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 and Ohio State. Meyer briefly coached the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL in 2021, but was fired after a short and controversy-filled tenure. He has since returned to broadcasting as an analyst for Fox Sports.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1930: Utes' First Perfect Season

In 2004, Meyer led the undefeated Utes to their first perfect season since 1930.

1957: Program's First Outright Conference Championship

In 2003, Meyer coached the team to the program's first outright conference championship since 1957.

1982: Drafted by Atlanta Braves

In 1982, Urban Meyer was selected in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves as a shortstop.

1985: Defensive Back Coach at Saint Xavier High School

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

1990: Coached WR Greg Primus at Colorado State

In 1990, at Colorado State, Meyer coached WR Greg Primus who put up over 1,000 receiving yards from 1990 to 1992.

1990: Inquiry about Position at Toledo

In 1990, while at Illinois State, Urban Meyer inquired about a position at Toledo, speaking to Nick Saban's wife, but Saban never returned the call.

1992: Coached WR Greg Primus at Colorado State

In 1992, at Colorado State, Meyer coached WR Greg Primus who put up over 1,000 receiving yards from 1990 to 1992.

1997: Florida's National Championship Victory

The 2006 season was Florida's first national championship appearance and victory since winning the 1997 Sugar Bowl.

1998: BCS Formation

In 2004, Meyer led the Utes to a Bowl Championship Series bid, something that had not been done by a team from a non-automatically qualifying BCS conference since the formation of the BCS in 1998.

2000: Coached WR David Givens at Notre Dame

In 2000, at Notre Dame, Meyer coached WR David Givens, who was later drafted by the New England Patriots.

2001: Josh Harris Played Part Time at Bowling Green

In 2001, Josh Harris played part-time at Bowling Green and passed for 1,022 yards with 9 touchdowns and ran for 600 yards and 8 touchdowns.

2001: Bowling Green Falcons Head Coach

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

2001: First Head Coaching Job at Bowling Green

In 2001, Urban Meyer took his first head coaching job at Bowling Green and engineered a turnaround, finishing 8-3. He was named Mid-American Conference coach of the year.

2001: First BCS Bowl Berth since 2001

The 2006 Season was the first BCS bowl berth for the Gators since the Orange Bowl that capped off the 2001 campaign.

2002: Bowling Green Falcons Head Coach

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

2003: Alex Smith's Stats

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

2003: Named Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year

In 2003, Meyer was named the Mountain West Conference's Coach of the Year, with a 10-2 record, the best ever for a coach's first season at Utah. He also earned honors as The Sporting News National Coach of the Year.

2003: Utah Utes Head Coach

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

2004: Alex Smith's Stats

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

2004: Led Utes to BCS Bid

In 2004, Meyer led the undefeated Utes to a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) bid and a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh, capping off the Utes' first perfect season since 1930.

2004: Utah Utes Head Coach

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

2005: Alex Smith Entering the NFL Draft

In 2005, Alex Smith was considered a first-round pick entering the NFL draft.

2005: Hired as Florida's Head Coach

In 2005, Urban Meyer became Florida's head coach.

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 resulted in a 9-3 record and an Outback Bowl victory against Iowa.

2006: BCS National Championship Victory

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

2006: SEC Championship

In 2006, Urban Meyer coached the Gators to a 13–1 record and won the SEC Championship Game against Arkansas.

June 7, 2007: Signed a six-year contract extension with the Gators

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

2007: BCS National Championship Game Victory

In 2007, the Gators defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes to win the BCS National Championship Game.

2007: 9-3 Regular Season Record

In 2007, the Gators managed a 9–3 regular season record, including blowout wins over rivals Tennessee and FSU, but once again losing to Auburn.

January 1, 2008: Capital One Bowl Loss to Michigan

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

December 6, 2008: Victory over Alabama in SEC Championship

On December 6, 2008, Meyer led the Gators to a 31–20 victory over then top-ranked Alabama in the SEC title game. Leading in time of possession, rushing yards, and passing yards, 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

In 2008, Urban Meyer led the Florida Gators to another BCS National Championship Game victory.

January 8, 2009: 2009 BCS Championship Game Win

On January 8, 2009, Urban Meyer won the BCS Championship game, moving him to second place on the list of active Division I coaches ranked by winning percentage.

July 2009: Meyer Insists He Will Never Leave Florida for Notre Dame

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.

November 2009: Press Conference to Dispel Rumors Linking Him to Notre Dame

In November 2009, Urban Meyer held a press conference to dispel rumors linking him to the Notre Dame coaching job, stating that he would remain at Florida.

December 26, 2009: Resignation Announcement

On December 26, 2009, Urban Meyer announced he would resign from the University of Florida, citing health concerns.

2009: Highest Winning Percentage

Through the conclusion of the 2009 season, Urban Meyer's winning percentage was the highest among active coaches in FBS programs.

March 17, 2010: Resumption of Coaching Duties

On March 17, 2010, Urban Meyer resumed his coaching duties at Florida in time for spring practice, after announcing an indefinite leave of absence the previous day.

December 8, 2010: Announcement of Resignation

On December 8, 2010, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley announced Urban Meyer's resignation, effective after the Outback Bowl.

2010: Florida Gators Head Coach

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

January 1, 2011: Last Game as Florida Coach

On January 1, 2011, Urban Meyer coached his final game as the head coach of the Florida Gators in the Outback Bowl.

November 28, 2011: Acceptance of Head Coach Position at Ohio State University

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

2011: College Football Analyst for ESPN

Following his temporary retirement in 2011, Urban Meyer worked as a college football analyst for 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 and National Championship

In 2014, Urban Meyer led the Ohio State Buckeyes to their first Big Ten Conference title under his tenure and 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: Retirement and Analyst Role

In 2019, Urban Meyer retired from coaching at the end of the Rose Bowl and became an assistant athletic director at Ohio State and an analyst for Fox Sports, appearing on Big Noon Kickoff.

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December 16, 2021: Firing from Jacksonville Jaguars

In the early hours of December 16, 2021, after Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo accused Meyer of physical abuse, Jaguars owner Shahid Khan made the decision to fire Meyer from his position and informed him of this.