It seems pretty clear that Urban Meyer is back on the job hunt, and not just for any position. He seems to be setting his sights on a role with deep pockets, specifically the largest budget in college football.
This is a job that could potentially become vacant if significant progress isn’t made in 2023. And where might this job be? Texas, of course.
In a recent episode of the Urban’s Take podcast, hosted by veteran Ohio State beat writer Tim May, Meyer declared that the Texas roster is arguably the best in college football. Despite his assertion last month that he was “done” with coaching, it seems he can’t resist stirring the pot. His comments are calculated, imbued with a sense of intent and future implications.
Current Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, in his third year in what many regard as the toughest job in college football, can’t afford another 3rd-place finish in the Big 12. Under Sarkisian, Texas has a 13-12 overall record (9-12 vs. Power 5 schools) and a 9-9 Big 12 record. These figures are not sufficient for a program that has had a high turnover of coaches since Mack Brown left after the 2013 season.
Meyer, aware of the pressure Sarkisian is under, seems to be subtly turning up the heat. If Texas fails to meet the high expectations set by Meyer’s statement, the big donor Texas boosters could use it as ammunition against Sarkisian.
And should Sarkisian get the boot, the same Texas booster money that helped replace Brown, Strong, and Herman could be used to start fresh once again, especially considering Texas’ move into its first season of SEC competition in 2024.
Bringing in a coach who won 2 national titles the last time he was in the conference could be an attractive prospect. Meyer could easily point to Florida’s success since his departure as a selling point to the Texas boosters.
Despite Meyer’s troubled past, which includes a disastrous NFL stint, a scandalous end at Ohio State, and a history of questionable behavior, it’s possible Texas could overlook these issues. After all, Meyer is a highly successful college coach, and at 58, he could still have a lot to offer.
Meyer’s track record shows a pattern of retiring for “health reasons” and then returning to coaching soon after. His short-lived NFL career ended in disgrace with allegations of assaulting a player during practice.
However, Meyer’s impressive record in college football, including as many conference championships and unbeaten seasons (4) as career Big Ten losses, could potentially outweigh these negatives.
By hyping up Texas’ roster and quarterback Quinn Ewers, Meyer is placing a target on Sarkisian’s back. His calculated comments suggest that he may be positioning himself for the Texas coaching job, should it become available.
Meyer’s tactics are as astute as they are cunning. And it’s not hard to see what he’s aiming for.
