SB Nation Cleveland - Urban Meyer Hire is a Huge Boost for the Future of Buckeyes and QB Braxton Miller https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48841/cleveland-fave.png2011-11-30T15:35:52-06:00http://cleveland.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23355892011-11-30T15:35:52-06:002011-11-30T15:35:52-06:00Urban Meyer Hire is a Huge Boost for the Future of Buckeyes and QB Braxton Miller
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<p>With the flurry of news reports coming into Columbus these days, it would be easy to miss something like quarterback Braxton Miller winning the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year award, an award that was last given to an Ohio State player in 2008 when Terrelle Pryor was a freshman.</p>
<p>For the rest of the Big Ten, this is something that’s really scary for opposing teams going forward, because even in a year where freshman were not contributing across the board in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes found a really good one and he just so happens to fit perfectly into new head coach Urban Meyer’s offensive philosophy.</p>
<p>Miller will grow as a passer. He made some throws this year that are an indication of that, but it’s clear that his strength is running the football, and that will be magnified with the addition of Meyer to this storied football history. I think over the next two or three years (depending on Miller’s <span class="caps">NFL</span> status), this could turn out to be a marriage that drives the rest of the conference crazy, and teams are going to need to take notice.</p>
<p>Not only is Miller going to be made better simply by the installation of Meyer’s offense, but now they are going to be able to recruit the blue-collar guys for the trenches and then dip into the southeast for skill position players, which gave Florida that deadly combination of size and speed during Meyer’s tenure there.</p>
<p>Ohio State has always recruited the midwest really well, and now you are talking about adding speed all across the board at cornerback, running back, receiver, linebacker, and safety. Not to mention, quarterback.</p>
<p>This is going to be a style that is uncommon in terms of the rest of the Big Ten. Ohio State is going to be a high-powered, potent offensive attack and they will have a big, tough, fast defense. The rest of the Big Ten has been mostly blue-collar guys who are overachievers, but that is going to have to change if teams want to keep pace with the Buckeyes.</p>
<p>I am not saying Urban Meyer is going to essentially bring an <span class="caps">SEC</span> team to the Big Ten, but I am kind of saying that. He’s going to get great athletes to come to Columbus, and he’s going to be able to recruit the best of the best in the midwest year in and year out.</p>
<p>This is a great move for the Buckeyes for the long term, but in the short term, Braxton Miller has got to be ecstatic about playing in the offense where Meyer recruited and signed three first round picks, two of them who went first overall in the draft (Alex Smith, Cam Newton, Tim Tebow).</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2011/11/30/2601242/urban-meyer-hire-is-a-huge-boost-for-the-future-of-buckeyes-and-qbSayre Bedinger2011-11-28T16:46:15-06:002011-11-28T16:46:15-06:00Urban Meyer Press Conference: Ohio State Coach Says It's Good To Be Home
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<p>Urban Meyer was announced as the new head coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ohio-st-buckeyes">Ohio State Buckeyes</a> football program at a press conference on Monday afternoon, a couple of weeks after first being rumored that he would be leaving ESPN to take the reigns of the program. Meyer seemed happy to return to the school.</p>
<p>"It's good to be home," Meyer said when being congratulated by the media for his new coaching position. The coach began his career as a graduate assistant at Ohio State while earning his master's degree in sports administration in 1988.</p>
<p>Meyer also announced that <a target="_blank" href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2011/11/28/2593091/urban-meyer-luke-fickell-ohio-state/in/2335589">Luke Fickell would remain with his new coaching staff</a>, in a position to be determined, but he would be looking for the best available coaches from around the country to fill out his staff. He cited his excellent staff with the Gators while describing how he'd like his new staff to look with the Buckeyes.</p>
<p>Athletic Director Gene Smith said that the school first contacted Meyer on Nov. 20 and the coach agreed to coach the school on Sunday. Meyer confirmed that the school first "put its feelers" out last weekend, despite reports that surfaced prior to that connecting the two parties.</p>
<p><i>For more on Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes, be sure to visit SB Nation's <a href="http://www.alongtheolentangy.com/" target="_blank">Along the Olentangy</a>.</i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2011/11/28/2593302/urban-meyer-press-conference-ohio-stateScott Schroeder2011-11-28T16:26:34-06:002011-11-28T16:26:34-06:00Luke Fickell Will Coach Ohio State's Bowl Game, Remain On Urban Meyer's Staff
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<p>Luke Fickell took over as the interim head coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ohio-st-buckeyes">Ohio State Buckeyes</a> football program when Jim Tressel resigned earlier this year, leading the team to a 6-6 record this season. The school named Urban Meyer as its permanent head coach on Monday afternoon, but Fickell will remain on staff and coach the school's bowl game.</p>
<p>Gene Smith, the Ohio State athletic director, announced at the press conference that Fickell would remain in his current position for the remainder of the season. Smith also <a href="http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112811aae.html" target="_blank">commented on the movement in a press release</a>.</p>
<p>"I want to express my enormous gratitude to Luke Fickell," said Gene Smith. "During the past several months, he has demonstrated true leadership and devotion to the University and his players. He will continue to be a great asset to our program."</p>
<p><i>For more on Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes, be sure to visit SB Nation's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.alongtheolentangy.com/">Along the Olentangy</a>.</i></p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2011/11/28/2593091/urban-meyer-luke-fickell-ohio-stateScott Schroeder2011-11-28T16:16:13-06:002011-11-28T16:16:13-06:00Urban Meyer To Ohio State Contract Details Includes Six-Year Deal
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<p>Urban Meyer has officially been announced as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/ohio-st-buckeyes">Ohio State Buckeyes</a> next head coach, a move that was rumored for quite awhile but only came to fruition early Monday morning. The school released Meyer's contract details prior to a press conference on Monday afternoon.</p>
<p>Meyer will make a salary of $4 million per year in the six-year contract, but <a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/osu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/112811-fb-contract.pdf" target="_blank">could make quite a bit more based on certain bonuses</a>.</p>
<p>The former head coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/florida-gators">Florida Gators</a> will receive supplemental compensation bonuses based on achieving certain milestones including academic accomplishments for the football program and retention payments of $450,000, $750,000 and $1.2 million if Meyer remains with the school through January 31, 2018 -- payable every two years, starting in 2014.</p>
<p>The university added that "in concluding this agreement, the university undertook certain benchmarking of comparable contracts."</p>
<p>For more on Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes, be sure to visit SB Nation's <a href="http://www.alongtheolentangy.com/" target="_blank">Along the Olentangy</a>.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2011/11/28/2593051/urban-meyer-contract-ohio-stateScott Schroeder2011-11-28T10:59:34-06:002011-11-28T10:59:34-06:00UPDATE: Ohio State Has 5:15 Press Conference To Announce Meyer As Head Coach
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<p>it appears that the rumors about Urban Meyer taking over as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes are true, as the school is expected to have a press conference at 5:15 p.m. Monday to officially announce him as coach:</p>
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<p><img src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/972452686/bigten_exec-conlisk_3_normal.jpg" alt="Elizabeth Conlisk" data-user-id="22833960" width="48" height="48"> <a data-user-id="22833960" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/BTNElizabeth" title="Elizabeth Conlisk">BTNElizabeth</a> Elizabeth Conlisk <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23BTN" title="#BTN" rel="nofollow"><s>#</s><b>BTN</b></a> & <a data-ultimate-url="http://btn.com/" href="http://t.co/5CLC6eoh" data-expanded-url="http://BTN.com" title="http://btn.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">BTN.com</a> will have live coverage of press conference announcing Urban Meyer as new <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Buckeyes" title="#Buckeyes" rel="nofollow"><s>#</s><b>Buckeyes</b></a> head coach at 5:15 PM ET.</p>
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<p>Rumors are also beginning to swirl as to who will be on Meyer's staff once he takes over. Former Arizona coach Mike Stoops is expected to become the new defensive coordinator in Columbus, while current head coach Luke Fickell will reportedly remain on staff:</p>
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<p><img src="http://a2.twimg.com/profile_images/1355768661/10TV_normal.jpg" alt="10TV.com" data-user-id="15304100" width="48" height="48"> <a data-user-id="15304100" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/10TV" title="10TV.com">10TV</a> 10TV.com BREAKING: Sources: Luke Fickell To Remain At Ohio State <a data-ultimate-url="http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2011/11/28/ohio-state-luke-fickell.html" href="http://t.co/ay2zgGwB" data-expanded-url="http://is.gd/JwIIGr" title="http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2011/11/28/ohio-state-luke-fickell.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">is.gd/JwIIGr</a></p>
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<p>If Meyer does sign he will bring two National championships as well as a spotless 4-0 record in BCS bowls during his time at Florida and Utah. Meyer began his head coaching career in Ohio at Bowling Green.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2011/11/28/2592202/update-ohio-state-urban-meyerTravis Miller2011-11-28T09:14:39-06:002011-11-28T09:14:39-06:00Urban Meyer To Ohio State UPDATE: Agent Denies Rumors
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<p>The rumors that Urban Meyer was a done deal at Ohio State appear to be a bit premature, as Meyer's agent is now denying that a deal has been reached. According to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports, Meyer has yet to <a href="http://dennis-dodd.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270202/33563796">officially accept the job with the Buckeyes</a>:</p>
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<p>"I can’t," Trace Armstrong told CBSSports.com "There’s no hangup. I’ve got to leave it at that out of respect to Urban and the school. This is not my style to be out there in public like this. It’s to be discreet. Those folks [ESPN] have made a decision. I'm so disappointed that ESPN would go forward with something like this."</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, SB Nation's Spencer Hall has already produced a piece on Meyer's upcoming tenure at OSU. Hall, a Florida fan and the creator of the highly successful Everyday Should Be Saturday, is intimately familiar with Meyer's tenure in Gainesville that brought the Gators a<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/11/28/2591715/urban-meyer-ohio-state-coach"> pair of National Championships</a>:</p>
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<p>The two BCS titles at Florida (including one won over the smoking carcass of an undefeated Ohio State team) are the obvious gets here, but don't forget that Meyer's ascent to the top of the coaching ranks came with stints at Bowling Green and Utah, two inconspicuous spots on the college football map. He'll worth with what's there and build on that no matter where he is, and do so without ruffling the feathers of the NCAA. This might be especially relevant in the case of Ohio State.</p>
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<p>Stay tuned for further word on if/when Meyer signs with the Buckeyes.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2011/11/28/2591921/urban-meyer-ohio-state-update-agent-deniesTravis Miller2011-11-28T07:17:07-06:002011-11-28T07:17:07-06:00It's Official: Urban Meyer Will Coach Ohio State
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<p>After weeks of speculation it appears that the Ohio State Buckeyes and Urban Meyer have come to an agreement where the two-time National Championship coach will come to Columbus to coach the Buckeyes. ESPN is confirming this morning that both sides have reached a deal for Meyer to take over the program after Luke Fickell <a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7289592/urban-meyer-joins-ohio-state-buckeyes-coach-1-year-hiatus-sources-say">guided them to a 6-6 record in 2011</a>:</p>
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<p>Sources told WKMG-TV in Orlando last week that Meyer would be introduced in coming days after agreeing to a seven-year, $40 million deal.</p>
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<p>Both sides have faced a number of questions this past season. Meyer left the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/florida-gators">Florida Gators</a> amid a number of possible health concerns and has spent the last season and an analyst. Ohio State has had multiple run-ins with the NCAA that caused former coach Jim Tressel to be fired before the season started. Ohio State's 6-6 record was its worst since 1999 and they lost to archrival Michigan for the first time since 2003 on Saturday.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2011/11/28/2591709/urban-meyer-ohio-stateTravis Miller2011-11-23T10:56:03-06:002011-11-23T10:56:03-06:00Columbus Dispatch Reports Urban Meyer Will be Next Ohio State Head Coach
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<p><a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2011/11/23/meyer-to-coach-ohio-state.html" target="new">According to the Columbus Dispatch</a>, sources at Ohio State have confirmed that former Florida Gators head coach and current <span class="caps">ESPN</span> college football analyst Urban Meyer will be the next head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.</p>
<p>According to the report, final terms for the deal have not been agreed upon, though there were reports this morning that Meyer had agreed to a seven-year, $40 million contract with the Buckeyes.</p>
<p>To this point, Meyer has refused to discuss the potential of him landing the Ohio State job:</p>
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<p>“I have not been offered any job nor is there a deal in place,” the Meyer statement said. “I plan on spending Thanksgiving with my family and will not comment on this any further.”</p>
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<p>This report states otherwise, and it also states that an announcement could depend on whether Ohio State beats Michigan on Saturday. They expect the move to be announced as early as next Monday.</p>
https://cleveland.sbnation.com/ohio-st-buckeyes/2011/11/23/2582919/columbus-dispatch-reports-urban-meyer-will-be-next-ohio-state-headSayre Bedinger