Urban Legend Begins For Buckeyes
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Confirming what CBSMiami.com and other media outlets reported last week, former University of Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer has agreed to become the next head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Meyer left the Gators after the 2010 season citing health concerns and his desire to spend more time with his family.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith hasn't made any public comment, but a team meeting has reportedly been scheduled for Monday afternoon.
Meyer has averaged 10 wins per season in his 10 years as a head coach. He spent two years at Bowling Green, two at Utah, and six at Florida.
Through that time period, he won two national championships and was 7-1 overall in bowl games through his career.
Urban Meyer is a native Ohioan and has never made it a secret that he has two dream jobs: Ohio State and Notre Dame.
He almost took the Notre Dame job before heading to Florida. But now, he has his dream job and is walking into a mess left for him by former coach Jim Tressel.
Ohio State is facing NCAA sanctions from multiple rule violations.
Tressel was fired because he knew but didn't tell his superiors that multiple Ohio State players had broken NCAA rules by accepting cash and free or discounted tattoos.
The school was hit with more suspensions after three players accepted $200 in cash for attending a charity event. Other players were either held out of games or had their suspensions extended for being overpaid for summer jobs.
The NCAA cited the Buckeyes program with a "failure to monitor" label, which is the second worst charge from the NCAA, outside of "lack of institutional control."
That means the school is facing a potential bowl ban, more scholarship losses, or other penalties from the NCAA.
The Buckeyes self-imposed two years of probation, vacated all victories from 2010, gave back bowl revenue, and will give up five scholarships over the next three seasons.
The NCAA can either agree to those penalties or choose to increase the penalties for the program.
Ohio State is likely going to be looking for a new athletic director in the coming days.
Current athletic director Gene Smith wasn't involved with the courting of Meyer and is expected to either step down or be forced out soon.
The Buckeyes finished the 2011 season with a 6-6 record and unlike the University of Miami, will participate in a bowl game if they're invited.
Still, the cupboard is not bare for Meyer at Ohio State. The Buckeyes return starting quarterback Braxton Miller, whose skill set matches up perfectly with Meyer's preferred form of offense.
He'll also get his top two running backs back next season; along with the team's top receiver and top tight end.
