Former ESPN host believes Urban Meyer could replace Ryan Day at Ohio State

Could Urban Meyer return to coaching at Ohio State?

It’s a question that has to be on the mind of at least a few Buckeyes fans following a fourth straight loss to Michigan. And now it’s a question that’s been broached in some prominent sports talk circles.

On the latest episode of the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show, former ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Crawford made some interesting comments that suggest it might not be quite as far-fetched a possibility as you may think.

After another of the show’s hosts floated the question about whether Urban Meyer might come back, Crawford answered in no uncertain terms.

“Of the three people that I talked to, two of them with some degree of certainty said yes, he would come back, and, yes, they would ask him back because those are the questions I asked,” Crawford said.

Of course, for the time being Ohio State doesn’t even have an opening.

Ryan Day is 66-10 over his six years there, putting together a remarkable run, albeit with the recent woes against Michigan. His athletics director, Ross Bjork, also just chimed in attempting to turn down the heat.

“Our full focus right now is on the College Football Playoff and making a strong run,” Bjork told The Columbus Dispatch. “We have a ton to play for. We have a great team made up of talented players and great young men. Coach Day does a great job leading our program. He’s our coach.”

Back to Crawford and his take on Urban Meyer.

Another of the show’s hosts asked if Meyer himself would undercut Day, his replacement, to return as Ohio State’s head coach. Crawford responded.

“I’m surprised you’re even asking that question,” Crawford said. “The biggest thing to me is this: Urban never wanted to leave Ohio State. The people that were closest to him and that know him well know that he did not want to leave Ohio State. His hand was forced because the administration at the time did not like how powerful Urban had become at the university.

“And so there was a real power struggle. Note that the two main players that forced Urban Meyer out, and that’s what it was, are gone.”

In any case, Meyer himself has been fairly vocal about how happy he is working as an analyst at FOX and how he has no intention to return to coaching. But, hey, it’s college football.

Crazier things have happened.