Will Urban Meyer Return to College Football Coaching?

Introduction

Recent news suggests that Urban Meyer might be transitioning from his role as a professional football coach to a new phase in his career—broadcasting for FOX College Football this season. This move has sparked debates regarding his future in college football coaching. After his exit from the college coaching realm in 2010, Meyer did not remain idle for long, resuming his coaching career in just one year. With the ever-changing landscape of college football, the question remains: can Urban Meyer adapt to the new college football environment?

Adaptability in College Football

Several significant changes have occurred in college football since 2018, including NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, athlete compensation, and the transfer portal gaining wider popularity. These changes have reshaped how coaches must interact with players, manage their programs, and maintain a positive public image. InIELD 2018, programs were still adjusting to the traditional twenty-four hour rule regarding contact with players. Now, with NIL compensation and the transfer portal, college coaches need to be more familiar with these new regulations to succeed.

Considering these changes, the question arises: can Urban Meyer adapt to the new college football landscape? Despite his past successes and the public's perception of him, Meyer would need to show his willingness and ability to embrace these new strategies and policies to be a viable candidate for any coaching position.

Coaching Involvement and Public Perception

While many schools might have an interest in hiring Urban Meyer, the likelihood of him securing an NFL job in the near future is low. Financially, he likely does not need to seek another coaching position. However, his public reputation remains a significant barrier. His departure from professional football was due to being fired, and his behavior both on and off the field has attracted scrutiny and criticism. These factors could make potential employers question whether he would be a positive addition to their program.

Why Meyer Might Want to Coach

Despite this, Urban Meyer is described as a lifelong coach who is too young to quit. He has shown a strong passion for the game and a commitment to coaching. It is plausible that he might be enticed to return to the college coaching ranks even if there are better financial prospects elsewhere. However, the challenge lies in overcoming his past controversies and the damage they have done to his reputation.

Public and Institutional Concerns

Any potential employer hiring Urban Meyer would face significant scrutiny from the public and institutional stakeholders. Regrettably, the phrase "hire at your own risk" might best describe this situation. Regents and university presidents would likely have several critical questions for an athletic director considering hiring Meyer.

Questions for an AD Considerating Hiring Urban Meyer

What makes you think any potential recruit would want to play for this man other than a kid with nowhere else to go?

Should the parents of a kid considering your institution point to your department and ask for a guarantee that this man will not strike their son…are you able to in your right mind give that guarantee?

Has this man had past problems with hiring assistants who have been alleged to have known issues regarding racism and/or misogyny?

It's public knowledge on record with video evidence that this man chose to not return home with his NFL team after an embarrassing loss and instead chose to stay behind, go to a bar, and party, such partying to include rubbing his cock across a young woman's ass. Do you believe this sort of behavior would reflect positively on you, your department, or your institution?

In conclusion, if the university is a publicly funded institution, there is a high likelihood that tax-paying citizens and boosters would have additional questions and concerns. Given the persistent scrutiny and the potential damage to the institution's reputation, it seems unlikely that Urban Meyer's controversial actions will fade quickly. By that time, he might find it more suitable for a more sedentary role, such as a coach in a rocking chair, rather than in the fast-paced world of college football coaching.