Ohio State lands Meyer for 6 years, $24m

Nov 28, 2011 - 11:12 PM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Urban Meyer is the next head football coach at Ohio State after all.

After denying reports linking him to the position last week, Meyer signed a six-year contract worth at least $24 million to coach at his alma mater.

Ohio State made the announcement Monday afternoon before introducing him at a press conference.

"We're fortunate to have a man who gets it and has an understanding of the rich history and tradition at Ohio State," said athletic director Gene Smith.

Meyer's contract, signed on Monday, runs through January 31, 2018, and is for a base salary of $4 million a year with incentive bonuses built in.

Interim head coach Luke Fickell will lead the Buckeyes if they're picked for a bowl game and will remain on Meyer's staff in a "significant" position after the new coach takes over.

Fickell has been in charge since Jim Tressel resigned in May in the wake of a scandal involving players selling items and memorabilia. He has guided Ohio State to a 6-6 record this season, including a loss to arch-rival Michigan this past Saturday.

Meyer said he met with Fickell for three to four hours before asking him to remain on the staff.

"There is no question, we all know it, that Luke and this staff took on an unbelievable challenge to lead this football program," Meyer said.

Both sides said the first conversations about Meyer taking the job occurred two Sundays ago, on November 20. Smith said he led a group that went to visit Meyer three days later "and spend some time with him."

A contract offer was presented to Meyer on Sunday and he accepted it Monday morning.

His yearly salary of $4 million includes $700,000 in base compensation; $1.85 million for media, promotions and public relations; a retirement contribution of $40,000; and $10,000 in Coca-Cola appearance payments.

He will receive two-year compensation increases of $450,000, $750,000 and $1.2 million if he is still employed by the end of the contract.

Meyer, who was born and grew up in Ohio, stepped down as head coach at Florida last December, citing health concerns. He spent six seasons in Gainesville and led the Gators to a record of 65-15 with a pair of national championships.

"I feel great," he said. "I had a health scare a couple of years ago that made me sit back and reflect."

Meyer started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Ohio State in 1986. The 47-year-old had been an analyst for ESPN since stepping down as head coach at Florida, but couldn't resist the opportunity to return to the place he knows better than any other.

"This is my home state," said Meyer, "and it's great to be home."

He is the 24th head coach in program history. Before Monday's press conference Meyer talked with the team, saying he particularly enjoyed meeting quarterback Braxton Miller.

"With all due respect to everyone in this room," he said, "that was the highlight of my day."

The three-time national coach of the year has an overall record of 104-23. He took his first head coaching job at Bowling Green in 2001 and posted a record of 17-6 in two seasons with the Falcons before moving on to Utah, where he guided the Utes to a mark of 22-2 in two seasons. Meyer closed out his stint in Salt Lake City with 16 consecutive wins.

In addition to his start at Ohio State, Meyer was also an assistant at Illinois State, Colorado State and Notre Dame.