Urban Meyer Ohio State: Thanksgiving Feasts Won't Keep Meyer out of Coaching

Storied head coach Urban Meyer said one of the reasons he retired from the Florida Gators in January was because he wanted to spend more time with his family.

That's why it was so ironic when it was reported he accepted a deal in principle with Ohio State the day before Thanksgiving.

On Wednesday, WKMG-TV Orlando reported that Meyer had accepted a seven-year, $40 million deal with the Buckeyes, citing multiple sources.

Meyer is expected to bring along several Florida assistant coaches, including linebackers coach D.J. Durkin, who would become defensive coordinator. Mickey Marotti, Florida's strength coach, would join Ohio State as the director of football operations.

Of course, Meyer didn't take too kindly to the reports, given he's just about to sit down for a Thanksgiving feast with his family.

Said Meyer in a statement to ESPN:

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"I have not been offered any job nor is there a deal in place. I plan on spending Thanksgiving with my family and will not comment on this any further."

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Earlier this week, Meyer told The Gainesville Sun:

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"The concerns are still there. No. 1 — my health. No. 2 — my family. No. 3 — the state of college football. I've done some research into the second one. I've found that it is possible to have balance between your job and your family, that there are coaches out there who are doing it."

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Meyer is expected to be announced as Ohio State's coach in the coming days. Unfortunately for him, it appears to have been announced at a time when he just wanted to have one last Thanksgiving meal with his family before the news broke.

But when you're Urban Meyer, football follows you everywhere you go.

Even to the dinner table.