James Franklin is in his first season as Virginia Tech head coach, while Ryan Day is in his ninth season as Ohio State head coach. Franklin previously coached Vanderbilt from 2011-2013 and Penn State from 2014-2025. This is Day’s first stop as an FBS head coach.
Which coach has a better record, more wins, and more championships at their current school and over their careers?
Head-To-Head Record
Franklin and Day have faced off six times as head coaches, with Ohio State winning each matchup.
Career Win-Loss Analysis
James Franklin has more career wins as a head coach. Franklin went 24-15 (.615) at Vanderbilt and 104-45 (.698) at Penn State. His overall record is 128-60 (.681). Day is 82-12 (.872) at Ohio State.
Franklin was fired after a 3-3 start to the season with Penn State (finished 7-6 and 3-6 in the Big Ten). Day led Ohio State to 12 wins (12-2), including 9-0 in the Big Ten.
Annual Record Breakdown & Winning Percentages
| YEAR | FRANKLIN | DAY |
| 2025 | 3-3 (.500) – Penn State | 12-2 (.857) |
| 2024 | 13-3 (.813) – Penn State | 14-2 (.875) |
| 2023 | 10-3 (.769) – Penn State | 11-2 (.846) |
| 2022 | 11-2 (.846) – Penn State | 11-2 (.846) |
| 2021 | 7-6 (.538) – Penn State | 11-2 (.846) |
| 2020 | 4-5 (.444) – Penn State | 7-1 (.875) |
| 2019 | 11-2 (.846) – Penn State | 13-1 (.929) |
| 2018 | 9-4 (.692) – Penn State | 3-0 (1.000) |
| 2017 | 11-2 (.846) – Penn State | – |
| 2016 | 11-3 (.786) – Penn State | – |
| 2015 | 7-6 (.538) – Penn State | – |
| 2014 | 7-6 (.538) – Penn State | – |
| 2013 | 9-4 (.692) – Vanderbilt | – |
| 2012 | 9-4 (.692) – Vanderbilt | – |
| 2011 | 6-7 (.462) – Vanderbilt | – |
Postseason & Championship Results
Franklin has eight bowl wins, one conference championship, and zero national championships in his career.
Day has six bowl wins, two conference championships, and one national championship in his career.
Recruiting Rankings: Franklin vs. Day
Here’s the year-by-year team recruiting rankings (247Sports) for each coach:
| YEAR | FRANKLIN | DAY |
| 2026 | 30th (Virginia Tech) | 4th |
| 2025 | 15th (Penn State) | 4th |
| 2024 | 15th (Penn State) | 5th |
| 2023 | 14th (Penn State) | 4th |
| 2022 | 6th (Penn State) | 4th |
| 2021 | 21st (Penn State) | 2nd |
| 2020 | 15th (Penn State) | 5th |
| 2019 | 12th (Penn State) | 14th |
| 2018 | 6th (Penn State) | 2nd |
| 2017 | 15th (Penn State) | – |
| 2016 | 20th (Penn State) | – |
| 2015 | 14th (Penn State) | – |
| 2014 | 24th (Penn State) | – |
| 2013 | 26th (Vanderbilt) | – |
| 2012 | 46th (Vanderbilt) | – |
| 2011 | 49th (Vanderbilt) | – |
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