Urban Meyer Ohio State Speculation: Buckeyes Aren't Best Option for Meyer

The rumors of Urban Meyer to the Ohio State Buckeyes may be a perfect fit for the ailing Buckeye nation, but it’s not the right move for Meyer.

The two-time national champion has been out of the game since he retired after the 2010 season, and the rumors about his possible job opportunities have flourished over the past months.

As good as the Ohio State job seems to the Ohio native, there is a much better opportunity if Meyer wants the challenge.

Taking the helm at Penn State.

With a career coaching record of 104–23 in regular season play and 7-1 in Bowl games, the 47-year-old Meyer has the talent and youth to take a program over from the foundation up and build it back into a national powerhouse.

Ohio State presents that unusual challenge of a program beaten and bruised looking for a direction, but it’s not ideal for the former Gators head coach.

We can’t forget that Meyer went to the University of Cincinnati and the hate that flows from people in the state of Ohio. While Meyer would have a clean slate in Penn State, certain Buckeyes fans would have a hard time supporting a Cincinnati alumnus.

Many of the people who held power during the Jim Tressel reign are still pulling strings, limiting just how much power Meyer could ultimately hold.

If Meyer went to Penn State, he would be held in the same regard as Joe Paterno and the football program would be his to control, no questions asked.

That much power is hard to turn down.

While there may be no task more daunting in all of college athletics than taking over a Nittany Lions program that has been shaken to its core, that’s the kind of long-term challenge a great coach like Urban Meyer lives for.

Neither school is shining as bright as it has in the past, but Urban Meyer could bring each program back to prominence again.

If he can give up the easy life he’s living now.

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