By John Nestor

Columbus, OH

Urban Meyer has apparently had enough time to get his health back in order and spend with his family.

Ohio State has announced the selection of Urban Meyer as its new football coach.

"In Urban Meyer we have found an exemplary person and remarkable coach to lead the University's football program into the future," said Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. "As an alumnus, he understands and believes in the core academic mission of the University. As an Ohioan, he shares our common values and sense of purpose."

Gene Smith, Ohio State's director of athletics and associate vice president, said that Meyer is "known not only as one of the nation's most successful coaches, but also as a leader and mentor who cares deeply about the young men who are his studentathletes. He brings with him an understanding of the University -- both the important traditions of its football program and the excellence of the institution.

The former Florida coach is an Ohio native who started his coaching career at Ohio State in 1986 as a graduate assistant. He won a pair of national titles with the Gators and will be called upon to rebuild a Buckeyes program that has had a laundry list of NCAA violations recently and just completed a 6-6 campaign.

Meyer spent six years as the coach at Florida before leaving a year ago citing health concerns and a desire to spend more time with his family. Now he takes over for Jim Tressel in Columbus.

Luke Fickell was the interim coach this season for Ohio State but was ultimately just keeping the seat warm for Meyer.

Fickell will continue to serve as the current team's head coach through any possible bowl appearance. He will remain on Coach Meyer's staff.

Meyer has been a head coach for 10 seasons at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida and posted a record of 104-23. He is 7-1 in bowl games and 4-0 in BCS bowl games.

He won the 2007 Bowl Championship Series title game while at Florida with a 41-14 victory over unbeaten and top-ranked Ohio State.

 

Urban Meyer becomes the 24th head coach in the history of Ohio State football.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, and raised in Ashtabula, Ohio, Meyer held a coaching internship at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati in 1985. The following year, he joined Coach Earle Bruce's Ohio State staff and spent two years as a graduate assistant while pursuing his master's degree.

Among Meyer's career highlights:

- Compiling a 65-15 record during six years as head coach at the University of Florida.

- Leading the Florida Gators to two Southeastern Conference championships and two national championships.

- Leading the University of Utah to a 22-2 record in two years.

- Taking the Utah Utes to the 2004 Fiesta Bowl as the first non-Bowl Championship Series (BCS) team to play in a BCS game.

- Being named national Coach of the Year in 2003 by the Sporting News and the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year and the Home Depot Coach of the Year in 2004.

- As head coach at Bowling Green, leading the Falcons to a 17-6 record, including a 5-1 mark versus schools from BCS conferences.

- Serving as assistant coach at Illinois State (two years), Colorado State (six years) and Notre Dame (five years).

 

 

Urban Meyer Set to Become New Football Coach at Ohio State