Urban Meyer knows something about success. A winner of three national championships, he left his mark on both the Florida and Ohio State football programs.
Yet, he revealed on “The Triple Option” there was a time where he was “pissed” at Alabama because, quite frankly, it was so far ahead of his program. Reality hit hard one January night in 2013.
Back in 2012, his first year at Ohio State, his Buckeyes were undefeated but were ineligible for postseason due to sanctions. He was invited to call the BCS Championship Game between Notre Dame and Alabama. It was then, he knew, his program was nowhere close to where it needed to be, and he wasn’t happy.
“I walk in that stadium, and I watch Notre Dame warm up, then I see the Tide roll out,” Meyer said during the “The Triple Option” podcast. “I’m watching their coaches. I’m watching the technique of the hands, the way they warm up. Everybody does it on the team.
“And I’m sitting there and I’m getting so pissed off as I’m watching, and I’m thinking we’re not even close to that.”
He said he spent most of Alabama’s 42-14 win texting his players and coaches.
What was born from the experience was something he called, “The Chase.” Meyer decided at that point to recruit the best in the nation. Not the best in the conference or in the region, but the best, period. He put up a sign in the football facility. Only the players and coaches knew the message was about Alabama.
“Our goal is to chase that team right there,” Meyer said.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
