Winning is magic elixir for Urban Meyer who vows to keep coaching
After a big win over rival Michigan, coincidentally or not, Urban Meyer has re-confirmed his intent to keep coaching Ohio State.
You can cancel any Urban Meyer retirement plans.
Things got off on the wrong foot for Meyer this year, as he was placed on leave for the first three games of the season after his handling (mishandling?) of domestic violence allegations against former assistant Zach Smith. The way he has looked on the sideline at times, especially during Ohio State’s loss to Purdue and a more recent narrow win over Maryland, led to speculation Meyer would step away at season’s end primarily for health reasons.
But through all of that, and even upon recently going into detail again regarding his health issues, Meyer has consistently said he intends to keep coaching.
During a press conference on Monday, heading into the Big Ten Championship Game this weekend against Northwestern, Meyer was asked about his plans beyond this season. As expected, he again declared his intention to keep coaching beyond this season.
"I plan to coach" Meyer said of his plans for next year.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) November 26, 2018
Of course, plans can and do change, and Meyer’s economy of words on the matter could be scrutinized by skeptics. But Ohio State also dominated Michigan 62-39 last Saturday, to win the Big Ten East, earn a spot in the conference title game and keep their College Football playoff hopes alive.
Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame are virtual locks for the playoff, barring conference title game losses for the first two that may open the door to others. The No. 4 spot has been narrowed to Ohio State and Oklahoma, assuming both win their respective conference championship games.
It’s said winning is a great deodorant, as flaws are set aside in the face of the most visible success. But beating Michigan (and Jim Harbaugh) in blowout fashion, while maintaining a chance to make the playoff and win a national title if the Buckeyes handle Northwestern as expected on Saturday night, seems to have cured all of Meyer’s visible ills.
Funny how that works.