Is Urban Meyer the Solution to Nebraska Football’s Problems?
It’s been a tough decade for Nebraska football fans. The Cornhuskers have gone from national powerhouses to also-rans, and their recent struggles suggest that the team will only get worse before it gets better. Enter Urban Meyer. The former Ohio State head coach has recently been linked to the Nebraska job, and many fans are hoping he can bring the glory days back to Lincoln. But is Meyer really the solution to Nebraska’s problems?
Meyer has certainly had success at the collegiate level. He won two national championships with Florida and with Ohio State, and he has a career winning percentage of .853. There’s no doubt that he knows how to win football games. But there are also some concerns about Meyer that should give Nebraska fans pause.
First, there is the issue of his health. Meyer retired from coaching in 2018 due to health concerns, and it’s fair to wonder whether or not those issues will prevent him from being able to put in the long hours required to turn Nebraska around. Second, there are questions about Meyer’s commitment to player safety. During his time at Ohio State, several players were accused of domestic violence, and while Meyer has said that he takes responsibility for what happened, some have speculated that he turned a blind eye to the situation because winning was more important to him than anything else. Finally, there is the question of whether or not Meyer can relate to today’s generation of players. He is known for being old-school in his coaching style, and it’s possible that his methods simply aren’t effective with today’s athletes.
On the other hand, Tom Osborne ushered in success while turning a blind eye to player shenanigans. Maybe this is exactly what Nebraska needs again. Make Nebraska football great again! Would fans still be happy if Meyer can craft up Osborne-like success and keep off-field issues under the rug?
Only time will tell if Urban Meyer will come to Nebraska. But it seems like he is the right man for the job at Nebraska. He certainly has the resume to be successful, but there are also some valid concerns about his ability to lead the team in the right direction. Ultimately, it will be up to Athletic Director Trev Alberts and the rest of the school’s administration to decide if Meyer is the right fit for the program. Let’s hope they make the right decision.