### Biography of Urban Meyer
#### 1. Early Life
Urban Frank Meyer III was born on July 10, 1964, in Toledo, Ohio. Growing up in Ashtabula, Ohio, Meyer was raised in a Catholic home with an emphasis on athletics and education. His father, Bud Meyer, instilled in him a strong work ethic and a passion for sports. Meyer attended Saint John High School, where he excelled in baseball and football. He went on to play college baseball at the University of Cincinnati, where he earned his bachelor's degree in psychology in 1986.
#### 2. Career
Urban Meyer's coaching career began shortly after college, starting as a graduate assistant at Ohio State University in 1986 under head coach
Earle-Bruce. He then moved on to various assistant coaching positions, including stints at Illinois State, Colorado State, and Notre Dame. In 2001, Meyer landed his first head coaching job at Bowling Green State University, turning around a struggling program in just two seasons.
In 2003, Meyer took over as head coach at the University of Utah. During his tenure, he led the Utes to a perfect 12-0 season in 2004, culminating in a Fiesta Bowl victory. His success caught the attention of the University of Florida, where he became head coach in 2005. At Florida, Meyer cemented his reputation by winning two BCS National Championships in 2006 and 2008.
After a brief retirement in 2011 citing health reasons, Meyer returned to coaching in 2012 at Ohio State University. He led the Buckeyes to a National Championship in 2014. Meyer retired again after the 2018 season, finishing with a coaching record that includes three national championships and multiple conference titles.
In 2021, Meyer made his NFL coaching debut with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, his time in the NFL was short-lived as he was dismissed from his position after a series of controversies and poor performances.
#### 3. Notable Achievements
- **Two BCS National Championships with the University of Florida (2006, 2008)**: Meyer's strategic acumen was on full display as he led the Gators to two national titles in three years.
- **One CFP National Championship with Ohio State University (2014)**: Meyer's leadership helped the Buckeyes secure the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship.
- **Undefeated Season (2004)**: At Utah, Meyer coached the Utes to a perfect season, which was a significant achievement for a non-AQ conference team at the time.
- **Multiple Coach of the Year Awards**: Meyer has received numerous coaching accolades, including the Home Depot Coach of the Year award in 2004 and the Woody Hayes Trophy in 2004 and 2012.
#### 4. Personal Life
Urban Meyer is married to
Shelley-Meyer, whom he met while both were students at the University of Cincinnati. They have three children together: Nicole, Gisela, and Nathan. The Meyer family places a strong emphasis on community involvement and philanthropy. Meyer's personal challenges, particularly related to health issues like headaches and a cyst in his brain, have been well-documented and were influential in his decisions to step away from coaching multiple times. Despite controversies, including a well-publicized suspension in 2018 related to his handling of allegations against a staff member,
Zach-Smith, Meyer's impact on college football remains significant.
Urban Meyer's career has been marked by tremendous success on the football field, shaped by his competitive nature and innovative coaching strategies. Off the field, his life reflects the complexities of balancing health, family, and the high pressures of collegiate and professional sports coaching.