Urban Meyer was officially introduced as Ohio State University's new head football coach on Monday. Ohio State Athletics Director Gene Smith and President E. Gordon Gee introduced their new coach.
Urban Meyer Introduced As Ohio State Football Coach
“This is the right time for Urban Meyer to lead our football program,” said Smith. “He is without a shadow of a doubt one of the premier leaders in football.”
“I am deeply honored and humbled ... to lead the Ohio State University football program,” added Meyer. “I plan on assembling the best coaching staff in college football and winning Big Ten championships. It’s good to be home.”
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Asked about his health and why he’s returning so soon after leaving Florida due to health issues, Meyer said, “I didn’t feel right, but I feel fantastic now.”
Meyer also said, “If it were not for the coaching opportunity at Ohio State, I would not have coached this year ... A year ago, in my mind, I was convinced I was done coaching.”
“I dont want to be one of those guys that sleeps in his office and thinks, ‘I missed this, I missed that.”
Meyer said that interim coach Luke Fickell would remain on the staff as an assistant. "Shelly and I prayed on it and ultimately I want him as part of the team."
Fickell’s specific position on Meyer’s staff has yet to be determined. He will remain in his current role as interim head coach through the end of the bowl season.
Meyer took special time to make note of his new quarterback, Braxton Miller. “The highlight of my day was easily meeting Braxton Miller. That was the highlight of my day ... shaking hands with that good-looking quarterback.”
Meyer, who led Florida to national championships in 2006 and 2008, started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio State in 1986.
“My six years in Florida? That was my dream job. ... I will always be a Gator.”
The 47-year-old Ohio native is a three-time national coach of the year with an overall record of 104-23. He took his first head coaching job at Bowling Green in 2001 and posted a record of 17-6 in two seasons with the Falcons before moving on to coach the Utah Utes, whom he guided to a mark of 22-2 in two seasons. Meyer closed out his Utah stint with 16 consecutive wins. He then spent six seasons in Gainesville and led the Florida Gators to a record of 64-15 with a pair of national championships.
Ohio State also released an official announcement of the hiring along with contract details.
For more Ohio State, head to Buckeyes blog Along The Olentangy and Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire. For more college football news, stay tuned to SB Nation.
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