Urban Meyer rumors continue to swirl around Ohio State

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Urban Meyer, the former Florida coach now in broadcast retirement, continues to be the focus of speculation as the perfect fit for the Ohio State football coaching job.

You probably saw reports that he’s been offered the job, that a deal is in place and that an announcement is pending. Meyer and Ohio State have denied the rumors, with the man who coached the Gators to two BCS national titles even releasing a statement Wednesday saying that he had no offer in hand and no deal was agreed upon.

That’s how it usually works in the coaching business. Denial that an interview has taken place, refusal to admit an offer has been made and, to add icing on the cake, no comment about word that a news conference is set to announce the hiring.

Meyer went so far as to issue a statement through ESPN on Wednesday when the rumor mill was hitting a fever pitch: ‘I have not been offered any job nor is there a deal in place. I plan on spending Thanksgiving with my family and will not comment on this any further.’

All of which usually means that Meyer will be the next coach of the Buckeyes, who ended the regular season with a heart-breaking, 40-34 loss to Big Ten rival Michigan.

Ohio State performed admirably under interim coach Luke Fickell, compiling a 6-3 record as suspensions staggered the Buckeyes in the wake of the Tyrelle Pryor-Jim Tressel tattoo parlor scandal. But that’s neither here nor there, not when the team lost three straight and ended the regular season at 6-6. Not when it appears that Meyer is about to become the next coach at Ohio State.

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-- Dan Loumena