As the Atlanta Falcons continue their head-coaching search, former Ohio State Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer could potentially be an option.
Despite being out of football for two seasons, Meyer has been approached by two NFL teams regarding their coaching vacancies. Whether or not he makes the NFL jump is a decision Meyer intends to make within the week. His success in college has always made him an attractive candidate.
At least two teams reportedly have inquired about Urban Meyer, and the Lions make the most sense given Chris Spielman's recent arrival in the front office https://t.co/evv1yG6l1K
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 27, 2020
While coaching at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio State, Meyer posted a winning percentage of 85, with three national titles (two with Florida and one with Ohio State). If the Falcons want to go down the college route, his track record is hard to overlook.
When Meyer joined Ohio State in 2012, the university was in the midst of enduring NCAA sanctions and finished 12-0 with a final ranking of No. 3 in the country. With Notre Dame’s loss to Alabama in the BCS Title Game, Ohio State was the only undefeated team left in 2012 but were placed behind Alabama and Oregon.
Earlier in his coaching career, Meyer led Utah to unprecedented success and finished as the No. 4 team in the final AP rankings. Utah’s 35-7 win over Pittsburgh gave the school their first undefeated season since the middle of World War II.
Even with his many accomplishments, Meyer does come with some concerns. After he spent six years with the University of Florida and another seven years with Ohio State, he retired from each of those coaching jobs citing health issues and said he would never coach again after each stint.
During his time in Florida, he saw 30 players arrested over his six years and allegations of a drug problem in the locker room. At Ohio State, Meyer retired after a brutal offseason regarding his assistant coach Zach Smith, who had domestic violence issues going with his wife. Reports have indicated that Meyer was aware of both of Smith’s domestic violence incidents in 2009 and 2015.
Despite having success on the field everywhere he’s been, Meyer’s lack of control in the locker room may not bode well with NFL teams. The Falcons could entertain this idea but it may be in the team’s best interest to walk away.
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