Urban Meyer will not broadcast Michigan football team's game against Ohio State amid job rumors
Urban Meyer will not be in Michigan Stadium on Saturday to help broadcast the Ohio State at Michigan game.
Associated Press
The only difference? They'll be without usual partner Urban Meyer, the former Florida coach and Buckeyes assistant who has created a buzz this week because of his interest in the Ohio State job.
No. 17 Michigan (9-2, 5-2) hosts the rival Buckeyes (6-5, 3-4) at noon Saturday on ABC.
"We felt the studio in Bristol was the best place for him given the many storylines and top matchups going on in college football this weekend," ESPN said in a statement.
Well, that's one explanation.
Another, of course, is it simply would be too awkward at best, and a conflict of interest at worst, for Meyer to work the game after he told the Gainesville Sun on Monday he had not been offered the Buckeyes' coaching job.
"I'm in a good place right now, mentally and physically," Meyer told the paper. "So, if something happens with Ohio State, I'll have a decision to make. But there has been no interview. There has been no offer to make a decision about.
"If there is a decision to be made concerning Ohio State, there will be a lot that will go into it. But right now, there is no decision to be made."
Luke Fickell is Ohio State's coach right now after Jim Tressel was forced to resign in the off-season due to a memorabilia-for-gifts scandal that engulfed several players, including quarterback Terrell Pryor, and led to an NCAA investigation.
However, the Buckeyes are expected to conduct a national search for a new coach in the off-season.
That is, if they don't first land Meyer.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
jv
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 4:50 p.m.
I've really enjoyed listening to UM call games. That will be missed, but for sure he'll end up coaching somewhere soon. Would be great to see him at OSU. He's a great coach that will cause all sorts of problems for us.... but... having him there will force us to get better & win more respect for the conference. If our primary "beat OSU" goal has the bar raised in this way, I think our shot at a national championship goes up & so does our overall bowl percentage.
treetowncartel
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 2:22 a.m.
It does suck we can't set up our radio/ U-Verse to some kind of delay so we can enjoy the radio boys. With respect to Spielman, one game last season he broke down the gap weakness of the the 3-3-5 so well that I don't think anyone would have attempted to use it on x-box, gamboy sega and the like.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 10:07 p.m.
After listening to those dopes commenting on the Nebraska game last week, I hope Meyer gets the job and takes spielman with him. They and that school truly deserve each other. It really amazed me Saturday to hear on and on and over and over how Denard had no enthusiasm and was just playing pretty much dull football as I watch Denard flying all over the place and passing beautifully. I was wondering what game those trogs were watching. You guys should go to that school. And less power to you. BTW, when will they start skipping the noxious bantering by ninnyhammers and just play the crowd noise?
Terry Star21
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 8:47 p.m.
Maybe our old coach will say, 'urban meyer couldn't fix this team' !
81wolverine
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
In a lot of ways, Meyer and OSU are made for each other. Meyer brought in all kinds of players who got in trouble with the law while at Florida. TSIO's fans don't seem to care about that issue. As long as Ohio wins, that's all that matters to them. Overall, I could care less. Meyer will have a real challenge building a spread offense with the players there now. Like RR, it will take him several years to get the right players into his system. Meanwhile, by that time, Michigan will have completely re-loaded with talent (including some of Ohio's best players) and the pendulum will have swung back to Ann Arbor where it belongs. Then, after Meyer has gotten a beatdown from Michigan a few times, he'll announce he's quitting coaching again. Like I said, I don't care at all if he goes to TSIO.
ted
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 5:46 p.m.
OSU is loaded with talent now. I dont think he wil have to wait to contend for a Big Ten Championship or even a NC.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
All this shows how crazy the "football world" is. Last year at this time: we were all cringing at the up-coming 7th-straight shellacking the Wolverines would get in the game against TSiO. We would be even worse off following the bowl game. I think we should consider how that felt now that TSiO is in the same position. What goes around comes around applies to this situation. TSiO needs to get a good coach who "fits" and who can bring TSiO back to being a credible rival. I never liked these long win/loss streaks even when Michigan was on the "win side." Those just disrupt the flow of this glorious rivalry between two powerhouse football teams. Just remarking: first Michigan hit the skids, then TSiO and now Penn State. Michigan also just handed a big can of Whup-U to new member Nebraska. Of the four potential dominators in the Big Ten, only Michigan is on the rise. Who could have foreseen such a situation?
Lorain Steelmen
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 4:07 p.m.
Urban Meyer to ohio..this is a marriage made in heaven. The culture of corruption will continue unabaited, as the NCAA provides it's 'hand' slap to the Bucks. Meyer will fit into the long line of scumbags in Columbus, and with a nationally recognized name, should be able to recruit in ohio. The fear in Columbus, is that Hoke will establish recruiting pipelines, in their state, and only Meyer can stem that tide. But how good IS Meyer as a coach? He inheritied a lot of talent form Ron Zook, and benefited from Tim Tebow's leadership. At the tend of th eday, Meyer is interested in the money, NOT the greater glory, of 'ohio'
RudeJude
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
(From the article) "Luke Fickell is Ohio State's coach right now after Jim Tressel was forced to resign in the off-season due to a memorabilia-for-gifts scandal that engulfed several players, including quarterback Terrell Pryor, and led to an NCAA investigation." Kyle, Remember, though Tressel originally resigned, his end was reclassified by Ohio with the more honorable "retired." (From link below) "Besides agreeing to change his resignation to retirement, Ohio State backed off its vow to collect a $250,000 fine for violating NCAA rules. Tressel argued that he had paid enough, Elliott said. "Stepping down after 10 years as the Buckeyes' head coach will cost him far more than $250,000," he said. Before his resignation, Tressel was to have been sanctioned with a five-game suspension in addition to being fined. Instead, the university will pay him $52,250 - the equivalent of the salary and benefits he would have earned through the end of June 30th." <a href="http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2011/07/08/0708-ohio-state-tressel.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2011/07/08/0708-ohio-state-tressel.html</a> A $300k net gain for Tressel with a "retirement" status, college football's equivalent of an "Honorable Discharge." Ha.
The OSU
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.
Based on the posts, it looks like yor're all scared.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 10:33 p.m.
We weren't scared of Woody, and we aren't scared of UMeyer. It's just that we have a tendency to get nauseated when talk ohio and meyer get mentioned. It's more of a revulsion, I think. I think they would be a good fit. Heh-heh.
Terry Star21
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
I'm gonna miss this guy's wry humor after Saturday.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.
Michigan owns UMeyer, have never lost to Urban Meyer, and people think he will be the next coach at osu and you think that's equals the posters being "scared"? Scared is three words sent out by the NCAA to osu last week-"Failure to Monitor"! Meyer wants to sign but he also smart enough to realize that his reputation is on the line and loss of scholarships and a multi-year bowl ban is more than he is willing to risk. That's why osu wanted a quick resolution earlier this month. You want to see "scared", look in the mirror. TiM GO BLUE!
RudeJude
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.
Not scared. I'm not pleased he's been scouting us all season long, but I think our gameplan will drastically evolve by next year anyway, so it doesn't matter much past Saturday. The only thing that gets me is that I wanted to see the coming sanctions hit Ohio hard, and Urban Meyer's reputation will enable the Buckeyes to overcome whatever scholarship losses are to come. He plugs the leak. All in all, it's very exciting to see the next chapter of the rivalry begin to unfold. Though he is clearly an excellent coach, I always wondered how much of the credit for his success should go to the unique Tebow. We'll see if he can find the next Tebow, and if not, if he really is as good of a coach as he is credited. But to see what our coaching staff has done with the personnel available, especially Mattison's defense, and with the quality of recruits coming in, I'm confident Michigan will return to being a dominant force. Urban Meyer cannot prevent that. It's just now I'm guessing we'll see some Michigan-Ohio doubleheaders in the coming years, one in late November, another in early December.
Blu n Tpa
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.
If Urban Meyer would be a conflict of interest doing the game NOT as the coach of osu, how is it Spielman is not a conflict as a past player for osu? I think you are looking at the next coach for C-Bus. I hope his family enjoyed the 11 months with him.
RudeJude
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 3:09 p.m.
I know, it's crazy, the guy wants to spend more time with his family and, less than a year later, he's coaching Ohio and spent the last few months on the road commentating. If I didn't know better, I'd say he used his family as an excuse to leave Florida.
MRunner73
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
I agree with "chiro19" on the ABC announce staff. Pasch and Spielman are on ESPN. I would be surprised if they do this game. I feeling is the Urban Meyer announcement to OSU is close, maybe a day or two.
champ33
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 2:40 p.m.
I am not afraid of Urban... Michigan has owned him. And I like Spielman. He is smart and knows his football. It is true he is not ear candy. But if you want to learn about the game you just have to sit and listen.
Blue Marker
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 4:01 p.m.
Perfect description of Spielman.
Winkiemoose
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 2:12 p.m.
Kyle, was he offered the job or not? "he told the Gainesville Sun on Monday he had been offered the Buckeyes' coaching job." OR "But there has been no interview. There has been no offer to make a decision about."
Chris
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 9:17 p.m.
You mis-quoted the story. He is quoted as not being offered the job.
RudeJude
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 1:38 p.m.
This entire season I've been thinking how considerate it was of ABC/ESPN to allow who was the favored coaching candidate, and now heir-apparent, at Ohio State, with Buckeye Sidekick, Chris Spielman, at his side, to scout our teams every Saturday with access to our facilities. The soon-to-be head coach of our archrival has been spying on us since September. What a classy move, not to commentate The Game this Saturday (sarcasm). Let's not pretend the potential of Meyer becoming the head coach at Ohio State is just a new idea to either, there have been rumors of it since even before Tattoo-gate. If there was any potential, he should never have commentated a single Michigan games.
rightmind250
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 3:23 a.m.
Mattison was Meyers DC. You think he is spying on Michigan. That's a bit paranoid.
Chris
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
Spying? Please. I'm a Michigan fan but Meyer doesn't need to "spy" to figure out how to coach an opposing team. Please land those black helicopters flying about.
RudeJude
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 2:16 p.m.
Well, you guys do know your "whine." It must have been a vintage year down in Columbus with that NCAA so unjustly on your rear. "But coach was just protecting his kids, so unfair!"
rightmind250
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 2:01 p.m.
I think I'll buy a winery up in Ann Arbor. The people up there love the whine!
chiro19
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
This report does not sound accurate. The game is on ABC and I dont think Spielman or Pasch have ever called a game on ABC. It would be kind of weird if it started this weekend at the end of a season and not at the beginning of one. What ever happened to Nessler, Griese, and Paul McGuire? I dont mind Pasch and Spielman as much as some other like Pam Ward who is horrible or Craig James! Who cares about Urban Meyer going to ohio. As a michigan fan it will be nice getting one or two years in of destroying ohio and then having the rivalry back to always being top 5 ranked teams playing against each other every year like it was. If in the off chance that some of these guys do end up coaching at ohio like Spielman, Herbstreit, etc. That is fine and dandy because I dont think they are good coaches! Why do I think that, because they have never coached a day in their lives except maybe rocket football. I think that ohio is not stupid enough to let Urban bring guys in with no coaching experience. Thats like Michigan bringing in Mike Hart as its running back coach to replace Fred Jackson. It aint gunna happen unless he has a couple of years under his belt at a school say like Eastern Michigan. I think that if Urban goes to ohio with all of these other guys from ESPN they should take Craig James also! That would be fantastic so we dont have to listen to his fat mouth anymore!!! Either way there is not a better D coordinator that Mattison out there or in my opinion head coach at this point! Go Blue!!!
Chris
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 9:14 p.m.
ABC and ESPN are owned by the same company - it's all about the network that picks up each game, that's all.
azwolverine
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 1:15 p.m.
He's a great recruiter and coach, no doubt. He will have ohio playing good football. However, he also brings some baggage to the table, especially considering where the bucks have been with their upcoming sanctions. Meyer had some player trouble himself at Florida. He didn't have sanctions that I'm aware of, but you'd think ohio would want to hire a coach with a pristine off-firld record. Further, Urban quit the Florida job due to health and family issues, came back and went 8-5, then quit again. I was reading some blogs on other sites and while many ohio fans are excited about this hire, many are not for the reasons that I've mentioned. Some are worried that he'll be there for 3-5 years and then leave like he did at Florida. In either case, it would be hard to pass up an Urban Meyer if he wanted to coach your school, so I don't blame the bucks for rolling the dice here. It will certainly add some excitement to the rivalry and to the B10 as a whole. I'm confident with the direction Michigan is heading, though, that we will be competitive against them no matter who they hire.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.
The man can't hold a job. :-)
Chris
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 9:13 p.m.
Why would OSU want a coach with a pristine off-field record? OSU wants to win - they're not going to suddenly change the focus of their football program.
johnnya2
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 1:12 p.m.
Does ABC/ESPN consider this their top announcing team? Why would they put a third rate group to do the UM/OSU game. It is om to use the third string for UM/Purdue, or Indiana, but come on. I would much rather hear Herbstreet and Brent do this game. Herbstreet is actually an Ohio grad I can tolerate listening to on TV. Spielman is the worst. I have never understood why people think he was so great to take care of his kids and stick with his wife when she had cancer. That is what you are SUPPOPSED to do. It does not make him a hero
johnnya2
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 1:09 p.m.
Well I think this proves Urban Meyer is a liar. He left the UF for "health reasons" and how the job was all consuming and he couldn't spend time with his family. I guess he's had enough of being healthy and the family, or maybe they have had enough of him. Does he think it will be less so in Cbus?
TcFlint
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 11:35 a.m.
It's a done deal! With as many players he had that got in trouble at Florida, he will feel right at home at Ohio!
iamcris
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 11:14 a.m.
Actually, Lloyd Carr beat Urban Meyer twice. against BGSU 42-7 and against Florida in his last game coaching. Michigan owns Urban Meyer. I say let Ohio hire him.
RJ12688
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 9:03 a.m.
It just seems to be a matter of time until OSU hires the guy.. It wasnt hard to see coming. I think the only thing that could keep Meyer away would be the NCAA slamming OSU, but they probably wont. At the end of the day a big name coach at OSU is good for the B1G. (Assuming he plays by the rules). Hoke vs Meyer could end being another classic match up in THE GAME. We all know Meyer can build a contender, and I believe Hoke is building one now. Go blue, Beat Ohio.
Chris
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.
rightmind250, easy, profiting off their participation in the program kept kids at OSU or attracted them to the school. Too easy.
rightmind250
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 6:51 p.m.
Good Post RJ12688, except I think you and the rest of the UM lackies forget that you are in fact on NCAA probation for Cheating. That's right, cheating on practice time and cheating on how many coaches are on the payroll. That is trying to get an advantage over other teams. How does a free tattoo give you an advantage?
J
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 3:09 p.m.
Agreed. As much as we don't want Urban coaching against us, let's face it: The Michigan / Ohio rivalry is defined by its brutal competitiveness. Michigan is only as good as Ohio, and vice versa (despite what the boys in Columbus think).
1st Down
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 8:06 a.m.
Good news, but it is unfortunate that we will be stuck listening to Chris Spewman ramble on and on and on. He is terrible. In addition to him being terrible to listen to in general....a player from the school in Ohio should not be allowed to announce/color comment the Game. Period.
treetowncartel
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 2:14 a.m.
Lets move the SEC so we can get Danilelson doing our games.
Chris
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.
I like Spielman - I thought he handled the game last week quite well.
Lorain Steelmen
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
Spielmen should NOT be allowed to broadcast this game. He is NOT unbiased ,and I find his commentary nauseating! He shoud be assigned to SEC games where he can 'ramble on. Let them put up with his crap.
Blue Marker
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
Actually, I'm a little with Winkiemoose on this. He does bring out some good points about what's going on in the game. However, he tends to criticize the coaches too much. I find that annoying from someone who's never coached. Also, he is a Buckeye Alum and for that alone should not be aloud to do the game. How would they like it in Columbus if Desmond did the Game?
jfk
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 3:42 p.m.
Spielman should not be broadcasting this game. I'm sorry, it was bad enough listening to him when it wasn't his alma mater playing against Michigan. This is the same as having MIllen do Color for the Lions games. It just shouldn't happen. Can't we get a different crew for this game?
Winkiemoose
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 2:09 p.m.
You're absolutely wrong about Spielman's broadcasting abilities - he is the best the Big Ten has to offer, provides great insight that is rarely off the mark and he doesn't take sides. As a die hard wolverine, I appreciate the fact he actually played in the game and he doesn't pontificate on extraneous story lines like Musberger and his ilk. Watching other Big Ten games with the second, third or fourth string broadcasting teams is tough sledding whereas Spielman knows his stuff and communicates it well.
SonnyDog09
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 2 p.m.
Look at the bright side: At least we won't have to listen to Matt Millen.
Ross
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 1:48 p.m.
UGH. I agree. Spielmung is such a rambling fool sometimes. He's gets (an often inccorect per the rules) opinion and then repeats it 20 times. What we need is for Paisch to shut him up once in a while, but he has to play mr. nice guy. Having Meyer as a 3rd was helpful to limit Speilman's silly and inane comments. If only TV and radio were synched, I would gladly listen to Brandstater instead. Just sucks to hear the outcome of the play on the radio before the ball is even snapped on the field on TV, haha.
D21
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 7:44 a.m.
Yup! I knew it along ever since Urban "visited" a practice at A2 when he was actually spying. Fellas, good postings! TiM
Theo's Brother
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 6:21 a.m.
That means one thing: he's taking the job.
Mick
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 6:09 a.m.
Like someone pointed out in an earlier post I read, TSIO's coach would have the initials UM if they hired him. I think that would be hilarious, how apropos. I would advise him against it though, it's gonna get uglier in C'Bus before the air clears, if that's possible in that gray town. THE U-M is starting a golden era with Hoke and Staff, he won't be able to cheat in order to beat us, heck, L Carr was able to whoop him in a Bowl Game that was sandwiched by NC"s the years before and after 07'. Enjoy the announcing booth Urban, why would you want that headache that Tressel created there? But if you want to take that job then I say bring it!
Chris
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 9:09 p.m.
Am I missing some official report about illegal activities by Meyer during his time at Florida 1st Down? It's fun to speculate on the next OSU coach, but lets not color it with how we feel things were handled in Florida. I respect Meyer - he's been successful at BGSU, Utah and Florida. I would love to see him coaching in the Big 10.
1st Down
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 8:08 a.m.
Mick. Meyer did not exactly run a clean program down in Florida. Ohio is just getting more of the same cheating style coach. They need to get the hammer tossed down on them hard by the NCAA. However, since the president of the NCAA used to be roommates with the President of Ohio, dont count on it happening.
Bruce Kennedy
Tue, Nov 22, 2011 : 7:34 a.m.
Mick I don't know where you live in San Diego, but I used to live in PB. In fact I lived all over that city. OB, PB, La Mesa, Scripps Ranch, San Diego proper and finally Del Mar. I lived in and around San Diego for twenty years. It is truly a beautiful city. I've been from Oceanside to San Yisidro and from Coronado to El Cajon. GO BLUE!