Urban Meyer has no interest in coaching again as Ohio State rumors swirl

One former football coach is trying to get back on a sideline, but another big name is not.

Urban Meyer made it clear Thursday that he has no intention of trying to return to coach Ohio State football, despite some floating his name as a possible replacement for current head coach Ryan Day. 

This comes after the Buckeyes lost to unranked Michigan last weekend.

The game — which descended into an all-out brawl after Michigan won and tried to plant its flag on the field at Ohio Stadium — was the fourth straight loss to the Wolverines under Day’s leadership.

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“It has come to my attention that there are reports speculating my return to the sidelines in Columbus,” Meyer said in a statement.  “While I thoroughly enjoyed my seven seasons as head coach at the Ohio State University, I have no interest in coaching again. I will always be a Buckeye and have full confidence in Ryan Day, his staff, and every player that puts on the scarlet and gray.”

Meyer hasn’t coached at any level since his disastrous stint with the Jaguars in 2021 in which he was fired 13 games into the season. 

Meyer’s brief tenure in Jacksonville, which ended with a 2-11 record, was fraught with controversy.

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During his Ohio State days, Meyer defeated Michigan every season he was at the helm (2012-18). 

He also led the Buckeyes to a national title in 2014. 

Day, who first joined the football staff in 2017 as an offensive coordinator, took over as head coach in 2019 after Meyer departed. 

Day addressed his future with the program after the loss to Michigan. 

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“I think the culture is as strong as it’s ever been [at Ohio State],” he tol reporters. “I think we have great players. I think we have great coaches. It was a bad day. So, we have to go forward, and the mindset is go win the whole thing now.”

Ohio State, now ranked No. 6, is still expected to make the College Football Playoff, even with the loss to Michigan.