(RNN) – After weeks of speculation and denial, former Florida Gators head football coach Urban Meyer will take the reins of Ohio State’s football program, according to ESPN.
The sports network reported that Meyer would become the Buckeyes’ head football coach in a report on ESPN.com, citing multiple unnamed sources.
In recent days, speculation built to the point that Meyer issued a statement to ESPN before Thanksgiving saying, “I have not been offered any job nor is there a deal in place. I plan on spending Thanksgiving with my family and will not comment on this any further.”
The rumors weren’t quelled for long. On Friday, ESPN publicist Mike Humes tweeted, “Urban Meyer won’t be appearing on ESPN this weekend. He requested off his studio assignment and we obliged,” adding fuel to the speculative fire.
Meyer, a native Ohioan and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati who earned a master’s degree from Ohio State, was one of the fastest-rising young coaches in college football when he came to the University of Florida in 2005 after a successful stint at Utah. He delivered on expectations. In six seasons as the head coach, Meyer led the Gators to two SEC championships on the way to two national championships.
The first national championship came at the end of the 2006 season, culminating with a 41-14 rout over Ohio State in the BCS National Championship game.
Two seasons later his Gators again won the 2008 BCS national championship, beating the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners 24-14.
His tenure at Florida ended under unusual circumstances when he claimed he was having health problems.
http://www.19actionnews.com/story/16134377/report-buckeyes-take-urban-meyer
Article Courtesy of WOIO 19 Action News
