It’s been close to 20 days since Penn State fired James Franklin, and for AD Pat Kraft, his head coaching search is yet to bear fruit. Indiana and Nebraska have secured their head coaches from getting poached with contract extensions. But for University Park, the search is still on. On their head coach carousel, Urban Meyer was another possible candidate. But will the former head coach, who called his last play in 2018, return for another stint?

His recent activity gave some of the Nittany Lions’ fanbase hope that he would choose to come coach there. Last week, Urban Meyer met with Senator Dave McCormick, and the conversation centered on “leadership, teamwork, and serving something bigger than yourself.” According to sports personality Craig Carton, the meeting concerned the Penn State job. With three national titles on his resume, Penn State’s interest in him seems obvious. So, naturally, fans are eager to know if the celebrated coach will get down from the broadcasting box to the sidelines.

But unfortunately, it looks like that won’t be the case. On Friday, Meyer made his coaching intentions pretty clear. “I don’t have a desire,” Meyer responded to reporter Kellyanne Stitts’ question regarding the rumors. Stitts further wrote. “Despite eight Power 4 schools looking for head football coaches, including Penn State, LSU, and Florida, Urban Meyer is not interested in getting back into coaching.”

Beginning his coaching journey as a graduate assistant at Ohio State, Meyer would go on to reform four college programs over his career, spanning three decades.

Over his 18-year-long head coaching tenure, he transformed OSU, Florida, Utah, and Bowling Green. However, Urban Meyer has put forward OSU OC Brian Hartline as the one who is ready to handle head coaching duties.

“I’m a big Brian Hartline fan, always have been, and he just needed the experience (as an OC). I’m glad he stayed (at OSU), he had a chance to leave, and he learned from us and (Buckeyes head) coach (Ryan) Day, and I think he’s ready.” Although Meyer has provided a crisp reply on returning to his head coaching duties, he still has something else to look forward to. Meyer is going to be part of a new tradition at the OSU vs. Penn State matchup.

Urban Meyer will be present for a new twist on tradition

Meyer will be present at The Shoe for the game against Penn State. Not just as part of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, but the Buckeyes are honoring him with a special tradition.

Meyer is featuring as the victory bell ringer. “THE Bell Ringer vs. Penn State will be none other than National Championship-winning Hall of Fame Head Coach Urban Meyer 🏆🌰,” OSU shared on X. This new tradition has been started to add to the in-game experience for the fans at the Buckeyes stadium.

The tradition is not completely new, with the bell being rung following home wins. But Ryan Day’s twist is calling for it to be used as a pre-game ritual to hype up the crowd, with distinguished figures to come and be the victory bell ringer. “It’s great to see him recognized,” Day said about Meyer getting the honor. “He had a huge influence on my life and so many people here. One of the best coaches in the history of college football.”

Meyer coached OSU from 2012 to 2018, with a sweet 7-0 record against the team up north. After Meyer retired in 2018, Day took the reins of the program. Meyer will be the fifth celebrated individual to ring the bell on Saturday.