Urban Meyer To Retire Following Rose Bowl

Published December 4, 2018 at 2:25 PM EST

Urban Meyer addresses reporters at his first press conference following the end of his suspension on Monday, Sept. 17 [Nick Evans / WOSU] — Urban Meyer addresses reporters at his first press conference following the end of his suspension on Monday, Sept. 17

WOSU News Staff Ohio

State football coach Urban Meyer will retire from coaching following the Buckeyes' appearance in the Rose Bowl on January 1. Offensive coordinator Ryan Day will take over as head coach the next day. The university has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday afternoon.

Meyer was suspended for three games to start the season for not properly reporting domestic violence allegations against former assistant coach Zach Smith.

He came to Ohio State in 2012 to take over a program still on NCAA probation for a scandal related to players trading memorabilia for tattoos. Meyer quickly restored Ohio State to national prominence by winning a national title in his third season at the helm. In his seven seasons, the Buckeyes had remarkable success, winning at least 11 games each year. Meyer went 82–9, won the first-ever College Football Playoff in 2014 as well as three Big Ten titles. He was undefeated in all seven games against rival Michigan and started his tenure in Columbus by winning the first 24 games.

Chatter regarding Meyer's future increased after he looked more distressed and beleaguered than usual on the sideline during the 49-20 loss to unranked Purdue on October 20. Meyer says a cyst in his head has been causing headaches, which he's so far controlled with medication. He had minor surgery on the cyst in 2014.

While Meyer served his suspension, Day led the Buckeyes to victories in the first three games of this season. Day, 39, has never been a head coach. He came to Ohio State in 2017 after coaching for 17 years in college and the NFL.

Prior to coming to Ohio State, he served as quarterbacks coach with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. Following the 2017 season, Day turned down an offer to become the offensive coordinator job with NFL's Tennessee Titans.