Urban Meyer to Ohio State? Luke Fickell Deserves Long-Term Shot at Buckeyes' Job

As the 2011 college football season comes to a close, there are plenty of question marks surrounding the Ohio State Buckeyes. Luke Fickell took over as the team's head coach this season, but the Buckeyes are apparently looking into alternative options, including former Florida head coach Urban Meyer.

While Meyer would be a fantastic hire for any school as he brings great name recognition and a clean record, Fickell has done well enough to earn a longer look as he had to take over for a beloved coach that left in disgrace.

The Buckeyes are certainly a football team in transition. Long-time head coach Jim Tressel resigned prior to the season due to allegations that he was aware some of his players received improper benefits, including tattoos in exchange for memorabilia.

Fickell, who formerly served as the team's defensive coordinator, took over the job, and there have been mixed results in 2011. The Buckeyes are only 6-4, but they have scored some pretty impressive victories, including upsets over then-No. 16 Illinois and then-No. 15 Wisconsin in consecutive weeks.

Even their losses to the Big Ten's elite teams have been close as they lost by just three against No. 15 Michigan State and blew a big early lead to lose to No. 16 Nebraska by seven. Considering the fact that the team abruptly lost its coach in Tressel and quarterback in Terrelle Pryor, the results aren't that bad.

Despite that, rumors are that the Buckeyes are interested in making Urban Meyer the school's next head coach. The former Florida head coach won two National Championships with the Gators before retiring due to health issues and a desire to spend more time with his family.

This talk went to another level on Thursday, largely due to a tweet by CBS Sports' Mike Freeman saying that the Buckeyes had agreed to a deal with Meyer, although it was proven to be a hoax. The speculation even included some outlets pointing to a flight tracker showing a flight leaving from Meyer's home in Gainesville, Fla. to Columbus, Ohio.

Meyer experiences success everywhere he has gone as a coach, and he has been a model citizen as well. Because of that, there is no question that Meyer would be a good choice for the Buckeyes. Even so, I can't help but think that Fickell is getting a raw deal.

Fickell had to step into an incredibly tough situation. While the Buckeyes haven't performed up to normal standards, this season has been anything but normal. It couldn't have been easy for Fickell to take over for a National Championship-winning coach amidst a major scandal.

He stepped up to the plate, however, and it seems as though the players have responded to him. Ultimately, I think the Buckeyes are lacking in talent to begin with, and I'm not sure they would have done much better this season under Tressel.

The defense is capable of winning a Big Ten title, but the offense most certainly isn't. Quarterback Braxton Miller has some potential, but he is a major step down from Pryor, so a regression was to be expected to some extent.

Meyer will surely have more clout as a recruiter than Fickell, but I still think Fickell deserves a chance to bring in his own players and go from there. The Buckeyes are already there on the defensive side of the ball, so they are literally only one or two impact offensive players away from a Big Ten Championship.

Also, I think Fickell is more of a long-term solution while Meyer is simply a band-aid. In his final couple years at Florida Meyer waffled with regards to whether he would stay or retire. If Meyer signs with Ohio State, then he will be committed for a certain period of time, but who is to say he won't step away if things don't go according to plan?

Fickell is young and energetic and if he is ultimately successful, he could be at helm for decades at Ohio State. I don't think Fickell has done anything to lose the job, and I certainly think he has done enough to earn consideration to keep it.

Meyer would be the flashier hire for sure, but over the long haul, I think sticking with Fickell may be more advantageous to the program.