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Urban Meyer’s unique strategy to get his playmakers the football at Ohio State, Florida
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Discussing the Maryland Terrapins’ offensive explosion on The Big Ten Network, former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer shared a helpful tactic he used during his days on the sidelines.
“What I’ve done over the years is I’d have my game plan sheet with me, and in the corner I’d always have a tag list,” Meyer explained.
“For example, at Ohio State I had Curtis Samuel, Parris Campbell, K.J. Hill and (Ezekiel) Elliott. You better make sure he touches the ball. Michael Thomas, you better make sure he touches the ball. Every time he did, I’d make a little mark by it.”
This is a tactic that dates back to Meyer’s days coaching at Florida in the Southeastern Conference.
“When I was at Florida, I had a rule that Percy Harvin had to touch the ball 10 times a game.”
The concept is simple: Get the football in the hands of your best players and let them operate in space.
By using this basic tenant, Meyer became one of the best coaches in college football history. Throughout 17 seasons at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio State, he posted a record of 187-32 (.854%). His tenure with the Buckeyes was especially outstanding, going 83-9 (.902%) and winning the inaugural College Football Playoff in 2014.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.