COLUMBUS – Ohio State coach Urban Meyer says it was a series of factors that led to his decision to step down.
He says headaches caused by a congenital arachnoid cyst have become a persistent problem. He also says he is not sure he is able to coach at the intense, demanding level he has used for more than 30 years.
“I’ve had to deal with the headaches for many years and it came to a head in 2014 and again last year and this year as well,” he told reporters Tuesday.
Meyer today announced his decision to retire following the Buckeyes’ appearance in the Rose Bowl Jan. 1.
Meyer was suspended for three games at the start of this season for his role in handling domestic violence allegations against a now-fired assistant coach and says the investigation of him also played a role in his decision.
Meyer was asked if the suspension will affect his legacy. He answered: “I’m sure it will… I can lie to you and say it is not important to me.”
Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ryan Day, 39, who led the team to a 3-0 record during Meyer’s suspension at the start of the season, will take over Jan. 2 as the 25th head coach in the history of the football program at Ohio State under a five-year contract that will pay him $4.5 million annually.
There was a great deal of speculation about Meyer’s future during the football season after the suspension as fans and commentators could not help but notice camera shots of Meyer during games, bent over, hands on knees and head down, in obvious pain.
He has dealt with the cyst and the pain it causes for several years, addressing it with surgery in 2014. He says the headaches became severe last season during Ohio State’s game at Penn State and have become a persistent problem this season.
He says stepping away would have been more difficult if the program wasn’t healthy but the Buckeyes are 12-1 after winning the Big Ten. He also says knowing Day would be his successor made the decision easier.
Meyer says the timing of his retirement was based on recruiting. He said the move needed to be made before the early signing period opens on Dec. 19.
The Buckeyes’ 45-24 win over Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship game Saturday was Meyer’s 82nd as head coach at OSU, moving him ahead of his mentor, Earle Bruce, on the all-time list.
Since taking over as head coach in Columbus before the 2012 season, Meyer has compiled an 82-9 record, including a national championship in 2014 and three Big Ten titles. In his seven years at Ohio State, he has never lost to arch-rival Michigan
Meyer began his head coaching career at Bowling Green in 2001 and has since become the third-winningest coach in the history of college football with at least 10 years at an FBS school. His .851 winning percentage is No. 1 among all active coaches with at least five years of experience.