It’s been a slow boil and maybe you haven’t noticed it as of late because the Ohio State media isn’t talking about it too much, but the Texas fanbase seems to be all-in on former Buckeye head coach Urban Meyer. Of course, there’s a currently employed coach there right now, former OSU and Meyer assistant Tom Herman, so until anything happens with his status, it doesn’t matter.
Still, there are rumblings and rumors that Herman might be on his way out very shortly, and then, things will quickly turn to his replacement. Texas fans, media members, and almost everyone tied to a Longhorns’ way of life is falling in love with the idea of Meyer taking the keys to the program and restoring it to one of national prominence.
There are rumors of house hunting, and brainstorming on a potential staff, and we’re here to call it all nothing more than speculation and hope. Sure, Texas will roll out the red carpet and back the Brinks truck up for Meyer, but there’s a lot more to unpack here. Never say never when it comes to a guy as competitive as the three-time national title winner, or with so much money on the line, but here are five reasons Meyer will stay in his house at Muirfield and proof that even rumors and speculation are bigger in Texas.
NEXT … The health issues
There are real health concerns
News: Ohio State coach Urban Meyer details struggle with cyst in his brain, "aggressive headaches" and addresses future with @YahooSports. https://t.co/F32qwDlwe9
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 30, 2018
Pundits and critics will say that Meyer faked his health issues, both at Florida and the brain cyst issue at Ohio State. And while sure, there was some negative news surrounding the timing of both situations, the stress and lifestyle that comes with a big-time coaching job is real.
Those close to Meyer have vouched for how severe the pain and challenges that came with the brain cyst issues are, and getting back into a fast-paced, high-stress lifestyle will do nothing to help matters. Everyone wants to believe a conspiracy theory, but there are real health stressors here that might just be the biggest hurdle to clear.
NEXT … Ohio State Legacy matters
Urban cares about his legacy at Ohio State
The Latest: Ohio State coach Urban Meyer on whether his suspension will affect his legacy:
“I’m sure it will… I can lie to you and say it is not important to me.”
Latest from Columbus: https://t.co/N4VfusjNug pic.twitter.com/M687Vkhobc
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) December 4, 2018
If you think Meyer was crucified for getting back into coaching after the way he left Florida, just wait to see what happens when he goes to another school after coaching at Ohio State.
Remember, OSU was his dream job. He was born and raised in Ohio and it was him coming home and grabbing the steering wheel of the team he rooted for growing up. The Buckeye fan base loves Meyer and defended him rather passionately and deliberately during the Zach Smith fiasco. It won’t be so pleasant if the perception is there of him leaving OSU because of health reasons only to come back to coach another program.
If Myer cares anything about Buckeye Nation and what the fanbase thinks about him (he does), there’s no way he’s pulling on that thread.
NEXT … Passion in another field
Meyer loves his role as a studio analyst
Urban Meyer is a hall of fame caliber football coach. But his work as a broadcaster/analyst is well above most who make the transition from the field to the studio. Case in point; yesterday's critique of a program he owned while a @OhioStateFB. https://t.co/5ZkasuKTD4
— Dave Maetzold (@DMaetzMedia) November 29, 2020
It would be one thing if Meyer was sitting at home, pining for the days of old. He’s not, in fact just the opposite. With his role with FOX and BTN, Meyer is one of the best out there when it comes to his analysis of the game of football. He explains in a way the casual fan gets. He’s engaging, entertaining and full of analytical nuggets that give the fan a peek into what goes on behind the curtain of big-time college football.
And there’s this — he thoroughly enjoys it.
Meyer has been asked several times if he’ll ever get back into coaching, and he has always mentioned how much he likes what he does in the studio. Of course, he leaves the door open on returning to coaching every time, but there is now another passion that allows him to still be connected to the game of football. And that makes that itch to coach easier to put on the back burner.
NEXT … Meyer doesn’t need the money
The Meyer family is doing just fine thank you
Urban Meyer's decision whether or not to return to coaching could be impacted by more than health issues, a source told Horns247.https://t.co/HXMByuPV8j
— Chip Brown (@ChipBrown247) December 2, 2020
Texas is going to drop a few dollars shy of “all the money in the world” in Meyer’s lap to come out of retirement and be the savior of the Texas program. Whatever amount of money that might be would be hard to turn down for most, but he’s not hurting for the cash, nor does he need it.
Meyer is already making a boatload of cash with FOX and has made literal millions from coaching at places like Florida and Ohio State. He’s got investments in a restaurant and other places, and there’s just no need to get back in the pressure cooker again after all the criticism he and his family have been subjected to, because it doesn’t make sense financially.
NEXT … The family life
Dad, husband, and grandfather
Noted grandfather and football coach Urban Meyer has had a big day pic.twitter.com/TU6vO81ozh
— James Grega Jr. (@JGrega11) December 4, 2016
If there’s one thing that’s easy to see from covering Ohio State football, Urban Meyer is extremely close to his family. His son walked on to play football at Cincinnati and wants to follow in his footsteps, and he’s also a grandfather. The days of rushing around, not being as available as he would have liked has changed significantly.
He can now go at his own pace, be where he wants, and spend more time with his grown daughters (including his son-in-law on the OSU staff). The family man can now be exactly that and enjoy all that he missed. Also, he is very close to his wife Shelley, and she has expressed gratitude for the way life is going right now. If she’s not on board, and his family isn’t all for it, it’s not happening.
He’s 56 years old, on the downside of a spry lifestyle, and that has to mean something as well because there are only so many years we get on this earth to be a man in touch with loved ones.
NEXT … The bottom line
Here’s the deal on this Urban Meyer to Texas thing
Look, I could be wrong here. It wouldn’t be the first time a coach that couldn’t quite get the football out of his blood came out of retirement to scratch the competitive itch again. Heck, it wouldn’t be the first time Meyer did it.
And yeah, despite how financially secure and in love with family Meyer is, the amount of money being rumored is enough to have anyone think about the “what-ifs” that go with having more Benjamins than you or I will ever see in our lifetime tossed in your direction.
There’s also a part of me that would like to see the marriage between Texas and Meyer. College football is more entertaining with him on the sidelines and I have little doubt he would make the Longhorns a national threat again in a short amount of time. If Meyer was successful at Ohio State, he can probably do similar things in Austin. Texas and Ohio State are close to the same program with the same resources, tradition, and recruiting ability.
But, Meyer has accomplished all he can as a college football coach. He’s won conference titles, he’s won national titles, he’s had a Heisman winner, and then some. There’s really nothing left to accomplish other than missing the game. If that trumps everything else, then you’ll see these rumors come to fruition.
With everything packaged up and rolled out for inspection though, there are a lot more negatives to Meyer giving it one more try just because he misses coaching. That’s what it would boil down to.
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