Legendary Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer never lost to Michigan during his seven-year tenure from 2012 to 2018, but he might seem to be siding with the Wolverines? Michigan has been involved in a nearly two-year-long scandal that has cast a shadow over Michigan’s 2023 national championship season.
The NCAA issued a notice of allegations in August 2024, citing 11 violations, six of which are classified as Level 1, the most severe. ESPN's Dan Whetzel recently reported that Michigan’s head coach Sherrone Moore will serve a self-imposed two-game suspension for deleting text messages with Connor Stalions.
Meyer recently reacted to this news and shared his perspective on the ongoing NCAA investigation. Speaking on The Triple Option podcast with Rob Stone, Meyer, a three-time national champion, addressed the controversy surrounding Michigan’s advanced scouting violations with three interesting thoughts that voice frustration with the NCAA and how their poor enforcement of the rules has led to this point.
Urban Meyer doesn't think the NCAA should drop the hammer on Michigan just yet
Meyer, whose rivalry with Michigan defined a large amount of his Ohio State legacy, reflected on when the first punishment for the allegations came from the Big Ten prior to the Michigabn vs Penn State game. He emphasized the need for fairness and clarity in the NCAA’s handling of such cases: “My initial reaction was pump the brakes... find out if it’s true.”
At first, he could not believe some allegations, such as a staffer allegedly disguising themselves to videotape opposing sidelines, with his co-host Stone calling it “Hollywood stuff.” Yet, as evidence mounted, Meyer acknowledged the seriousness of the violations, and the poor argument that everyone does this by exclaiming, "Everyone does what?" After his nearly 40-year career in college coaching, he called this “relatively unprecedented waters.”
The theme of Meyer’s commentary was his frustration with the NCAA, which he believes has been inconsistent in dealing with those who break the rules. “The NCAA is to blame,” Meyer stated, arguing that the organization’s lack of consistency and decisive action has diminished its authority.
One of the historical examples Meyer cited was when the NCAA imposed a severe penalty, which resulted in a full season ban. Meyer said he would reference this case to his players, in case they were caught using performance-enhancing drugs, to try to deter such behavior. Meyer contrasted this with the current leniency toward coaches, questioning why the NCAA fails to hold them to the same standard.
The situation Meyer referenced was the case of Dez Bryant, who was suspended for the final nine games of his junior season for lying to the NCAA. “Why is Dez Bryant treated more harshly than coaches that maybe lied to the NCAA?” Meyer asked. “If this guy’s not telling the truth, why is he coaching? He’s done. Yeah, you’re finished.”
Meyer advocates for a clear rule: coaches who lie to the NCAA should face career-ending consequences. He argues that this kind of consequence, being clearly stated at the front of the NCAA rule book, would deter cheating and lying about that cheating. “If you lie to the NCAA, your career is over in college football,” he insisted, suggesting that this would eliminate the “willy-nilly” nature of current sanctions.
Urban Meyer doesn't think Michigan should vacate its 2023 natty
When asked whether Michigan’s 2023 national championship should be vacated due to the scandal, Meyer was unequivocal: “Pump the brakes. Don’t even go there.”
Meyer briefly referenced show-cause penalties for coaches and how other coaches see that penalty and realize the severity of not being able to coach anymore. However, Meyer did not have much to say, so he ended his answer with, "If someone wants to hire you, you're not allowed to coach. So obviously there's some stuff there," seemingly emphasizing his point that harsh punishments will deter inappropriate behavior.
Meyer then went on to caution against premature judgments, emphasizing the need for all facts to emerge before considering such a drastic measure. Meyer concluded by saying, "But once again I defer until everything comes out, and I hope it does. I hope everything comes out."
Meyer’s interview underscores the largest issue in college football today: the NCAA’s struggle to maintain authority amid legal challenges and shifting power dynamics. Programs like Tennessee and Arizona State faced Level 1 violations and received punishments like vacated wins and probation, which do little to punish those involved in the violations.
“Everyone starts laughing” at vacated wins, Meyer remarked. He argues that the penalty "has no impact." He sees it as a risk-reward saying, "That means there's no risk and a great reward."
With the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions preparing for a hearing on June 6-7 to determine Michigan’s fate, Meyer’s insights give fans a view from a coaches perspective that even though some fans might want to see the national championship go away, coaches in college football, "rolls their eyes," at vacated wins.
Meyer's call for transparency, consistency, and severe consequences for breaking the rules and deceit offers fans an insight into what truly matters to coaches, showing what punishments can actually prevent situations like this from happening again. Unfortunately, even though Michigan cheated, there doesn't seem to be a punishment out there that can actually make them pay for their scandalous ways and questionable morality.