Urban Meyer on Future in Coaching: 'I Believe This Is It'

Urban Meyer said Saturday that he doesn't anticipate returning to coaching after Ohio State's Rose Bowl clash with Washington on Tuesday.

In an interview with Chris Fowler for ESPN's College GameDay (h/t Brad Crawford of 247Sports), Meyer expressed his belief that the New Year's Day game will be his final game as a college head coach:

"I believe this is it. Once again, that's between myself and my family, but I don't believe I'll coach football again. I feel like I am leaving on my own terms. I've been a Buckeye since I've been this big. I love this area. My dream was to hand it off to someone who I think is not only great but I think he'll make us stronger."

Meyer announced on Dec. 4 that he would retire from coaching at the end of the 2018 season, allowing offensive coordinator Ryan Day to take over as Ohio State's new head coach.

The 54-year-old Meyer has been dealing with an arachnoid cyst, which rests on the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord.

He noted that his health is the primary reason for his decision to step away from coaching: "I've dealt with some significant issues this year, really since 2014. When the word risk comes out of the doctor's mouth, that checks your whole heart a little bit. And I asked the question, 'What exactly is a risk?' and [he said], 'We're not sure, coach.'"

Meyer initially retired at the end of the 2010 season to focus on his health after six seasons as the head coach at the University of Florida.

After spending one year at ESPN as an analyst, he returned to coaching with the Buckeyes in 2012 and went on to lead them to an 82-9 record with one national title.

In late December, OSU athletic director Gene Smith told Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com that Meyer will become the school's assistant athletic director after retiring from coaching.

With Meyer moving into an administrative role, Day is set to take over his former position after going 3-0 this season as the acting head coach while Meyer served a suspension stemming from the domestic violence case involving former Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith.

Before that transition happens, however, Meyer will attempt to guide the Buckeyes to their first Rose Bowl win since the 2009 season.