Ohio State Football: Urban Meyer is more than a coach

A look at the head coach of the Ohio State football team, Urban Meyer, and how his role is much larger than just being a coach.

On November 28th, 2011, Urban Meyer accepted and was later introduced as the head coach at The Ohio State University following the “forgotten year” of the Ohio State football program. The Toledo native was returning home to coach his beloved Buckeyes and return them to the pinnacle of the college football world.

Alongside his contract from the University, Meyer signed one of even more importance with his family prior to signing his formal document from Ohio State. The contract, which was written out by his daughter, Nicki, on a pink piece of paper contained ten promises he was to uphold in his return to coaching.

As reported by Football Scoop the ten promises read as follows:

1. My family always comes first
2. I will take care of myself and maintain good health
3. I will go on a trip once a year with Nicki (minimum)
4. I will not go more than 9 hours a day at the office
5. I will sleep with my cell phone on silent
6. I will continue to communicate daily with my kids
7. I will trust God’s plan and not be overanxious
8. I will keep the lake house
9. I will find a way to watch Nicki and Gigi play volleyball
10. I will eat three meals a day

Accepting the position at Ohio State was deeper than just getting a new job or even moving states. Urban Meyer has scarlet and gray running through his blood. Meyer first served as a Graduate Assistant under legendary coach Earle Bruce, who quickly became his mentor.

Amid NCAA sanctions, Meyer resurrected an average football team and maximized the production of his coaches and players en route to a perfect 12-0 regular season. The Buckeyes would stay hot and win their first twenty-four games in the Urban Meyer era giving the head coach his third twenty game winning streak.

In his time at Ohio State, Meyer has compiled an active, unprecedented 77-9 record, a ridiculous .895 winning percentage, while bringing in two Big Ten titles and a National Championship victory as his 2014 squad overcame adversity from all angles to win the inaugural College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes have also peaked in the Top-2 of the rankings every season beside 2012 (highest No. 3) during his tenure.

The accolades of Coach Meyer, in terms of winning, are a list a mile long, however, the legacy he is building is much more than that. The very second Meyer stepped foot in Columbus the culture shifted, the gloomy air was refreshed, and lives began getting transformed.

Some may say Urban Meyer has underachieved in his time at Ohio State as he has “left National Championships on the table.” In reality, underachieving is simply not the case. The expectations at Ohio State are “National Championship or bust” and “demanding perfection” annually.

No coach is capable of constant perfection, because they are human too. It is evident Meyer pours his heart and soul into his Buckeyes even despite dealing with occasional complications from an arachnoid cyst which can cause him to have severe headaches and pain, even on the sideline.

Notwithstanding, he is supposedly the most dedicated, passionate, and intense coach of our generation who has zero tolerance for average. In fact, Meyer doesn’t even want to be around you if you are average which he established immediately during fall camp of 2012 alongside many other principles and core values.

Within the football program, Meyer has a direct influence as a role model on his players and coaches both current and former. He also prepares them for life after football with weekly programs like Real Life Wednesdays and leadership training which gives the team and staff connections and experiences that will last a lifetime.

Meyer also has an indirect impact on fans and others around the world like myself. The man receives votes on official electoral ballots yearly in the Ohio. Sure, it may be out of fandom, but it still speaks volumes as to how Meyer is viewed in his home state.

For years I have looked up to and learned from Coach Meyer whether it is through listening to his motivational or life-advising speeches on YouTube, reading his book, Above the Line, or simply by example. In doing so, I have applied what I have learned from Meyer to my daily life in my efforts to always strive to be the best version of myself.

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Over the years Meyer has restored and led the Ohio State football program, countless fresh memories have been created that fans, players, coaches, and myself will never forget. Most notably, the 2014 season as a whole which culminated in the Buckeyes’ first National Title in twelve seasons.

Being a Buckeye is deeper than simple fandom, it is family, especially since the Meyers have become the “First Family” of the State of Ohio. A Buckeye is rooted in tradition, driven by dedication, and filled and fueled with passion. Buckeye Nation wins together, ends the world after losing together, but always stands united behind their beloved Buckeyes and coach.

Urban Meyer, undeservingly so, takes an obscene amount of heat from the media regarding issues or performances of which they are ignorant in some regard. No, Meyer is not the perfect coach and he has faults, but the truth is nobody is the perfect coach.

If only the media and the public knew Meyer like Buckeye Nation does from afar, as his coaches and players as a mentor, and as his children and wife, Shelley, know him as a husband, father, and best friend – as more than just a coach.