Ohio State Buckeyes former head coach Urban Meyer in attendance against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Urban Meyer called out for his comments about punishing coaches

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated May 8, 2025 9:18 AM ET

Urban Meyer’s latest comments about discipline for college coaches led to some blowback on social media.

In the latest edition of his “Triple Option” podcast, Meyer suggested that coaches who are found to be lying to the NCAA should be automatically banned from college football. The former Ohio State coach pointed to a history of the NCAA taking a zero-tolerance stance with players who lied to investigators, and questioned why coaches are not subject to the same treatment.

“If you lie as a college football coach to the NCAA, in my personal opinion, you’re finished. You’re done,” Meyer said. “That’s not making a text message. That’s not going to lunch with someone you’re not supposed to go to lunch with, sent a letter when you’re not supposed to. When they got you, and they say did you do this, and they refuse to cooperate or they lie, in my very strong opinion, you’re finished coaching in Division I. The risk now is too high and I don’t think you ever see this kind of stuff again.”

“If you lie to the NCAA, your career is over.”@CoachUrbanMeyer has STRONG feelings about NCAA punishments pic.twitter.com/jNWjXgJXHp
— The Triple Option (@3xOptionShow) May 7, 2025

Meyer made the comments after discussing the ongoing investigation into Michigan’s sign-stealing operation. Notably, the NCAA found that former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh lied about recruiting violations in a separate investigation, but Harbaugh is essentially insulated from the NCAA’s punishment as he had left for the NFL before it was handed down. Meyer is essentially saying Harbaugh should never be able to coach at the college level again.

For many, it did not sit well that the message was coming from Meyer, who has infamously run afoul of the NCAA before.

Is Urban Meyer really the guy to be lecturing about morality? https://t.co/NDddtElaN0 pic.twitter.com/UGw6fGAZvV
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) May 7, 2025

Meyer’s most infamous run-in with the NCAA came in 2018, when he was suspended for his handling of allegations against a former assistant coach. Notably, an investigation suggested Meyer engaged in some suspicious behavior at that time.

Regardless of the merits of Meyer’s argument, it will be hard for many to take his suggestion seriously. His history, combined with being dismissed since he is talking about Michigan, will lead to his suggestion falling on deaf ears.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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