I had bought into the hype. I had seen both teams play during the regular season and I saw no way that Ohio State was going to be stopped. How could they? They beat Texas handily in Austin, had gone through the Big Ten undefeated, and finalized it's season with a strong showing to upend the #2 team in the country, Michigan. Then the National Championship game was played.
How could I have possibly forgotten how great of a coach Urban Meyer was? What his team was able to do at Utah against Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl was unforgettable. It seemed like I was watching a bunch of adults toying with elementary school kids in a pickup football game. Pittsburgh did not have a chance against Urban Meyer.
Meyer has single handily come into every program he's head coached and turned them around. First look at what he's done compared to the last coach he followed at each program:
Bowling Green: Blackley: 60 wins 50 losses and 2 ties (53.6 winning %) Final season 2-9.
Meyer: 17-6 (73.9% winning)
Utah: McBride: 88-63 (58.3% winning) Final season 5-6.
Meyer: 22-2 (91.7% winning)
Florida: Zook : 23-15 (60.5% winning) Final Season 7-5.
Meyer: 22-4 (84.6% winning)
Furthermore Urban Meyer is 4-0 in bowl games including guiding Utah to their first ever BCS game and victory, and most recently a National Championship for the Florida Gators in only his second season. His second season compiled record of 34-4 with three different teams are a definitive showing of what he is able to do once his spread option offense is implemented.
Perhaps Urban Meyer's greatest lasting legacy on the sport of college football is his work with the spread option. His philosophy of making defenses cover the entire field as opposed to an isolated area has caused nightmares. Ohio State in the National Championship game looked absolutely clueless on defense. It wasn't because Florida had more speed or ability, but rather because of the schemes brought forth from Meyer's spread option. The spread option doesn't allow defenses to attack because any type of play can be run out of the formation, thus keeping teams like Ohio State on their heals.
Urban Meyer was able to do all this essentially without players targeted for his offensive schemes. He was able to use players recruited for Ron Zook's offensive schemes, teach them the ways of the spread option, and win the National Championship in 2 seasons. If this doesn't scare opposing teams, you need to look no further than the recruiting success he's had thus far at Florida. In his first full year of recruiting he was able to secure the #2 recruiting class in the nation, and in his second year he locked up the #1 recruiting class this season.
In my opinion Urban Meyer is the best head coach in the country, and it's exciting to think of the potential he has at Florida. With the right blend of talent, coaching, and luck he may easily become one of the great coaches of all time. His legacy will be remembered for his work with the spread option and his resounding success on the field. Don't be surprised if in 20 years Gator fans will have hung up all their visors and declared Urban Meyer the greatest coach to come through Gainsville.
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