Source: Kirk Irwin / Getty
Ohio State University head football coach Urban Meyer has announced his retirement. Meyer is planning to coach the team in the Rose Bowl New Year’s Day when the Buckeyes face the Washington Huskies in Pasadena, California.
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Current offensive coordinator Ryan Day will replace Meyer as head coach effective January 2.
Meyer, 54, lead the Buckeyes to an 82-9 record over his seven years in Columbus, which included a national championship in 2014 and a 7-0 record against Michigan.
For Buckeye fans, the news comes as no surprise, as Meyer has battled with a cyst over the past few years, which caused him to drop to a knee on the sideline during the Indiana game. Meyer had brain surgery to drain the cyst in the spring of 2014, and another surgery is an option for treatment. It would be tough for Meyer to go on the way things were this season.
In addition to the health issues, this season started in turmoil as Meyer became the center of a domestic abuse investigation with form assistant coach Zach Smith. Meyer was suspended for three games without pay for failing to report on the incident. The Buckeyes went 3-0 in his absence.
During Day’s three-game tenure this season the Buckeyes picked up a huge win against a then No. 15th ranked TCU team. Day is just 39-years-old.
Upon Meyer’s return, the Buckeyes struggled defensively and the coaching staff seemed to not be on the same page at times. It became obvious in a 49-20 blowout loss to Purdue October 20.
Meyer still was able to reel this group in enough to pick up a 62-39 win over Michigan and his third Big Ten Championship over Northwestern this past Saturday.
Meyer’s .851 winning percentage is No. 1 among all active coaches with at least five years of experience at an FBS school
We will keep you updated as this story develops.
