We’re starting back up a weekly hot topic piece that we used to do on Buckeyes Wire because, well — we like to debate, and can. Each Friday, we’ll throw out a topic that seems to be in the news and provide a round table forum of discussion. Sometimes it’ll be two writers, sometimes more.
You can even get in on the act by going to our Facebook or Twitter page (at the bottom of this article) and providing your own input, but beware — we do like to respond and hash it out, so be ready for some debate.
This week, we are kicking things off with a topic that just doesn’t seem to want to go away. Will Urban Meyer coach again in the near future? He’s kind of said no by saying he thinks he’s done, but recently, he shared some interesting tidbits with Cleveland.com that seemed to open up the door to him coming back to being a head coach.
So, we’ll throw it out to a couple of our writers. Do you see Urban Meyer getting back on the sideline as a head coach at a big-time program in the near future?
Mark, you’re first up.
Next … Mark Russell kicks off his thoughts
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
Well, my heart wants to say no, but my gut tells me he most likely coach again (sooner rather than later). As a coach myself, I know the addictive nature of competing. And someone like Urban Meyer who has been at the pinnacle of the college football world has to be struggling not being on the sidelines.
Any big time school who has an opening, whether it be USC, Auburn, Florida State or any number of football powers will at least send an email. “Dear Urban, Would you like to be our coach? Check yes or no.”
Any AD in the country will open the check book to get someone like Meyer. And if he says yes, it won’t be about the money. It’ll solely be about quenching that thirst for competition, going to war against an opponent, and coming out on top.
I hope I’m wrong on this one, but I won’t be surprised if I’m not.
Next … Phil Harrison weighs in
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When Meyer first retired, I went to the land of sweet tea and grits defending his actions and pounding the desk that he was out of it for medical reasons, and that he wouldn’t be coming back. Now I’m not so sure.
As Mark points out, the guy is as fiery as a competitor as you’ll find, and when you’ve slept (sometimes), eaten, and molded your life around the competition of big-time college football, it’s a hard thing to walk away from. I think the Zach Smith fiasco and subsequent fallout really got to him and his family more than the medical stuff — but it all went together in the anxiety circle of being in the fishbowl. And look, Meyer certainly made some errors and missteps in the whole thing.
Since then, he’s tried to fill his life with all sorts of things. From television, to speaking engagements, podcasts and leadership seminars, you can almost feel the void that he’s trying to place as many things in as possible. And here’s the thing — he’s really good on television and all of that. Once a competitor always a competitor. He’s just geared to work his tail off because he always has, and that’s what’s made him successful.
But the reality is that none of it fits whats missing in his life. All the time spent trying to keep your mind off all that went into an addiction (yes, it can be) of keeping score and grinding away to be the best on the football field just doesn’t make it go away.
I think, at this point, you’re likely to see Urban Frank Meyer back on the sidelines of a football field. He’ll come back and say he’s found a way to make the stresses work and all of that, but in reality, it’s just who he is.
And when he does, he’ll be criticized greatly because it won’t be a good look after all that went into making the decision to walk away. The question for me is, where will he land?
I kind of hope I’m wrong, but he’s never shut the door, and now the comments he’s making are opening it more and more.
Next … Brock Netter wraps it up
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
If Mack Brown can return, so can Urban, and I believe he will. But not for at least two more seasons. I think he’s actually enjoying being an analyst on FOX and still being around the game while being migraine free. Once his health is at a place he believes is good enough to be back on the sidelines, he will be.
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