Urban Meyer has ruled out a potential return to coaching, despite multiple high-profile college football job openings at Penn State, LSU, and Florida this season. The former Ohio State and Florida Gators coach expressed no desire to return to the sidelines, even as several top positions remain vacant.
It has been nearly four years since Meyer’s tumultuous tenure as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. His short NFL career is the polar opposite of his college career—where he went 187-32 in the college ranks—compared to his 2-11 record with Jacksonville after three years at the NFL level.
Several highly-touted jobs are available at Penn State, LSU, and Meyer’s former employer in Florida. But don’t expect Meyer to get back on the field. Meyer was asked by WSYX if he had any thoughts on returning to coaching, and he kept his answer short and sweet: ‘I don’t have a desire.’
Meyer actually endorsed OSU assistant Brian Hartline, who he has ‘always’ been a ‘big fan’ of. ‘Just needs the experience. I’m glad he stayed here. He had a chance to leave, and he learned from us and learned from coach Ryan Day. So I think he’s ready,’ he said.
Billy Napier, Brian Kelly, and James Franklin have all been axed this season, and there are currently five other Power Four jobs open. Meyer’s last college game was the 2019 Rose Bowl, where his Buckeyes defeated Washington, 28-23.
While the coaching landscape is in flux, Meyer has made it clear his focus is elsewhere. As the college football world continues to shift, the former coach remains committed to his current activities, signaling a definitive end to his potential return to the sidelines.