Ohio State’s Urban Meyer To Retire From Coaching After Rose Bowl, Interim Coach Ryan Day To Replace Him

Bear Bryant coached until he was 68. Nick Saban is currently 69. But at only 54, Urban Meyer is retiring from Ohio State.

Meyer, who has a career record of 186-32, cited health problems as the main cause. The news at first comes as a shock. At his age, Meyer is one of the most accomplished head coaches of all time. He’s also one of the highest paid, making over $7.6 million with a contract through 2022. But Meyer has a history that points towards this.

Suspended Urban Meyer To Retire As Buckeyes Coach

As head coach of Florida, Meyer would abruptly resign following two national titles. He’s also got a well-documented health problem. “Yahoo Sports” reported that Meyer was suffering from severe headaches, possibly because of a congenital arachnoid cyst in his brain diagnosed in 1998. In October, it was reported that he underwent brain surgery during 2014. During the most recent season, Meyer was seen grabbing his head during a close game against Maryland and he also kneeled down in pain during a win over Indiana. Meyer has been with Ohio State since 2012.

Meyer leaves behind a complicated legacy. On one hand, he could have tied Bryant and Saban for the most NCAA National Championships. He brought Alex Smith to the spotlight, led Tim Tebow to a Heisman, and then saved Ohio State’s football program with third-string quarterback Cardale Jones. He also never lost to Michigan. This year, he beat the Wolverines 62-39 and earned a Rose Bowl berth.

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However, the news of Meyer’s retirement comes in the wake of his three-game suspension to start off the year. Meyer was aware that his longtime receivers coach Zach Smith was named in multiple allegations of domestic violence. Meyer did not report the allegations to Ohio State and then misled the media about it. He also presided over a Florida Gators program that had at least 25 players arrested and featured late New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez, who was convicted of homicide before dying in jai of neurodegenerative disease CTE.

Meyer may retire as one of the winningest college football coaches. But he also retires leaving behind plenty of shortcomings. Ryan Day, the Buckeyes’ 39-year-old offensive coordinator, will replace him as head coach. Day stepped in as the Buckeyes’ interim coach after Meyer’s suspension.