Urban Meyer on Ohio State national championship: 'They'll never, ever take that away from you'

For the first time since the Urban Meyer era, Ohio State is on top of the college football world, thanks to his former assistant Ryan Day and the mettle of the 2024 Buckeyes.

While it wasn’t a sure thing, Ohio State survived an onslaught of road blocks, going on an incredible run throughout the end of December through January on their way towards being the last team standing. As Meyer knows well and good, winning a national title leads to immortality, and he couldn’t be happier to see the Buckeyes reach the pinnacle once again.

“To see Coach Day, his coaching staff, the infrastructure that they have there, and Buckeye Nation — I’m from the great state of Ohio, and I made this comment, I think, the last time on the podcast. But football is a way of life. That’s not a pastime in the state of Ohio. I mean, high school football — football is football. That’s why the Football Hall of Fame is in Canton, Ohio. That’s why the game of football is so important. I landed in Sarasota, I see Ohio State flags everywhere. So, it’s so cool. Ohio State’s fanbase is arguably the largest fanbase, and a very critical fanbase,” Meyer explained, following Ohio State’s victory, via The Triple Option.

“But to see them boys lift the trophy, they get to enjoy that for 365. It’s true, they really do. … You’re brothers the rest of your life. They’ll never, ever take that away from you. That national championship. That’s what’s so cool about it.”

All told, Meyer and the rest of Buckeyes Nation was waiting for their team to wake up and showcase their talent, and that’s exactly what they did in the CFP. It wasn’t always guaranteed, and some thought it wasn’t possible when they fell to Oregon in Eugene, narrowly escaped against foes like Nebraska, and of course, after suffering a demoralizing defeat to the Wolverines during the final week of the regular season.

In the end, all that mattered was what they did in the CFP. A dismantling of Tennessee. Revenge against the aforementioned Ducks at the Rose Bowl. Holding serve and sending the SEC home by defeating Texas. And finally, their win over Notre Dame, where they did just enough to avoid a colossal collapse. 

Ohio State always had the talent, and now they’ve finally finished the job. Ryan Day deserves to be commended for not allowing a season brimming with potential to fall apart, and Urban Meyer is certainly proud of his former pupil.