Urban Meyer: Culture of Truth Must Begin Before He Takes Job

College football is bubbling after rumors came out that Ohio State was sniffing around legendary head coach Urban Meyer, who won two national championships at Florida.

Meyer met with Ohio State President Gordon Gee last week, according to Clay Hall, the sports director of the ABC-6/FOX-28 TV affiliates in Columbus.  There also hasn't been much talk of his other possible destination, Penn State.

But before Meyer makes an impact at Ohio State, if he is indeed hired, the university has to set its priorities straight.

Ohio State is facing a potential bowl ban from the NCAA after several Buckeyes players, including former quarterback Terrelle Pryor, allegedly received improper benefits last season.

Facing a suspension, Pryor was forced to leave the school, and storied head coach Jim Tressel was forced to resign.

Before any of this happened, though, Ohio State took the charges lightly, opting to suspend Tressel for just two games, despite allegations he knew what was going on and didn't report it to the NCAA.

If Ohio State wants to be a reputable program again, it cannot behave like this anymore. 

What Ohio State should have done is impose a five-game suspension on Tressel; that would have, at least, been more reasonable.  But the university tried to weasel its way out, which only made things worse.

Too often we see top coaches enter an environment that is doomed before they even arrive.  In such a place, not even a head coach of Meyer's status can excel.

Ohio State must clean the slate before hiring Meyer.  No program can win without a well-executed game plan.

The days of trick plays are over.

Ohio State needs to push forward without ducking responsibility.