Thee-time college football national champion coach Urban Meyer returned to Ohio State this week as part of the program’s annual coaches clinic.
It was the first time Meyer had returned to the campus in an official capacity with the university since he left the program in 2018. While speaking at the clinic, Meyer dished on many topics — including the memorabilia-for-tattoos scandal that directly led to his hire.
In 2011, former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel resigned after quarterback Terrelle Pryor and four other player — colloquially known as the “Tat 5” — were caught trading Big Ten championship rings, game-worn apparel and other items for tattoos at a local parlor. Interim coach Luke Fickell guided the program to a 6-7 season that ended with a loss to the Florida Gators in the then-TaxSlayer.com Bowl.
The Buckeyes hired Meyer that December. And though Meyer would go on to win a national championship with Ohio State, he was no fan of the scandal that cost his predecessor the job.
“It was nonsense. I can say that publicly now,” Meyer said, according to the Columbus Dispatch. “It was nonsense, what went on with coach Tressel and all that, to give a penalty like that.”
The Buckeyes faced a scholarship reduction and a one-year bowl ban. Meyer said at first the sanctions scared him.
“My original thought was, ‘I didn’t sign up for this,'” Meyer said.
He would lead the Buckeyes to a 12-0 season in his first year in Columbus. The rest, as they say, is history.
