Urban Meyer last coached at Ohio State in 2018, but the man who won the program’s most recent national championship is being linked to his old job.
It started this week when Ohio native and longtime broadcaster Jay Crawford discussed Meyer while appearing on the “Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show.” Crawford said that should Ohio State move on from Ryan Day, two people have told him that Meyer would be interested in returning to his former post.
Cardale Jones, one of Meyer’s star quarterbacks with the Buckeyes, is less convinced. On “Maggie & Perloff” Wednesday, Jones said he doesn’t believe Meyer would want to go back.
“Not a chance,” Jones said. “I don’t think with this new dynamic of the portal and NIL he wants any part of that. Urban is a players coach, he’s a coaches coach, and he just wants to coach ball. I think all of those aspects throw a wrench into his culture that he wants to build and the things he wants to do as a play caller and CEO of an organization.”
Would Urban Meyer ever return to coach Ohio State?
His former QB Cardale Jones says ‘not a chance’ #BuckeyeNation pic.twitter.com/vNUREGLNDJ
— Maggie Gray (@MaggieGray) December 3, 2024
Meyer went 83-9 at Ohio State from 2012-18, including a 7-0 mark against Michigan. He also won four major bowl games and the national championship in 2014.
Of course, Meyer’s tenure in Columbus ended in controversy because of the scandal involving assistant coach Zach Smith, but Crawford says that didn’t sour the coach’s opinion on the school.
“Urban never wanted to leave Ohio State,” Crawford said. “His hand was forced, because the administration at the time, did not like how powerful Urban had become at the university. And so there was a real power struggle.”
“Note that the two main players that forced Urban out – and that’s what it was – are gone.”
For now, anyway, Ohio State has a coach. Day has his team on the verge of a College Football Playoff berth, but his seat is still hot after losing to Michigan for the fourth-straight year last weekend.
The loss cost the Buckeyes a chance at the Big Ten title. On Sunday, Day received a vote of confidence from athletic director Ross Bjork.
“Our full focus right now is on the College Football Playoff and making a strong run,” Bjork said. “We have a ton to play for. We have a great team made up of talented players and great young men. Coach Day does a great job leading our program. He’s our coach.”
Related: Ryan Day Was Asked If He Expects To Coach Ohio State Next Season