Career Timeline of Urban Meyer: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Urban Meyer built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Urban Meyer is an American sportscaster and former football coach, primarily known for his successful college coaching career. He led Bowling Green, Utah, Florida, and Ohio State, winning national championships with Florida (2006, 2008) and Ohio State (2014). After retiring in 2019, he briefly coached the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL in 2021, but was fired after a short and controversial tenure. He has since returned to broadcasting with Fox Sports.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1982: Drafted by Atlanta Braves

Weeks after graduating high school, in 1982, Urban Meyer was selected in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Atlanta Braves as a shortstop.

1983: Minor League Baseball

In 1983, Urban Meyer continued playing in the minor leagues in the Atlanta Braves organization.

1984: Lettering at University of Cincinnati

In 1984, Urban Meyer lettered as a defensive back at the University of Cincinnati.

1985: Defensive Back Coach Internship

In 1985, Urban Meyer spent one season interning as a defensive back coach at Saint Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1990: Greg Primus Coaching

In 1990, Urban Meyer coached wide receiver Greg Primus at Colorado State.

1990: Inquiry to Nick Saban

In 1990, while still the linebacker coach at Illinois State, Urban Meyer called Nick Saban's home to inquire about a position, but Saban never returned the call.

1992: Greg Primus Coaching

In 1992, Urban Meyer coached wide receiver Greg Primus at Colorado State.

2000: Coached David Givens

In 2000, Urban Meyer coached wide receiver David Givens at Notre Dame, who would later be drafted by the New England Patriots.

2000: Team Went 2-9

In 2000, the team Meyer would go on to coach went 2-9.

2001: Bowling Green Head Coach

In 2001, Urban Meyer became the head coach of the Bowling Green Falcons.

2001: Head Coaching Job at Bowling Green

In 2001, Urban Meyer took his first head coaching job at Bowling Green, engineering a turnaround and earning Mid-American Conference coach of the year honors.

2001: Josh Harris Performance

In 2001, quarterback Josh Harris passed for 1,022 yards with nine touchdowns and ran for 600 yards and eight touchdowns under Meyer's coaching at Bowling Green.

2002: Bowling Green Head Coach

In 2002, Urban Meyer continued as the head coach of the Bowling Green Falcons.

2003: Utah Utes Head Coach

In 2003, Urban Meyer became the head coach of the Utah Utes.

2003: Utah Head Coach and Coach of the Year

In 2003, Urban Meyer took the job at Utah and was named the Mountain West Conference's Coach of the Year and The Sporting News National Coach of the Year.

2003: Alex Smith's Performance

In 2003, Utes quarterback Alex Smith threw for 2,247 yards and 15 touchdowns and ran for 452 yards with five touchdowns.

2004: Utah Utes Head Coach

In 2004, Urban Meyer continued as the head coach of the Utah Utes.

2004: BCS Bid and Fiesta Bowl Win

In 2004, Urban Meyer led the undefeated Utes to a Bowl Championship Series bid and a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh.

2004: Alex Smith's Improved Performance

In 2004, Utes quarterback Alex Smith threw for 2,952 yards with 32 touchdowns and ran for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns.

2005: Smith Enters NFL Draft

In 2004, Alex Smith's production in Meyer's offensive scheme was a large reason why Smith was considered a first-round pick entering the 2005 NFL draft.

2005: Florida Head Coach and Contract

In 2005, Urban Meyer became Florida's head coach, signing a seven-year contract worth $14 million.

2005: Florida Gators Head Coach

In 2005, Urban Meyer became the head coach of the Florida Gators.

2005: First Season at Florida

In 2005, Urban Meyer's first season at Florida, the Gators finished the season 9-3 and won the Outback Bowl against Iowa.

2006: BCS National Championship Game Victory

In 2006, Urban Meyer coached the Florida Gators to a BCS National Championship Game victory.

2006: SEC Championship and National Championship

In 2006, Urban Meyer coached the Gators to a 13-1 record, winning the SEC Championship Game and the 2007 BCS National Championship Game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

June 7, 2007: Contract Extension

On June 7, 2007, Urban Meyer signed a six-year contract extension with the Florida Gators, paying an average of $3.25 million per year.

2007: BCS National Championship Win

In 2007, Urban Meyer won the BCS National Championship against the Ohio State Buckeyes with the Florida Gators.

2007: Regular Season Record

In 2007, the Gators managed a 9–3 regular season record, but lost to Auburn.

January 1, 2008: Capital One Bowl Loss

On January 1, 2008, the Gators lost the Capital One Bowl to Michigan 41–35.

December 6, 2008: SEC Title Game Victory over Alabama

On December 6, 2008, Urban Meyer led the Florida Gators to a 31–20 victory over the top-ranked Alabama in the SEC title game. The Gators rallied from behind after a third-quarter deficit to score two touchdowns and hold Alabama scoreless in the fourth quarter.

2008: Second BCS National Championship Game Victory

In 2008, Urban Meyer coached the Florida Gators to a second BCS National Championship Game victory.

January 8, 2009: 2009 BCS Championship

On January 8, 2009, Urban Meyer won the 2009 BCS Championship game.

July 2009: Notre Dame Speculation

According to a July 2009 newspaper report, Urban Meyer insisted he would never leave Florida for Notre Dame.

August 3, 2009: Another Contract Extension

On August 3, 2009, Urban Meyer received another contract extension that made him the SEC's highest-paid coach during the 2009 season; his 2009 extension was worth $24 million over six years.

November 2009: Florida Commitment

In November 2009, Urban Meyer held a press conference to dispel rumors linking him to the possible opening at Notre Dame, stating that he would remain at Florida for "as long as they'll have me".

December 26, 2009: Resignation Announcement

On December 26, 2009, Urban Meyer announced he would resign following the team's bowl game against Cincinnati, citing health concerns.

January 1, 2010: Sugar Bowl Victory and Coaching Plans

On January 1, 2010, Urban Meyer coached the Florida Gators to a 51–24 Sugar Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats. In a post-game interview, Meyer indicated his intention to return to coach the Gators.

March 17, 2010: Resumption of Coaching Duties

On March 17, 2010, Urban Meyer resumed his coaching duties for the beginning of the Gators' spring practice, reversing his earlier resignation announcement.

September 25, 2010: 100th Career Win

On September 25, 2010, Urban Meyer achieved his 100th career win as a coach with a victory over Kentucky. His record reached 100–18 over 10 seasons, making him the sixth-fastest NCAA coach to reach this milestone.

December 8, 2010: Resignation Announcement

On December 8, 2010, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley announced Urban Meyer's resignation, but stated that Meyer would remain as the head coach through the Gators' appearance in the Outback Bowl.

2010: Florida Gators Head Coach

In 2010, Urban Meyer continued as the head coach of the Florida Gators.

January 1, 2011: Outback Bowl Appearance

On January 1, 2011, Urban Meyer coached the Gators in the Outback Bowl before officially resigning.

November 28, 2011: Head Coach at Ohio State University

On November 28, 2011, Urban Meyer accepted the head coach position at Ohio State University.

2011: ESPN Analyst

In 2011, following his temporary retirement, Urban Meyer worked as a college football analyst for the television sports network ESPN.

2012: Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach

In 2012, Urban Meyer became the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

2014: Big Ten Conference Title

In 2014, Urban Meyer led the Ohio State Buckeyes to their first Big Ten Conference title under his tenure as well as the program's eighth national championship.

2018: Ohio State Buckeyes Head Coach

In 2018, Urban Meyer continued as the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

2019: First Retirement

In 2019, Urban Meyer retired from coaching and stayed at Ohio State as an assistant athletic director and also became an analyst for Fox Sports.

December 16, 2021: Firing from Jaguars

In the early hours of December 16, 2021, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan fired Urban Meyer following public accusations of physical abuse by former kicker Josh Lambo.

2021: Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach

In 2021, Urban Meyer came out of retirement to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was later fired.

January 26, 2022: Public Comments on Jaguars Tenure

On January 26, 2022, Urban Meyer described his tenure with the Jaguars as "the worst experience I've had in my professional lifetime" on Dan Dakich's podcast Don't @ Me. He cited a five-game losing streak, differences in practice time, and feelings of "depression."