Ohio State football had been a perennial powerhouse for years, seemingly unrivaled in the Big Ten. But in 2014, something changed. The Buckeyes were no longer the clear cut favorite to win it all. This change in fortune was a direct result of Urban Meyer’s stringent recruiting policies. Meyer was adamant that Ohio State would only sign players who could help them win championships, and he wasn’t going to be held back by quotas or any other artificial constraints. This type of recruiting is now becoming more popular across college football, as coaches strive to find the athletes who will bring success on the field. If you are a coach looking to fill your roster with the best players possible, read on for tips on how to achieve Meyer-like quotas.
The Background of Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer is one of the most successful head coaches in college football history. He is a three time national champion with the Ohio State Buckeyes and has won more games than any other coach in NCAA history. Meyer was hired at Florida in 2006 and led the team to two SEC Championships and a National Championship. Meyer was then hired by Ohio State where he quickly turned the program around. In his first season, he led the Buckeyes to their first Big Ten Championship in 24 years and their first-ever National Championship. Meyer has continued to lead the Buckeyes to success, winning back-to-back Big Ten Championships as well as two more National Championships. Meyer is now looking for his fourth championship at Ohio State.
The 2016 Season
Urban Meyer set the tone for Ohio State football in his first season, displaying some of the characteristics of a successful head coach. Meyer’s emphasis on discipline and preparation showed immediate results as the Buckeyes finished with a 10-2 record, their best ever start to a season.
In 2013, the NCAA set minimum quotas for new coaches at Division I Football Bowl Subdivision schools. These quotas were designed to help remedy a coaching shortage that had been developing for years. In order to secure an appointment as a head coach at a FBS school, an individual must have previous head coaching experience or be within six years of having completed their required coordinator duties at a BCS school. As such, Meyer was forced to meet these quotas in order to become Ohio State’s 31st head football coach.
Despite this obstacle, Meyer proved himself as one of the top candidates for the job by compiling an impressive resume. After serving as assistant coach at Utah from 1997-2001 and Florida from 2002-2007, Meyer was hired by Oregon in 2008 where he led the team to two BCS National Championships (2009, 2010). Meyer left Oregon following the 2010 season and became Florida’s offensive coordinator under Will Muschamp. Under Muschamp, Meyer led Florida State to back-to-back ACC Championships (2013-2014), becoming only the second individual ever (after Bear Bryant) to win championships at three different levels: NFL player (Bryant with Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins), college player
The 2017 Season
As the 2017 college football season approaches, many Buckeye fans are eager to see how their favorite team stacks up against the competition. While there is no clear-cut #1 contender, there are a a few teams that seem to be leading the pack. Among these teams is Ohio State, which many pundits have pegged as a preseason favorite to win the Big Ten championship and make it back to the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the first time in three years.
To reach this level of success, however, Ohio State will likely have to play by Urban Meyer’s rules. The former Florida coach has become well-known for his stringent recruiting criteria and demanding playing style, which have helped his teams achieve great success. In fact, some consider Meyer’s demands so severe that some top recruits have decided not to attend school at all and instead play professional football in order to join his program.
While this type of coaching may seem daunting for some players and their families, it is worth noting that Meyer has a history of producing successful players. For example, current Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer was originally recruited by Meyer while he was still at Paul Brown Stadium and ended up being one of the most successful QBs in recent NCAA history. Similarly, current Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross was also highly coveted by other programs before committing to Ohio State and becoming one of its most decorated
The 2018 Season
In order to maintain their football program at the elite level, Ohio State has had to adhere to Urban Meyer’s “Quotas” for the past few years. These quotas are requirements that each FBS team must meet in order to keep their head coach. As of 2018, Ohio State must win at least eight games and have amargin of victory of at least seven points in order for Meyer to continue his employment with the Buckeyes.
Despite several close losses this season, including a heartbreaking loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor, Ohio State is still slated to meet their quota. Although they narrowly missed out on a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals, their overall record (10-2) is respectable and would have placed them as one of the top four seeds according to the CFP rankings. With several talented recruits coming up through the ranks and an exciting future ahead, there is no doubt that Ohio State will continue meeting both their individual and team quotas in years to come.
Meyer’s Legacy at Ohio State
Urban Meyer has left an indelible mark on Ohio State football and the Buckeyes are now one of the most successful programs in college football. Meyer’s influence is evident in every aspect of the program, from recruiting to player development. Under his leadership, Ohio State has consistently achieved success both on and off the field.
Meyer’s tenure at Ohio State was marked by impressive accomplishments both on and off the field. The Buckeyes won two Big Ten championships and made four appearances in the College Football Playoff, including a Fiesta Bowl victory over Penn State in 2016. They also produced several first-round NFL Draft picks, including first overall pick Joey Bosa and second overall pick Cardale Jones. Meyer’s impact went well beyond win totals and individual accolades; he helped create a culture of discipline, accountability, and teamwork at Ohio State that has been carried forward by current head coach Urban Meyer Jr.
What Happens Next?
Urban Meyer, the head football coach at Ohio State University, has been vocal about his desire to bring in a certain number of players from urban areas. While Meyer’s motives are commendable, they have caused some friction within the coaching staff and team.
Ohio State football has seen its fair share of success over the past decade, but their recent success has come at the expense of recruiting talented players from urban areas. Urban Meyer’s insistence on meeting quotas for players from urban areas has caused some tension within the coaching staff and team. Players from rural areas feel left out, while players from urban areas resent being told what kind of player they need to be to fit Meyer’s system.
Meyer insists that his system is best for players and that it relies on teamwork more than individual talent. However, some members of the coaching staff believe that Meyer is straying too far away from traditional concepts of football coaching. If Ohio State is going to continue to compete for championships against schools like Alabama and Clemson, they will need to find a way to integrate more talented players from urban areas into their roster.
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