Home/College Football
Home/College Football
feature-image

Imago

feature-image

Imago

It’s been close to 20 days since Penn State fired James Franklin, and for AD Pat Kraft, his head coach search is bearing no fruit. Indiana and Nebraska have secured their head coaches from the Penn State threat with contract extensions. But for University Park, the search is still on. On their head coach carousel, Urban Meyer was another name. But will the former head coach, who called his last play in 2018, return for another stint?

Watch What’s Trending Now!

His recent activity had all Nittany Lions’ faithful delighted, further stoking those flames. Last week, Urban Meyer met with Senator Dave McCormick, and the conversation centered on “leadership, teamwork, and serving something bigger than yourself.” According to sports personality Craig Carton, the meeting concerned the Penn State job. With three national titles on his resume, Penn State’s interest in him seems obvious. So, naturally, fans are eager to know if the celebrated coach will get down from the broadcasting box to the sidelines.

On Friday, he made his coaching intentions pretty clear. “I don’t have a desire,” Meyer responded to reporter Kellyanne Stitts’ question regarding the rumors. Stitts further wrote. “Despite eight Power 4 schools looking for head football coaches, including Penn State, LSU, and Florida, Urban Meyer is not interested in getting back into coaching.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Beginning his coaching journey as a graduate assistant at Ohio State, Meyer would go on to reform four college programs over his career, spanning three decades.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Over his 18-year-long head coaching years, he transformed OSU, Florida, Utah, and Bowling Green. Although he joined ESPN as an analyst in 2011, while coaching the Gators, he called one game every week during the regular season. However, Urban Meyer has put forward OSU OC Brian Hartline, ready to handle head coaching duties.

“I’m a big Brian Hartline fan, always have been, and he just needed the experience (as an OC). I’m glad he stayed (at OSU), he had a chance to leave, and he learned from us and (Buckeyes head) coach (Ryan) Day, and I think he’s ready.” Although Meyer has provided a crisp reply on returning to his head coaching duties, he is part of the new tradition at the OSU vs. Penn State matchup.

Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports

Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports

Urban Meyer will be present for the OSU vs PSU new tradition

Celebrated former OSU coach Urban Meyer will be present at the Horseshoe for his former roster’s game against Penn State. Not just as part of the Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, but the Buckeyes are honoring him with a special tradition.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

This season, Ohio State has introduced a new tradition, with Meyer featuring as the victory bell ringer. “THE Bell Ringer vs. Penn State will be none other than National Championship-winning Hall of Fame Head Coach Urban Meyer 🏆🌰,” OSU shared on X. This new tradition has been started to add to the in-game experience for the fans at the Buckeyes stadium. T

he tradition is not new, with the bell being rung following home wins. But Ryan Day’s twist is calling for it to be used as a pre-game ritual to hype up the crowd, with distinguished figures as the victory bell ringer. “It’s great to see him recognized,” Day said about Meyer getting the honor. “He had a huge influence on my life and so many people here. One of the best coaches in the history of college football.”

Meyer coached OSU from 2012 to 2018, with a sweet 7-0 record against the team up north. After Meyer retired in 2018, Day took the reins of the program. Meyer will be the fifth celebrated individual to ring the bell on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT