Urban Meyer has cultivated a formidable reputation throughout his career for his intense, obsessive approach to preparation and his relentless drive for victory. This uncompromising mindset has defined his journey from the sidelines to his current pursuits, shaping everything from his coaching philosophy to his leisure activities.
From Sideline Intensity to Fairway Focus
Meyer's legendary intensity, which saw him push players hard while meticulously planning every detail, has translated seamlessly into his passion for golf. "I'll play over 100 rounds this year," he revealed to the Daily Mail during the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona in Florida. This season-opening event brings together celebrities and the world's finest LPGA Tour players, with amateur participants competing for a substantial $500,000 purse.
Despite finishing the first day in 33rd position, trailing leaders including tennis star Mardy Fish, baseball's Aaron Hicks, and defending champion hockey icon Joe Pavelski, Meyer's competitive spirit remains undimmed. However, there's a noticeable shift in his demeanour now that his coaching days are behind him. He engages warmly with fans between holes, signing autographs and posing for photographs, displaying a more relaxed side than the famously intense figure who stalked college football sidelines.
A New Arena: Television Analysis
Today, Meyer channels his competitive energies into television analysis rather than game-day strategy. As a key member of Fox's Big Noon Kickoff panel, he faces different pressures—boosting ratings and challenging ESPN's College GameDay for viewership dominance. "We do take it real serious," Meyer explained regarding his television role. "I think most people would tell you that when you're done playing, or you're done coaching, to be able to be part of a team, and to go try to compete with the other shows, it's great."
He emphasised the camaraderie within the Fox team, noting, "We can't wait to be around each other, we want to be great at our job, and we had a great year." This collaborative environment represents a significant departure from the high-pressure cauldron he experienced coaching powerhouse programs like Florida and Ohio State.
An Unlikely Friendship with a Rival
The dynamic between Meyer and fellow analyst Dave Portnoy has become a compelling aspect of the show. Portnoy, a passionate Michigan supporter, provides a natural counterpoint to Meyer, an Ohio State legend who never lost to the Wolverines during his coaching tenure. On screen, Portnoy delivers controversial opinions with fiery conviction, but behind the scenes, Meyer reveals a different relationship.
"Behind the scenes, he's fantastic," Meyer shared. "We've become friends, we go to dinner together. My wife gets along great with him. And then he gets on TV and he's a nut job! But it's different away from the TV. He's a businessman, you know, and I get it. I didn't really understand it, but now I get it. And he's become a friend."
Weighing in on Belichick's Hall of Fame Snub
Both Meyer and Portnoy share admiration for coaching legend Bill Belichick, whose recent exclusion from the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot has sparked widespread debate. Despite eight Super Bowl victories—six as head coach of the New England Patriots and two as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants—and the second-most wins in NFL history, Belichick fell short of the required votes.
Meyer expressed astonishment at this development, stating firmly, "If he's not a first ballot Hall of Famer, I'm not sure who is? I don't know what's gone on behind the scenes, but all I can say is, if he's not a first-ballot, then no-one is."
The past year has seen Belichick transition from the NFL to college football, taking charge at the University of North Carolina—a move that contrasts sharply with Meyer's own brief NFL stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meyer observed Belichick's progress with interest, noting, "It's night and day between the NFL and college. But I watched his team early, and I watched his team late... when I watched them early, they weren't good. They were bad. When I watched them late, they got a lot better. And I would anticipate that this next year will be better... he's too good a coach."
Reflecting on Coaching Legacy and Relationships
Meyer's coaching tree includes notable figures like Mike Vrabel, current head coach of the Super Bowl-bound New England Patriots. Vrabel began his coaching career under Meyer at Ohio State as a defensive line coach at just 37 years old. "I watched him play, I'm really good friends with Bill Belichick, and I would go and watch [the Patriots] practise," Meyer recalled. "Then I hired him at Ohio State and now I just watch what he's done. It's historic, if he can win this last game. From 4-13 to Super Bowl champ!"
Meyer attributes Vrabel's coaching success to the same work ethic that defined his playing career, explaining, "I think sometimes the great players aren't great coaches, because they don't carry that same work ethic into coaching and the grind. I think what made Mike such a great player, for so many years, was the grind. I obviously saw that firsthand and then he became a great coach... I love Mike. We talk once in a while and I have a lot of respect for him and his family."
This close relationship makes a viral story from ESPN's The Manningcast particularly puzzling. Vrabel recounted an encounter where Meyer supposedly failed to recognise him when they met as opposing NFL head coaches. Meyer firmly denied this version of events, stating, "No, no... somebody told me that. I don't remember Mike Vrabel? I talk to Mike Vrabel all the time. So I don't know if he was screwing around! I know who he is."
As Meyer continues to apply his trademark intensity to golf, television analysis, and maintaining relationships across the football world, it's clear that while the arenas have changed, the competitive fire that made him a three-time national championship winner and College Football Hall of Famer continues to burn brightly.
