What Happened to Urban Frank Meyer III?

Urban Meyer built a formidable reputation as one of college football's most successful coaches, known for his intense coaching style and consistent winning. His collegiate career included highly successful stints at Bowling Green, Utah, the Florida Gators, and the Ohio State Buckeyes. He led the Gators to two national championships in 2006 and 2008, and the Buckeyes to another national title in 2014, making him one of only two coaches in the modern era to win national championships at two different schools. His overall college coaching record stands at an impressive 187-32, with a .853 winning percentage, placing him among the top coaches in college football history.

However, Meyer's career was not without controversy. His departure from Florida in 2010 was initially cited as health-related, though he later expressed regret over how he left the program. At Ohio State, he faced a three-game suspension in 2018 following an investigation into his handling of domestic abuse allegations against assistant coach Zach Smith. The investigation concluded that while Meyer did not cover up the abuse, he failed to take sufficient management action and misled reporters about his knowledge of the 2015 allegations.

In 2021, Meyer made the jump to the NFL, taking on the head coaching role for the Jacksonville Jaguars, a move that proved disastrous. His tenure lasted only 13 games, resulting in a 2-11 record and a series of highly publicized off-field scandals. These controversies included a viral video of him dancing with a woman who was not his wife at an Ohio bar, allegations of him kicking former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo, and reports of him calling assistant coaches "losers". The accumulation of these issues led to his firing in December 2021, with Jaguars owner Shad Khan stating that regaining trust and respect was essential but "regrettably, it did not happen".

Following his NFL exit, Meyer returned to his previous role as a college football analyst for FOX Sports' "Big Noon Kickoff" in August 2022, rejoining the show's original cast. His standing in college football was further solidified with his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025. In April 2026, Meyer was named to the board of trustees at New College of Florida in Sarasota by Governor Ron DeSantis, indicating his continued involvement in public and educational spheres.

A significant recent development occurred in May 2026, when Meyer lost an arbitration case against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The ruling legally upheld the Jaguars' decision to fire him "with cause" in 2021, effectively clearing the organization of an estimated $30-36 million in remaining financial obligations from his five-year contract. As of August 2026, Meyer continues to be an active voice in college football, offering analysis and making predictions for the upcoming season, including his pick for the 2026 National Championship. He is also slated for induction into the University of Florida Football Ring of Honor during the 2026 season.