Inside Ohio State Football and Urban Meyer with Gigi Meyer

Gigi Meyer is currently studying at Florida Gulf Coast University.  The younger daughter of Shelley and Urban Meyer, Gigi went to Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Fla.

A self-proclaimed tomboy as a youth, Gigi was described by her dad as “the most focused one” in the Meyer family. She took some time to answer some questions.

How do you feel about the Sporting News' recent articles on your dad and the proposed negative impact he had on Florida football?

GM: It’s just criticism. Everyone has critics, especially when they’re really successful. So it’s almost like a compliment that they’re focusing all their attention on my dad. Unfortunately, it’s negative attention, but fortunately, I have a father that could care less of what people say. What he uses as an escape is his family, and that’s all that matters.
 
 
What did you think about Chris Rainey’s comments regarding your dad and coaches being afraid of Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes?   

GM: I’m quite shocked at his comments in that interview considering all the things we have done for him. Chris Rainey was a great player and great person. It was like he was a part of our family considering that he didn’t really have a biological one.

But as far as coaches fearing certain players like Timmy, Percy and Brandon, I have no comment. All I know is that players who were recognized most worked the hardest and had the most heart. My dad doesn’t hand out respect; they have to earn it.  
 
 
Sports journalists wrote that your dad had interest in the Penn State job, is this true? Did he ever talk about it?

GM: He vaguely mentioned it, and I’m sure he had some interest, but Ohio State is his home state, and it stood out to him the most.  
  
 
Your dad has players to recruit and about 100 players on the current team to deal with. He is an intense recruiter and is recruiting hard for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. How does he find time to be involved with you, your sister, your brother’s lives as well as being there for your mother as a husband?

GM: Well, it’s just like a normal job. You work form a certain hour to a certain hour. Once your shift is up, you go home to be with your family. Luckily, my dad realized that if people aren’t happy with what happened that day, so be it. In the end, he’s coming home to his family and throwing football aside. That’s what I love about him. When he’s home, we talk about us, not football.
 
 

Do you ever wish your dad were not coaching? 

GM: I just wish for him to do whatever makes him happy. I don’t wish whether he’s a coach or not. That’d be selfish, so I wish for him to be successful in whatever makes him happy.

What do you think your dad could do if he was not a college coach?

GM: My dad could easily be a sports analyst in my opinion. He is so knowledgeable in the sport that his opinions need to be heard. I don’t think he could ever be a stay-at-home dad because he would get bored to death. Trust me, I know.
 
 

Do you think your dad has any aspirations to go to the NFL? Has any NFL team asked him to consider being a head coach?

GM: I’ve never really talked to him in depth about going to the NFL, but I don’t think he aspires to work in the NFL at all. In my opinion, it’s a completely different world. It’s business. And it doesn’t take heart to be successful. On the other hand, college football takes a lot of great qualities to become successful. Also, we have become a family with every program we have worked at. There’s a lot more emotion in college football, which we all like. NFL is strictly business.
 
 

Tim Tebow is always in the news, and it seems like he is connected with a new lady every other week. Have you talked to Tim about this coverage?

GM: No I haven’t talked to Timmy in awhile. I know he’s a busy guy, so I let him do his job. I know my dad talks to him about every week.

But as far as his relationship status, I just know that it’s going to be hard for him to find a lady up to his standards because he is what he says he is. PERFECT.
 
 

Do you have any idea of the type of woman Tim Tebow would like to date?   

GM: He probably wants a strong Christian girl who doesn’t care about the fame he has acquired. Definitely someone who will remain faithful, who his parents admire. Basically, someone who is as perfect as he is.
 
 
If you had to make a prediction, how many years do you think your dad will be at Ohio State?

GM: It’s always hard to tell, but probably six or seven years.
 
 
When do you first remember your dad talking about Ohio State?

GM: He’s always talked about Ohio State being his dream job ever since he was very little.
 
 
Everyone describes your father as “relentless.” What does this "relentlessness" look like? Is he this way at home, or is he a normal human being?

GM: He is the opposite of relentless when he’s at home. I don’t know where people get that from, because he’s very kind and selfless, especially when he’s at home.
 

How often do you speak to your father?

GM: I talk to my dad maybe once a day over the cell phone for a few minutes.
 
 
Could you tell a difference in your dad’s demeanor the year he was not coaching? What is it like now that he is at Ohio State?

GM: His behavior was pretty positive at first. He was relieved. He started eating right and working out again, which was a major step forward. But as time passed, he became bored and went a little crazy without having the adrenaline of winning a game in the Swamp.

His behavior now that he’s at Ohio State is promising. He’s doing great so far. He’s still in great shape, he still talks to his family everyday and he isn’t putting his job before his family. As long as he keeps those three things up to par, then I think he’ll have a successful next few years.
 

What is Gigi short for?

GM: Gisela
 
 

What is your major?

GM: Communications
 
 

What do you hope to do as a career?

GM: Still have yet to find out.
 
 

What are your hobbies?   

GM: Volleyball, wakeboarding, hanging with my friends.
 
 
If you could do one thing with your dad, what would it be? With your mom?

GM: This is a toughie. I’d probably go on a mission trip to the Philippines with my dad. And with my mom, I’d probably go spend a week in a Hawaii with her, just for vacation.

Thank you so much, Gigi (Gisela) for taking some of your time to better inform Buckeye Nation. We can tell that Ohio State is getting more than a great coach, but someone who is also a great family man. I am sure your mom and dad are proud of you, as you have demonstrated poise and grace beyond your years.