ESPN insider Pete Thamel disputes reported contact between Nebraska, Urban Meyer

Pete Thamel is taking a page out of his ESPN colleague Lee Corso’s book when it comes to the persistent rumors regarding Urban Meyer taking his coaching talents to lead Nebraska, essentially yelling “Not so fast!” with his latest report on the matter.

On Saturday, Meyer basked in front of a red-clad crowd chanting “We Want Urban!” during Big Noon Kickoff, with CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd reporting that Meyer has been “contacted” by Nebraska regarding the job afterwards. Per the report, Meyer is not expressly a candidate, but he was pinged as the search for a new coach takes shape.

“It was not made clear whether Meyer was asked about his interest in holding the job,” Dodd wrote.

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Well, Thamel cleared the air on Sunday, refuting the report that the Cornhuskers even contacted Meyer, and adding that he’s not expected to pursue coaching opportunities at this time.

“Source: There’s been no contact between Nebraksa and Urban Meyer,” tweeted Thamel. “He’s expected to remain at FOX and not pursue coaching opportunities.”

Moreover, Meyer’s name has frequently come up when college head coaching jobs have come open since he retired from coaching Ohio State after the 2018 season. He’s won a national championship there (2014) and two at Florida (2006, 2008). 

Meyer most recently coached the Jacksonville Jaguars to start the 2021 season, but was fired after just 13 games in a tenure marked by major off field gaffes, negative press and an entirely subpar on-the-field product.

Evidently, Urban Meyer won’t be taking over the Cornhuskers, as entertaining as the possibility of that happening is.

Some Nebraska fans seem to want Urban Meyer as the next Huskers head coach

Rarely, if ever, is the Meyer-to-[insert school here] chatter realistic, but on Saturday the two-time national champion is at least actually, physically in Lincoln for Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, and the Cornhusker faithful made a statement.

Nebraska fans seemed enthused by the possibility of a coach with a proven record coming to try and win in Lincoln — not that Frost hadn’t been winning prior to being hired by his alma mater.

With Meyer in town on the set of Big Noon Kickoff, the crowd couldn’t help but regal him with chants asking him to come be the coach.

"We want Urban!" 👀 pic.twitter.com/g0pLheTfOL

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 17, 2022

Reggie Bush, one of Meyer’s counterparts on the show, gave a hearty “Go Big Red!” yell but was then drowned out by more chants for Meyer.

Despite being at one of the lowest points in the history of its football program, Nebraska is still likely an enticing job due to the Big Ten money and institutional commitment to getting things back on track.

On3’s Andrew Graham contributed to this article.