Urban Meyer is among the most controversial figures in college football. Some people love the 59-year-old. Some people loathe him.
A large number of the folks who celebrate Urban Meyer as a legend reside in Columbus. Ohio State football went 83-9 from 2012 through 2018. The Buckeyes won a Fiesta Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, as well as a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2014.
Meyer was the head coach who led them to such significant success. Ohio State fans consider him to be a God, where other parts of the country might consider him a liar, a cheat, or an overall bad guy.
Both groups of people have their reasons, and neither of them are without a legitimate case.
There is very little middle ground for Meyer. There aren’t many people who say “eh, he’s okay.”
It’s either love or hate and it was entirely the latter on Saturday.
Urban Meyer got a VERY warm welcome back to Ohio State.
Big Noon Kickoff rolled into central Ohio ahead of the massive top-ten matchup of undefeated teams at the Horseshoe. The crowd was LOUD as four of the five Fox analysts took their seat at the desk. Some of them even painted letters on their chests to spell out ‘!URBAN!’
They went absolutely bonkers when Meyer was formally introduced.
Of course, being who he is, Meyer was loving all of the attention and support. There are very few places outside of Columbus, Gainesville or Salt Lake City where he is widely beloved by everybody.
Imagine the reaction if Meyer returned to Jacksonville in a similar scenario. It wouldn’t be the same…
Ohio State fans love him. Their reaction at Big Noon Kickoff on Saturday morning said it all.
They adore Urban Meyer. They consider Urban Meyer to be one of the greatest ever (and are not wrong). Urban Meyere can do no wrong in Columbus.