Gene Smith and approved by the Board of Trustees, according to the agreement that runs through early 2027.
Day would owe Ohio State $3 million, plus unspecified damages, if he terminates his employment on or before Jan. 31. The buyout amount decreases by $500,000 each year thereafter.
Other coaches in the conference have signed more lucrative, long-term extensions with their schools over the past month. Both Michigan State's Mel Tucker and Penn State's James Franklin received 10-year deals worth $95 million and $75 million, respectively.
Bill Rabinowitz covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at brabinowitz@dispatch.com or on Twitter @brdispatch.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State coach Ryan Day's agent denies report about Bears job
