Urban Meyer Ohio State: Persistent Rumors for New Head Coach Only Hurt Buckeyes

Luke Fickell has to hear the whispers. His players probably hear them, too. They must know the rumors about Urban Meyer coming to Ohio State are out there. They know a 6-4 record—even in a year when 18 players have been suspended—isn't going to make anyone forget that Meyer's legacy looms.

Urban Meyer is the most popular man in college football, it would seem. Surely Ohio State must want him. Penn State must be waiting with open—and wounded—arms. Hell, Florida probably misses him something awful.

But just for a moment, think about it like this: You're hanging out with friends when you overhear a conversation clearly not meant for you. Urban, the coolest dude from back in the day, is coming back into town this weekend and he's throwing a party. Crap, you think—I was going to have a party this weekend.

Most of your friends are going to ditch their commitment to you and your party. And you can't go to Urban's party, you've been planning your own for weeks now.

Kind of sucks, right?

Now, I'm not saying Luke Fickell will suddenly stop coaching or that his players will stop playing because of a few rumors. But I do believe those rumors serve as a distraction, especially with a hugely important game against Penn State upcoming this weekend.

And I do think it is a dangerous time for Buckeyes supporters to start salivating publicly at the prospect of hiring Meyer. Football coaches are supposed to have thick skin, but nobody wants to date a woman that is secretly lusting after a different man.

Ohio State would be best served to publicly squash these rumors and conduct their search after the season. It's a courtesy that Fickell and his players deserve.