Urban Meyer, former head coach at Utah, Florida, and Ohio State, recently shared that his coaching journey almost came to an end due to a faith-related controversy. Speaking at a Life Surge event in Columbus, Ohio, Meyer revealed that during his tenure at Ohio State, he wanted to host weekly church services for his players, recognizing they had little time to attend services on their own.
“I wanted to bring church to the team,” Meyer said. However, a university lawyer informed him that such gatherings would violate the separation of church and state, making them legally problematic.
Unwilling to back down, Meyer brought the issue to then-athletic director Gene Smith, telling him, “We’re doing this. If not, you’ll need to let me go.” Ultimately, a compromise was reached. The event was rebranded as a “reflection” session to meet legal standards, allowing it to continue without breaching policies.
This incident highlighted ongoing tensions in college sports surrounding religious expression. Other programs, like Deion Sanders’ at Colorado, have also faced scrutiny. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has repeatedly raised concerns about faith-based team activities. In Sanders’ case, it prompted the university to provide training on appropriate religious conduct under the Establishment Clause.
Meyer, too, drew the FFRF’s attention back in 2012 when The Columbus Dispatch reported he was planning to lead Bible studies and chapel services. Then-Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee responded by denying Meyer led any religious services, claiming he had been misquoted though the paper stood by its reporting.
Meyer had a storied career, guiding Utah to an undefeated season and Florida to two national championships. He coached Ohio State from 2012 to 2018, winning a national title in 2014. He later had a brief and tumultuous stint with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Today, Meyer resides in Sarasota, Florida, and works as a college football analyst for Fox Sports.
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