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The college football season is upon us, and a new quest for the College Football Playoff is underway. Within a matter of weeks, the season will kick off, and all the speculation will turn into reality or wishful thinking.
The first head coach to win the modern College Football Playoff was Urban Meyer in 2014. Since then, his public image has taken some damage. You don’t have to look too far to see why.
College football analyst Paul Finebaum left no doubt about how he feels about Meyer. A once-legendary figure in the game has suddenly become one of the most disappointing figures in college football, according to the ESPN analyst.
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“He was once considered an iconic coach, and he made the same mistake that a lot of people make. He goes into TV and has just made a fool out of himself every time he opens his mouth. It’s sad to watch his reputation diminish because when he left Ohio State, he was considered the second-best coach in college football. Today, no one really remembers his accomplishments, which were massive, by the way.” Paul Finebaum said.
Syndication Florida Times Union"]https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_big_lead_articles_114/5e73d6ba2cefe036955e2259d97a2b34[/IMG]
Urban Meyer’s Jaguars fell to 0-5 on Sunday and Jacksonville has lost 20 straight games. Syndication Florida Times Union Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Paul Finebaum might’ve hit close, but not quite the nail on the head. Meyer’s work as an analyst on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff has certainly generated some criticism. His opinions can be polarizing, and his television appearances have occasionally put him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. However, it is difficult to argue that his television career is solely responsible for the deterioration of his reputation.
Instead, Meyer’s disastrous tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars likely played a much larger role. Meyer entered the NFL in 2021 with the reputation of a championship-winning coach who had rich success in college football at both Florida and Ohio State. The Jaguars hoped he could bring that success to Jacksonville and help establish a new era for the franchise. Instead, his tenure lasted only 13 games.
The problems went far beyond losing football games. Meyer faced repeated criticism over his handling of the team, his relationship with players, and his decisions away from the field. His tenure became increasingly chaotic as reports of internal dysfunction and controversial off-field incidents continued to surface.
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By the time Jacksonville fired Meyer in December 2021, much of the fame he had built throughout his college coaching career had evaporated.
Urban Meyer, here leading Ohio State on the field in a 2016 game, coached the Buckeyes to an 83-9 record in seven seasons. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
That doesn’t erase what Meyer accomplished. He won three national championships and compiled a 187-32 record as a college head coach. His 2014 Ohio State team also, as noted, became the first champion of the College Football Playoff era. However, legacy isn’t always determined by what someone accomplished at their peak. It can also be shaped by what happens afterward.
Meyer’s television career may have contributed to the perception that his reputation has declined, but his time in Jacksonville gave critics far more ammunition. For many fans, the Jaguars tenure remains the defining chapter of Meyer’s post-college career.
That is why Finebaum’s criticism may miss the bigger picture. Meyer’s television appearances are easy to see, but the damage to his reputation may have began long before he settled into the FOX studio.
Continue reading...
The first head coach to win the modern College Football Playoff was Urban Meyer in 2014. Since then, his public image has taken some damage. You don’t have to look too far to see why.
College football analyst Paul Finebaum left no doubt about how he feels about Meyer. A once-legendary figure in the game has suddenly become one of the most disappointing figures in college football, according to the ESPN analyst.
MORE: Michael Irvin presents mom of Miami football star Mark Fletcher Jr. thoughtful gift for 2026 season
“He was once considered an iconic coach, and he made the same mistake that a lot of people make. He goes into TV and has just made a fool out of himself every time he opens his mouth. It’s sad to watch his reputation diminish because when he left Ohio State, he was considered the second-best coach in college football. Today, no one really remembers his accomplishments, which were massive, by the way.” Paul Finebaum said.
Reputation tainted by TV or tenure in Jacksonville?
[IMG alt="Urban Meyer's Jaguars fell to 0-5 on Sunday and Jacksonville has lost 20 straight games.Syndication Florida Times Union"]https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_big_lead_articles_114/5e73d6ba2cefe036955e2259d97a2b34[/IMG]
Urban Meyer’s Jaguars fell to 0-5 on Sunday and Jacksonville has lost 20 straight games. Syndication Florida Times Union Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Paul Finebaum might’ve hit close, but not quite the nail on the head. Meyer’s work as an analyst on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff has certainly generated some criticism. His opinions can be polarizing, and his television appearances have occasionally put him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. However, it is difficult to argue that his television career is solely responsible for the deterioration of his reputation.
Instead, Meyer’s disastrous tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars likely played a much larger role. Meyer entered the NFL in 2021 with the reputation of a championship-winning coach who had rich success in college football at both Florida and Ohio State. The Jaguars hoped he could bring that success to Jacksonville and help establish a new era for the franchise. Instead, his tenure lasted only 13 games.
The problems went far beyond losing football games. Meyer faced repeated criticism over his handling of the team, his relationship with players, and his decisions away from the field. His tenure became increasingly chaotic as reports of internal dysfunction and controversial off-field incidents continued to surface.
MORE: College football analyst names most hated fan base in 2026
By the time Jacksonville fired Meyer in December 2021, much of the fame he had built throughout his college coaching career had evaporated.
A college football legend
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Urban Meyer, here leading Ohio State on the field in a 2016 game, coached the Buckeyes to an 83-9 record in seven seasons. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
That doesn’t erase what Meyer accomplished. He won three national championships and compiled a 187-32 record as a college head coach. His 2014 Ohio State team also, as noted, became the first champion of the College Football Playoff era. However, legacy isn’t always determined by what someone accomplished at their peak. It can also be shaped by what happens afterward.
Meyer’s television career may have contributed to the perception that his reputation has declined, but his time in Jacksonville gave critics far more ammunition. For many fans, the Jaguars tenure remains the defining chapter of Meyer’s post-college career.
That is why Finebaum’s criticism may miss the bigger picture. Meyer’s television appearances are easy to see, but the damage to his reputation may have began long before he settled into the FOX studio.
Continue reading...
