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Urban Meyer Floats Ohio State Assistant For Major College Football Job

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Oct 31, 2025 1:01 PM ET

Urban Meyer is one of the few coaches who has taken multiple storied football programs to national title victories. With three such programs currently seeking a new head coach - including his old Florida stomping grounds - Meyer addressed if he has any real interest in returning to coaching to join one of them.

Put simply, he doesn't.

In an interview Kellyanne Stitts, Meyer was asked if he wants to get back into coaching. He only needed five words to make it clear he has no interest.

“I don’t have a desire,” Meyer said bluntly.

Despite eight Power 4 schools looking for head football coaches, including Penn State, LSU, and Florida, Urban Meyer is not interested in getting back into coaching.

I also asked if #Buckeyes OC Brian Hartline is ready to be a head coach and he said yes.

"big Brian Hartline… pic.twitter.com/mGSHKAubiq
— Kellyanne Stitts (@KellyanneStitts) October 31, 2025

He did, however, give a public seal of approval for Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline to get a head coaching job. Hartline previously worked under Meyer during his final two years at Ohio State.

“I do,” Meyer said of Hartline's head coaching readiness. “I’m a big Brian Hartline fan, always have been, and he just needed the experience (as an OC). I’m glad he stayed, he had a chance to leave, and he learned from us and coach (Ryan) Day, and I think he’s ready.”

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Urban Meyer looks on during the second half the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images© Brett Davis-Imagn Images

That's a tough break for programs hoping to get a proven national champion on the sidelines in 2026. There are really only a handful of such coaches that are still even coaching college football and nearly all of them are permanently tied down with their current school.

Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron is seemingly the only national champion that is actively looking for the right fit. Though even he isn't seen as the perfect coach to tackle a job like theirs.

It's beginning to look like the top jobs in the nation at the end of the year are going to be filled by the best coaches of far smaller programs or top assistants from bigger ones. But those candidates are often seen as high-risk prospects.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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