In the months leading up to the start of the 2001 season, Ryan Day had been given full reign of the keys to the Chip Kelly-led offense at the University of New Hampshire, and the star quarterback was met with lofty preseason expectations.
“I really believe Ryan holds the key to our success for this football season,” Wildcats head coach Sean McDonnell told Seacoast Online’s Frank Coppola in August 2001. “When he plays well, we play well. I feel very comfortable with him leading us, and he is very good at what he does.”
Day did not lead New Hampshire to the playoffs.