Ohio State Football: Will Urban Meyer Be the Next OSU Buckeyes Head Coach?

Jim Tressel resigned today amidst ongoing controversy inside the Ohio State Football program.

Assistant coach Luke Fickell, who was slated to fill in for Tressel during the first five games of the 2011 season in which he was to be suspended, has been named as the interim head coach.http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6606999

But Fickell may not even last until next season. With all of the problems that have been uncovered in the recent months, Ohio State may want to distance themselves from anyone or anything having to do with the Jim Tressel Era.

Who will be the next Ohio State football head coach? No one knows yet.

But one name jumps off of the possible candidate list.

One man who has Ohio State in his background.

One coach who may be chomping at the bit to get back into the game...Urban Meyer.

Meyer, who resigned from the University of Florida head job following a less than spectacular 2010 year, has to be a leading candidate.

Meyer has won two National Championships, has an overall record of 104-23 (.819 winning percentage) and has a bowl record of 7-1.

But beyond his sideline success, Meyer has connections in Ohio.

Meyer was born in Toledo.

He played defensive back for the University of Cincinnati in 1983-86.

Meyer was a position coach for Ohio State in the late 80's (1986-TEs; 1987-WRs).

And his first head coaching position was at Bowling Green in 2001-2002.

Meyer has had huge success at the highest level of college football.

He knows what its like to run a program that's in the national spotlight.

He should be the top name on a very short list.

Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee and AD Gene Smith should move quickly to speak to Meyer about coming back to Columbus and begin the process of cleaning up the mess that Jim Tressel left behind.