Ohio State Football Notebook: ‘We need to get him ready, he’s got to play next year’

Circling the Coaching Wagons

Even before the 2017 season was over, there were rumors of coaching departures for the Buckeyes. It comes with the territory when you have assistant coaches that other programs want, but that doesn’t mean Urban Meyer is okay with just sitting by and watching them depart.

That’s why he tries to keep them happy while they are at Ohio State.

So how does he do that? Is it simply the power of persuasion? Enticements?

“All of the above,” Meyer said. “Trying to think who we had leave. I’ve had Mike Vrabel leave, and I kind of felt that might happen. Kerry Coombs was a shocker. Greg Schiano, Ryan Day. And then Larry Johnson. You name it, he’s had an offer from everyone. I mean that’s how good he is. So I try to create an atmosphere around here that we take care of our coaches and that it’s an excellent work environment.

“The best working environment you can have is sitting in a room with quality people. I think we have done an excellent job on that. Do we entice them or do we — that has become a little bit of a factor where people want to take care of their families. Do we get into bidding wars? We don’t do that. We want to do the best we can and once again our athletic director allows me to do that.”

Inaction Jackson

Junior college defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson arrived this winter with a nagging foot injury that had to be taken care of. Losing time immediately upon arrival is always devastating for a player, but according to Urban Meyer, Jackson hasn’t let it get him down.

“His attitude’s been great,” Meyer said. “He had a little piece of bone taken out of his foot from an old injury. He should be back for spring practice. Has a great attitude and he’s here because of Coach Johnson and he wanted to be a part of the Buckeyes and so we need to get him ready, he’s got to play next year.”

The Starting Quarterback Is?

While speaking with reporters recently, Urban Meyer was asked the question that is on everyone’s mind — does Dwayne Haskins start the spring as the team’s No. 1 quarterback?

What was Meyer’s answer?

“I have no idea,” he said. “That’s going to be an evaluation every day as we get ready for spring practice.”

A One-Way Conversation?

When Mike Weber talked about his decision to return for a fourth season at Ohio State, he mentioned that he heard what he wanted to hear from the coaches. The assumption from the outside being that there will be more carries available for the running backs, which is the best way for Weber to showcase his abilities to his future employer.

According to Urban Meyer, however, it was more about listening to Weber and his family than telling them what they wanted to hear.

“I more listened,” Meyer said. “I listened to him, and Coach Alford and him have a good relationship. I talked to his father. And the maturity level, what’s the next level, is pretty tough. Are you mature enough to go handle life in the National Football League, or do you need another year? In his opinion he needed another year and I agreed with him. But there were no promises and ‘we’re going to do this for you’ and all that. I let those guys do the talking and then see if we can help them.”