A look back at Urban Meyer's roller-coaster career shows why people have no idea what he will do next
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Dec 5, 2018, 03:06 IST
Urban Meyer has earned a reputation as a giant of college football, but he hasn't always been a household name.
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Meyer started his head coaching career at Bowling Green in 2001.
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After coaching the Falcons to 17-6 overall record in his two years at the helm, Meyer left Bowling Green for Utah.
In December of 2004, Meyer signed a seven year, $14 million contract to become the head coach of the Florida Gators.
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The Gators finished 9-3 and went undefeated at "The Swamp" in Meyer's first year at the helm.
The following season, Florida went 13-1 on the year and finished the season with a 41-14 romp of Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game.
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Meyer signed another contract extension in 2008 — this time for $4.01 million per year through 2014 — before leading the Gators to their second national championship in three years.
Meyer had a health scare in December of 2009 and announced his intentions to resign following the end of the season. He later decided to take a leave of absence instead.
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Although Meyer boasted an impressive 65-15 record in his six years at Florida, he received harsh criticism because at least 31 of his players were arrested during his tenure.
Meyer said he wanted to spend more time with his family. He subsequently signed on with ESPN to call one college football game each week.
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Less than a year after joining ESPN, Meyer was hired as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.
In his first season as head coach in Columbus, Meyer led Ohio State to a perfect 12-0 record, but the team was ineligible to compete in the postseason due to past NCAA violations.
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Meyer won his third national title in 2014 after the Buckeyes took down top-ranked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and Marcus Mariota and the No. 2 Oregon Ducks in the national championship game.
Ohio State went on to win two more Big Ten championships and make another appearance in the College Football Playoff over the next four years.
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But before the start of the 2018 season, Meyer faced controversy and was subsequently suspended for three games over his mishandling of domestic violence allegations against former assistant coach Zach Smith.
The Buckeyes salvaged the rocky season with a 62-39 romp of arch-rival Michigan.
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A week after winning his third Big Ten Championship at Ohio State, Meyer announced his decision to retire.
Speculation has already begun regarding what Meyer will do next in his career. He was asked if his football career was over. He called it "a complicated question."
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Many have argued that Meyer could revisit broadcasting or entertain taking an NFL coaching job.
Others believe he could end up with another college program, such as USC.
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But no future landing spot has gained more traction than Notre Dame, a move that has been rumored ever since Meyer referred to a head coaching position there as his "dream job."
Fans will have to wait to see what Meyer does next, but will surely pay close attention to the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, as the Buckeyes take on the Washington Huskies for Meyer's final game donning red and white.
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Now check out where Urban Meyer ranked this season when it comes to college football coaching salaries.