COLUMBUS, Ohio — For more than 40 minutes, Urban Meyer stood at his lectern in front of the team meeting room packed full of reporters, dutifully answering questions in advance of Ohio State’s appearance in Monday’s national championship game. But when the Buckeyes head coach was asked about what he’s learned from Ohio State’s upcoming opponent, Meyer did something that he doesn’t often do.
He stopped himself.
“I’m not here to promote Oregon,” Meyer had to remind himself out loud.
Nevertheless, the similarities between the Buckeyes and the Ducks programs are undeniable, from their uptempo offenses to penchant for alternate uniforms—although Oregon has an obvious leg up on the latter.
Meyer’s history with the Ducks dates back more than 25 years thanks to a personal relationship with former Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti, but it was strengthened just three years ago when Meyer enjoyed a one-year retirement in 2011.
It was during that time off from coaching that Meyer toured the country as an analyst for ESPN, taking in practices while simultaneously studying how to improve himself as a head coach. His stop in Eugene particularly stood out to Meyer, as he found himself in awe of then-Ducks head coach Chip Kelly.
“You go in there, they are playing Lion King music. They have like a D.J. at practice. Bizarre stuff now. I remember even I was like, ‘What is this?’ I worked for Earle Bruce,” Meyer recalled. “Chip and I are good friends, and he…
Continue Reading: Inside Oregon’s Influence over Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Program
