Urban Meyer threatens to leave Ohio State over church services
- Urban Meyer aimed to hold church services for his players every Sunday to support their spiritual needs.
- He faced legal resistance from Ohio State's attorney regarding this initiative due to church and state separation laws.
- Meyer was adamant about providing these services, threatening to resign if his request was denied, leading to a compromise where the event was renamed 'reflection.'
In the United States, Urban Meyer, the former head football coach of Ohio State University, revealed a significant incident from his coaching career during a sermon at a non-denominational church in Columbus, Ohio. This event took place while he was head coach from 2012 to 2018. Meyer expressed his desire to offer church services to his players right before team meetings on Sundays, asserting that the tight schedule of the players throughout the week limited their opportunities to attend church. However, he faced resistance from the university when the attorney warned him about the legal implications regarding separation of church and state. Meyer was insistent, believing that providing a church-like service for his players was essential. During his discussion, he recounted giving Gene Smith, the athletic director, an ultimatum regarding the church service. He threatened that if the service was not permitted, he would resign from his position. This moment highlighted the coaching staff's priorities and found a champion in Meyer, who believed in bringing important aspects of spiritual life to his team's discipline and well-being. Despite the university’s attorney arguing against the service, Meyer relayed his determination, stating, "we're doing it," and pressed for acceptance of the format to be labeled as a 'reflection' instead. While some might view this anecdote with skepticism, particularly in light of controversies he faced later in his career, it signified an important intersection of athletics and personal belief as advocated by Meyer. He articulated a perspective unique among coaches who often focus exclusively on game strategies rather than their players' holistic needs. The story reflects complexities within college sports, where players are often expected to dedicate their lives to their sport yet are also provided an avenue to engage with their spirituality. It reveals the internal conflict faced by university officials, particularly in trying to maintain policy adherence while supporting a coach's desire for player development. Furthermore, Meyer later achieved considerable accolades during his tenure, notably leading the Buckeyes to the 2014 national championship.