Urban Meyer Threatens Ohio State Exit Over Bible Study Dispute

Urban Meyer, former Ohio State football coach and three-time national champion, revealed he once threatened to leave the program over a dispute about holding church services for his players. Meyer wanted to hold Sunday morning church services before team meetings to accommodate players who lacked time to attend church during the week. However, Ohio State's legal counsel informed him that such services were not allowed due to the separation of church and state at the public university. Meyer gave athletic director Gene Smith an ultimatum: allow the services or let him go, leading to a compromise where the gatherings were renamed "reflection" sessions rather than church or Bible study. Meyer emphasized that the sessions were optional but wanted to provide players the opportunity for spiritual engagement. This revelation was made during a Life Surge event in Columbus, highlighting Meyer's commitment to integrating faith within his coaching tenure despite institutional challenges.