BG's Meyer leaving for Utah

12/11/2002

BOWLING GREEN -- The Urban Meyer era at Bowling Green State University ended abruptly in the early morning hours today when the 38-year-old head coach made his decision to leave the Falcons and take over the program at the University of Utah. Meyer had been offered the Utah job earlier this week, then flew home Tuesday to consider it.

Meyer, who led Bowling Green to a 17-6 record in his two seasons in the Mid-American Conference, met with his players at 7 a.m. and informed them of his departure. All of the Bowling Green coaches, many of whom were on the road around the country recruiting, had been called back to the school and were present for the meeting.

A source close to the Meyer family said the coach and his wife Shelley anguished over the decision until about 3:30 in the morning. The source said Meyer had talked with a number of coaches about the Utah position, and that although the Meyers were happy in Bowling Green, "there were other things they had to look at."

Meyer has not signed his Utah contract yet, and reports Tuesday evening that said he had already taken the job were irresponsible and "had no basis in fact," a source close to the family said.

Meyer is expected to hold a news conference in Salt Lake City tomorrow, when he will be introduced by Utah athletic director Chris Hill as the new head coach of the Utes.