Ohio State introduces Urban Meyer as Buckeyes’ football coach

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Urban Meyer was officially hired Monday as Ohio State’s football coach, ending weeks of intense speculation about whether he will take over the program.

The university said he will receive a six-year contract that pays $4 million annually, plus another $2.4 million total in “retention payments,’ which will make him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.

Meyer has a 104-23 record over 10 seasons at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida. He won two BCS national titles with the Gators before stepping down a year ago because of health concerns and a desire to spend more time with his family.

‘A year ago in my mind I was convinced I was done coaching,” he said at an introductory news conference.

Meyer said that the Ohio State coaching job was the only position that could lure him back on the field.

He will take over for interim coach Luke Fickell, who replaced Jim Tressel in May and has coached the Buckeyes to a 6-6 record amid NCAA sanctions.

Fickell will coach Ohio State in their bowl game and will remain on Meyer’s staff next season as an assistant.

Come back to latimes.com/sports for more on this development.

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-- Melissa Rohlin

The Associated Press contributed to this report.