The Start of Something Special

One of the first things I was taught in journalism school was you must have the ability to be fair and unbiased. Objectivity is key.

I was born and raised in Ohio and have been an Ohio State and Cleveland sports fan my whole life. But, when I chose this field of work, I realized all previous ties must be put aside. As both a fan and a graduate of OSU, this was difficult, but it needed to be done.

But when head coach Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes take the field in Ohio Stadium this Saturday, I must say it’s going to be pretty damn cool.

I was a Jim Tressel supporter. I will forever appreciate the marvelous National Championship campaign he orchestrated in 2002. And there’s no doubt that without the “TatGate” scandal, Tressel would still be the head coach of The Ohio State University.

But, while Tressel had his coaching style, “Tressel Ball” if you will, the game was changing and passing him by. Other Tressel supporters may not want to hear it, but the Buckeyes would not have won another National Championship with him as head coach. The game is just too different now.

But now, it’s Meyer’s turn to lead the Buckeyes.

And I’m not quite sure Ohio State fans realize what they’ve got just yet.

Meyer has won 81.9% of games in which he’s been the head coach (104-23). He’s won 87.5% of his bowl games (7-1). And, oh yeah, he’s also got two National Championships in his back pocket.

ESPN’s “Training Days” series showed how Meyer runs this team. He’s fierce, intense and takes no nonsense. He demands the best out of his players, and he gets it. His team’s results show that.

There will be no more three yards and a cloud of dust. Everything will be up tempo and fast. There will be trash talking and a lot of swagger. It is something very different from your traditional Ohio State Buckeyes.

But maybe that’s exactly what this program needs.

After one of the most difficult years in the history of Ohio State’s storied program, Urban Meyer is just that—exactly what was needed.

Come Saturday, I’m going to watch Ohio State take on Miami (OH) with an open mind. But I can’t lie and say I won’t have a big smile on my face when Urban leads the Buckeyes out on that field.