Urban Meyer, Ohio State Agree on Contract Extension Pending Trustee Approval

The Ohio State University and head football coach Urban Meyer reached an agreement on a contract extension to keep him with the Buckeyes through Jan. 31, 2023.

Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors reported the new deal includes a raise in 2018 to $7.6 million, which makes Meyer the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten Conference.

Jennifer Smola of the Columbus Dispatch provided comments from athletic director Gene Smith, who said the contract, which must still receive final approval from the full board of trustees Friday, is a way to show stability to recruiting targets.

"We wanted to demonstrate to recruits and their families and parents that...he would be here the entire time that that young person would be here," Smith said. "Five years total demonstrates that he and his family are committed to Ohio State and Columbus. It's a place they want to be."

Smith added: "He deserves to be paid No. 1 in our league because he's No. 1 in the league."

Meyer served as head coach at Bowling Green (2001-02), Utah (2003-04) and Florida (2005-10) before taking the OSU job in 2012.

He's guided the Buckeyes to a 73-8 record. That includes a 12-0 mark in 2012, when the team was ineligible for postseason play, and a national championship in 2014.

Sports Reference lists his .851 winning percentage (177-31) as the third-best in college football history behind Notre Dame legends Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy.