With some wondering if Urban Meyer could be a potential candidate for the head coach opening at Michigan State, the college football legend gave a definitive response on the potential of making a return to the Big 10 in 2024.
Urban Meyer is one of the greatest head coaches in the storied history of college football. Over his 17 years in the sport the former Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes coach has won three national titles and is one of the few to have earned championships at different schools.
Related: Michigan State reportedly eyeing 6 coaching candidates to replace Mel Tucker
After a sometimes controversial career that earned a .854 winning percentage, Meyer walked away from the college ranks in 2018 and returned to the game in 2021 as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, his first NFL head coaching job ended miserably and he was tossed out halfway through the season.
Now, the 59-year-old currently serves as an analyst for FOX Sports, however, that does not stop his name from being thrown into speculation about openings at prominent programs around the country. Most recently, he was linked to the head coach position at Michigan State after the school fired Mel Tucker last month.
- Urban Meyer coaching career: 187-32, 3 national titles
Urban Meyer has ‘no desire’ in Michigan State or any other job right now
Well, this week Urban Meyer gave a definitive response about the possibility of coaching at MSU, or any school in the near future.
“No desire,” Meyer said during a Q&A at the Knoxville Quarterback Club. “I am good. I never really took a day off. People, when I say that, they scratch their head. I am like I never took a day off. I had some health stuff going on. I became addicted to sleeping pills. I was just a maniac worker. … So no. No desire.”
Along with his work for FOX, Meyer is enjoying more time spent with his family, but he also explained why the college coaching game is far different and more difficult than when he last led a program five years ago.
“It has never been harder, I am telling you right now,” he said. “Every coach, every player has an agent. Think about that. Remember those days? Maybe a coordinator every once in a while had an agent. There is nothing wrong with agents. They’re great.
“But when I am the head coach having to deal with a high school player that (says) meet with my agent first. I am going I want to meet with your family because you are talking about recruiting and other stuff.”
Michigan State has a head coach opening after the program cut ties with Mel Tucker due to allegations of sexual harassment.