CBS – Ohio State has shared that coach Urban Meyer, a three-time national champion and future College Football Hall of Famer, will announce his retirement at a 2 p.m. ET press conference on Tuesday. Meyer will coach his last game in the Rose Bowl vs. Washington on Jan. 1, 2019, and be succeeded by offensive coordinator Ryan Day. Also in attendance at the press conference will be athletic director Gene Smith.
Meyer’s teams went 85-9 in his seven seasons as Ohio State coach, including a 55-4 Big Ten record. He has three national championships on his resume, including one with OSU in 2014 and two with Florida in 2006 and 2008. Since taking over Utah in 2003, Meyer’s teams have not missed a bowl game in 13 years in which they were eligible. He has nine conference titles in 14 seasons and has gone 10-3 in bowl competition. His teams are 189-32 overall for a .855 career winning percentage.
His retirement comes on the heels of a tumultuous season in Columbus, Ohio. Meyer was suspended for the first three games of the season after an investigation revealed that he mishandled domestic assault allegations made against former wide receivers coach Zach Smith, who was fired in late June. After returning to the sideline, Meyer fought through headaches and was visibly struggling during games, occasionally rubbing his head and bending over. He admitted during the season that a previously-revealed cyst on his brain was causing him problems but said that he was managing the pain and planned to coach next year.
Despite the controversy that swirled around him during the 2018 season and previously while coach at Florida, Meyer will go down as one of the best and most influential coaches in college football history.
Well, I’d like to say I’m surprised, but I’m not. I bet after the public outcry the Ohio State administrators told Urban this will be his last year. Either retire, with the little shred of dignity he might have left. Or, we will fire you after the season. It was ridiculous he was slapped on the hands with the suspension. Just showed how Ohio State put football before respecting women.
Some reports are saying it’s due to health reasons, which is the biggest pile of poopoo I have ever heard in my life. Urban did the same thing at Florida with questionable characters (except Tebow). He saw, and knew, what was going on with the Gators and decided it was time to get out of Gaiensville before the swamp was drained by the NCAA.
Now here we are in the shadow of a women abuse scandal, which (again) he knew about and did not act on. No longer able to sweep it under the rug, he all of a sudden has health issues that need to be addressed. So the next step is to “retire” from coaching.
Guarantee he will be coaching in 2-3 years when a position opens at a program that needs rebuilding. Hey, USC position will be open soon, maybe Miami as well?
Let’s honor Urban the way he needs to be honored. With his head down in shame.
