Ryan Day recognized Keenan Bailey’s potential early on, and that belief has proven to be well-placed.

When Ryan Day first laid eyes on Keenan Bailey, he saw more than just another young coach with a résumé filled with assistant roles and behind-the-scenes contributions. He saw someone who understood the inner workings of a program, someone who was patient, loyal, and quietly building the foundation of something bigger. Bailey didn’t come to Ohio State with a high profile or a media-fueled reputation. He came to work, to learn, and to grow. And Day noticed.

In a coaching world often defined by flashy hires and fast risers, Bailey took the road less traveled. He joined the Buckeyes in 2016 as an intern under Urban Meyer and began his climb from the very bottom of the ladder. For years, he toiled in the shadows—breaking down film, helping with game plans, supporting the positional coaches without stepping into the spotlight. It was grunt work by every definition, the kind of work that never earns headlines but quietly earns trust.

Bailey was the kind of presence every elite program needs but rarely highlights. He absorbed everything around him—how Meyer managed culture, how Ryan Day evolved the offense, how coaches like Brian Hartline connected with players, and how to command a room without saying too much. More importantly, he built relationships. Players respected his authenticity. Coaches valued his insight. Recruits and their families noticed how deeply involved he was in their journeys.

When Day took over the Ohio State program, he didn’t rush to shake things up. He understood the value of continuity. But he also saw the individuals inside the machine who were capable of more. Bailey was one of those people. Day watched as Bailey’s role expanded behind the scenes—first as a quality control coach, then as a senior advisor to the head coach. He was in the room for offensive game planning. He helped bridge communication between coaches and analysts. He became a glue guy—someone who held things together in the margins, where championships are often won.

What set Bailey apart wasn’t just his football IQ, though that was never in doubt. It was his emotional intelligence—his ability to understand the people he worked with, to anticipate needs before they were voiced, to inspire without demanding the spotlight. Day admired how players gravitated toward him, not because he asked for their attention, but because he earned it with quiet consistency.

So when the time came for staff changes, Day didn’t look to the outside world for answers. He looked in his own building. In 2022, after years of putting in the work, Bailey was promoted to tight ends coach. It wasn’t a flashy hire. In fact, some wondered why Ohio State, a program with the budget and stature to lure nearly anyone, would turn to an internal candidate with no prior position coach experience. But Day didn’t flinch. He knew what he had in Bailey, and he trusted that the investment would pay off.

That faith is now being rewarded in every measurable and intangible way. Since taking over the tight ends room, Bailey has brought a renewed sense of energy, detail, and connectivity. Players in his unit speak about how deeply he understands their roles—not just on the field, but as young men trying to navigate life in one of college football’s most demanding environments. He has turned the tight end position into more than just a blocking job or an afterthought in the passing game. Under Bailey, it has become a developmental pipeline with clearly defined expectations, strong mentorship, and a culture of accountability.

Bailey’s ability to teach fundamentals and scheme has never been a question for those around him. What makes him exceptional is his ability to develop players holistically. He’s known for holding detailed film sessions that break down not just Xs and Os but the thought process behind every movement. He challenges his players to think like quarterbacks, to understand the game from every angle. That cerebral approach resonates in a place like Ohio State, where elite talent is abundant but execution at the highest level is what separates good from great.

In recruiting, Bailey has also made his presence felt. He’s not the loudest or most visible recruiter, but his style is effective—personal, consistent, and grounded in real relationships. He doesn’t sell dreams; he paints realistic paths, filled with hard work and development. That honesty has become a calling card. Recruits trust him. Families appreciate his transparency. And his colleagues trust him to deliver on the promises he makes.

Behind the scenes, Bailey continues to serve as one of Day’s most trusted voices. He sits in on important conversations about offensive identity, player development, and culture building. He’s a coach who understands the entire ecosystem, not just his lane. That kind of holistic understanding is rare and invaluable.

What’s more, Bailey hasn’t let success change him. He remains humble, grounded, and intensely focused on getting better. He gives credit freely to his players and fellow coaches. He deflects praise and talks about process. He remains hungry, which only deepens Day’s confidence in him. In an industry where ego often outpaces substance, Bailey is a reminder that integrity, loyalty, and daily excellence still matter.

As Ohio State continues to chase championships and navigate the ever-changing landscape of college football—NIL, transfer portals, conference realignment—leaders like Keenan Bailey become even more vital. They’re the culture carriers, the stabilizing forces that ensure a program’s foundation remains solid even as the outer world shifts. Ryan Day knew this. That’s why he believed in Bailey from the start. He saw the long game.

It would be easy now to say that Day’s decision was obvious. That Bailey’s rise was inevitable. But that’s revisionist history. It took vision to elevate a coach who had never been a position coach before. It took courage to block out the noise and trust what you know. Day made that call. And he’s being rewarded not just with a strong tight ends room, but with a leader who represents everything Ohio State wants to be.

Bailey’s story is still being written. He’s young, driven, and already being talked about as a future coordinator—or even a head coach down the road. If that happens, it’ll be because of everything he’s doing now: showing up every day with a plan, connecting deeply with people, and making those around him better. That’s the Keenan Bailey way. And Ryan Day knew it all along.