Urban Meyer Ohio State: It's Time to Announce the Worst-Kept Secret in Sports

Rumors surfaced before Thanksgiving that Urban Meyer was close to finalizing a deal with Ohio State to become the school's next football coach. The former Florida head man has continued to deny the speculation, but Bill Greene of Scout.com reports a deal will be announced soon.

"

As soon as possibly Sunday, Urban Meyer will be named as the next head coach at Ohio State, multiple sources have informed Scout.com. Meyer, now 47-years old, has denied reports he has reached an agreement with Ohio State.

"

It's another case of where there's smoke, there's almost always fire. Meyer's job status overshadowed the huge rivalry game between Ohio State and Michigan, which might be a good thing for the Buckeyes, because they couldn't find a way to stop Denard Robinson and Co.

If Meyer continues to issue denials, it will just make him look worse if he eventually accepts the job.

But the real reason an announcement should be made sooner rather than later is because Meyer and Ohio State are a good match.

The Buckeyes have been a team in turmoil since Jim Tressel resigned. There is still a ton of talent on the roster, but they never seemed to click en route to a 6-6 regular season. That includes a disappointing 3-5 mark in Big Ten play.

Meyer is the type of coach who can rejuvenate the program. Not only does he have the ability to make Ohio State a perennial national championship contender again, but he has a rock-solid reputation that will help convince recruits the Buckeyes are still a premier destination.

Instead of continuing to hold fans and the media hostage, the two sides should just announce a deal today and get it over with. The regular season is over, and each passing day leaves the current staff feeling more and more like a group of lame ducks.

It's time for the denials to end and a new era of Ohio State football to begin.