Welcome Home, Urban

Sports

Welcome Home, Urban

Natalie Webb- December 20, 2011

Former Florida football coach has returned to his home state of Ohio to coach the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

On May 30, 2011, Jim Tressel announced his letter of resignation as the head football coach at Ohio State University. He had been encouraged to resign by Ohio State’s President E. Gordon Gee and Athletic Director Gene Smith due to recent scandals taking place inside the University walls.

Five Buckeye players were temporarily suspended from football for selling or trading their team memorabilia. These items include Big Ten football championship rings, gold pants pendants, autographed items and portions of players’ uniforms.

Several allegations were made against the University including many that accuse coach Tressel of knowing about this scandal for over a year (without an investigation) before it leaked into the public. It was decided that the school be charged with the failure to monitor the football program, because the coach did not notify the school that five of his players had not followed the NCAA regulation, that memorabilia was not to be sold or traded.

In Tressel’s letter of resignation, he said "The recent situation has been a distraction for our great university and I make this decision for the greater good of our school."

Immediate reaction from Ohio State fans across the region was inevitable. Tressel had been coaching for ten years, and had great statistics to back up his success. Whether they had expected him to resign or not, fans were left questioning the seasons to come for their favorite team.

Soon enough, interim coach Luke Fickell was hired to lead the 2011 Buckeyes. Although he didn’t have much head coaching experience, Fickell led Ohio State through a season full of ups and downs, earning a 6-6 record. He has also been selected to coach the defense of the Buckeyes under Meyer’s coaching staff.

After the 34- 40 loss to the University’s rival- Michigan, even more questions were raised. Many wondered how the team could re-establish itself, and get back up to its own expectations as well as the fan’s expectations! No one had an answer.

However, as of Monday, November 28, a new light of hope has shone upon Ohio State football and it’s fans. After resigning from the University of Florida, and engaging himself on a one- year hiatus, Urban Meyer was hired as the new head coach of the Buckeyes.

As a fan of Ohio State football, this was hopeful news. The former head coach of the Florida Gators has a very impressive record along with the experience that a top- NCAA Division 1 football coach requires.

A little bit about Coach Meyer:

• He won 104 games in his first 10 seasons in coaching, making him one of only three men in major college football history to win at least 100 games in their first decade on the sideline.

• He led 65 wins in 6 seasons and led the Gators to BCS national championships during the 2006 and 2008 seasons.

• Urban Meyer earned a 104-23 record over 10 seasons with Bowling Green, Utah and Florida.

• From 2001-10, he had five 10-win seasons, two BCS titles with Florida and a 7-1 record in bowl games.

• His .819 win percentage is the 10th-highest all-time among coaches with a minimum of 10 years of experience and leads all active coaches fitting that minimum.

Meyer was born and raised near Toledo, Ohio, and has shared his excitement of returning: “I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to return to Ohio State,” said Meyer. “This University and the State of Ohio have enormous meaning to me. My duty is to ensure that Ohio State’s football program reflects and enhances the academic mission of the institution. I am part of it, I believe in it, and I will live it.”

For at least 6 years, he will live for Ohio State football. The new coach signed a 6-year, $16 million contract to coach the Buckeyes. Many other perks are included in the package as well, items like a private jet, golf membership, etc.

Even with all of the violations pending throughout the 2011 season, both the school, football team, and fans were able to maintain hope in their team. The Buckeyes are now doing everything they can to work their way back to the top, where the team, coach, and fans all believe they should be. The University opens Coach Urban Meyers with open arms. Welcome home, Urban.

(Some information in this story is from the Columbus Dispatch, NBC 4 News, Fox News, and ESPN.)