Urban Meyer, whose latest retirement from coaching football begins after Ohio State meets Washington in the Rose Bowl, plans to remain a big man on campus after all.
Turns out he’s going to co-teach a business course this spring titled “Leadership and Character.”
What’s that look on your face?
Just because it seemed like Meyer, at last check, still had a few things to learn on this subject?
Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business apparently believes the world needs more MBAs thinking and acting like football coaches in general and Meyer specifically.
It explained in a statement Thursday: “Urban Meyer brings extensive leadership experience and a unique perspective to students seeking to engage with top leaders.”
“Unique perspective” is a great way to put it so long as “unique” is emphasized over “perspective.”
Surely no one has forgotten that Meyer’s exit as Buckeyes coach was spurred by more than the strain of health issues aggravated by stress.
There also was the inescapable shadow cast by how, as a leader, he revealed his character through his handling of allegations of domestic abuse and other reported transgressions by assistant coach Zach Smith, grandson of former Buckeyes coaching legend Earle Bruce.
Obfuscations, poor judgment, misplaced allegiances and other lapses in dealing with the Smith situation earned Meyer a three-game suspension at the start of this season. Many regarded that sanction as merely a tap on the wrist by Ohio State trustees.
After all, the independent investigation conducted at the behest of trustees determined Meyer’s handling of the Smith case “did not exhibit the kind of leadership and high standards that we expect … on the football staff.”
So it’s not what’s expected from the football staff, but it’s apparently the kind of leadership and high standards with which the business school is totally cool?
Fantastic.
Then again, perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to judge.
While the Fisher School says the course, to be taught with retired Air Force Lt. Col. Charles “Chas” Buchanan, “will leverage Coach Meyer’s professional insights, challenges and successes,” maybe there will be occasion for reflection on what Meyer did wrong.
It can’t all be about the successes (i.e. two national championships at Florida, taking the Ohio State job, beating Michigan, winning another national championship, beating Michigan some more)? Can it?
