Urban Meyer vs. College Football: Ben Axelrod Compares Urban to Peers
Interview with Ben Axelrod discussing his new book about Urban Meyer.
Hitting the market this week is Urban Meyer vs. College Football, The Case for College Football’s Greatest Coach, a new book written by Ben Axelrod.
Axelrod is a senior writer covering Ohio State at Land of 10 and hosts the “Inside the Shoe” podcast. He has been covering Ohio State athletics for eight years and has written for Bleacher Report, Buckeye Sports Bulletin/Scout.com and Rivals.com. He graduated from OSU in 2011.
In his book, Axelrod explores a wide-ranging of topics including Meyer’s early years, how he stacks up against his rivals, who he idols and what his legacy has been to the game already.
Axelrod’s quest is to answer the question of whether Meyer is the greatest of all time. He certainly makes a strong case, but Meyer is among some very tough candidates. The jury is still out.
I caught up with Axelrod earlier this month to discuss his book, the Ohio State football program and Urban Meyer.
What inspired you to write the book?
What Urban Meyer did in 2014 was so remarkable. From the fourth seed, third-string quarterback, it made for an interesting legacy. He’s carved out his place in college by all measures. The uniqueness of his resume.
You write that you don’t have a Mt. Rushmore of college coaching, why not?
The eras are so unique that comparing is so hard, especially against coaches like Woody, Bear and Ara.
You compare Meyer to the heavyweights over the last three decades, Bowden, Spurrier, Stoops, Saban, Dantonio and Harbaurgh. Why do you think Meyer has struggled against Swinney and Dantonio?
With Clemson, it was two unique situations. In 2013, it was the coming out game for their program under Swinney versus disappointment for OSU after losing the Big Ten Championship. Last year they were just better against a young team.
Dantonio is the anti-Urban Myer. Rugged approach by getting the three-star players and developing them. Schematically, Michigan State is a touch matchup.
Why Carroll?
Carroll and Meyer have never coached against each other, but the parallels between them and how they built their programs, you have to compare them. This would have been a dream match up.
Is Tom Herman becoming a rival?
Yes. Out of all the assistants on Meyer’s coaching tree, Herman is the most promising. He’s at a blue blood college football program with access to the resources and talent pipeline. Far and away one of the best assistants Meyer has had.
You compare Meyer to his idols including Hayes, Tressel, Schembechler and Paterno. Do you think Meyer and Woody would have argued over his offense? The objective is still a power running game. Maybe he could have convinced Woody to utilize the quarterback as a runner more?
Woody probably would have laughed at Meyer’s approach around the recruiting trail, using technology and dealing with divas.
Why Paterno over Lou Holtz and Earle Bruce?
I tried to find a balance of coaches that were considered long-time greats and had relationships with Meyer. As great as Holtz and Bruce were, Joe Pa’s resume stacks up and provides a unique angle.
What do you consider to be Meyer’s greatest gift?
His overall focus on the big picture. This has evolved as he got to OSU. Everything is connected, game planning, recruiting, player development. He’s found a formula that works.
Two of the top legacies that Meyer has right now are the winning percentage and championships. Which do you think he cherishes more?
The championships. The bond that a championship forms among the players, the relationships developed, that’s hard to beat.
He’s been around Belichick, Spurrier, Schiano, Saban. Do you think he’ll give the pros a shot?
I don’t know right now. 2014, maybe. He’s accomplished and has everything going right now. He’s made the money. Like Belichick, Meyer is at the point in his career where he gets to coach guys he likes, that fit his culture and program.
Tell me more about what you learned throughout the process that you may have not known before writing the book?
Coaching in general. Every coach goes from one job to another because there is always connection, to the coordinators or the assistants.
What is not in the book that you wanted to put in it?
Expand Urban’s idols. I focused mostly on his contemporaries, but Holtz and Rockne are deserving of a chapter.