Urban Meyer recalls threatening to quit Ohio State over push back for idea to hold 'church service' for team
Urban Meyer, a former head coach at Ohio State, recalled threatening to resign after facing resistance for his plan to hold church services for his team. Meyer aimed to provide spiritual guidance to players with hectic schedules, but university officials initially opposed the idea, citing legal reasons. Despite this, Meyer was determined to proceed, leading to a compromise where the service was renamed 'reflection.' Gene Smith, the athletic director, eventually supported Meyer after discussions. Meyer had a successful coaching career, winning national championships with Ohio State and Florida, and briefly coached the Jacksonville Jaguars before being dismissed in his first season.
Context:
Urban Meyer, a former head coach at Ohio State, recalled threatening to resign after facing resistance for his plan to hold church services for his team. Meyer aimed to provide spiritual guidance to players with hectic schedules, but university officials initially opposed the idea, citing legal reasons. Despite this, Meyer was determined to proceed, leading to a compromise where the service was renamed 'reflection.' Gene Smith, the athletic director, eventually supported Meyer after discussions. Meyer had a successful coaching career, winning national championships with Ohio State and Florida, and briefly coached the Jacksonville Jaguars before being dismissed in his first season.
Dive Deeper:
Urban Meyer, recognized for his successful tenure as a college football coach with national championships at Ohio State and Florida, encountered opposition at Ohio State over his initiative to conduct church services for his football team.
The proposal aimed to accommodate players' busy schedules by providing spiritual time on Sundays, but the university's legal advisors initially forbade it, causing Meyer to threaten resignation.
Meyer's insistence led to negotiations with the athletic director, Gene Smith, who eventually agreed to support the initiative under the condition it be termed 'reflection' rather than a religious service.
Meyer believed it was essential to offer such a spiritual outlet to young athletes whose time was heavily regimented by sports and academics, framing it as a necessary support for their well-being.
During his coaching career from 2012 to 2018, Meyer led the Buckeyes to a national championship and compiled an impressive 83-9 record, retiring amid an investigation related to an assistant coach.
After his college coaching career, Meyer briefly coached in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but his tenure ended abruptly after 13 games.
Despite controversies, Meyer's influence remains significant in college football, with his leadership style and decisions continuing to spark discussions around athlete management and personal development.