Urban Meyer to Michigan State rumors swirl despite conflicting reports

While Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan appear poised to battle it out on the field for the Big Ten East, Michigan State is embroiled in a struggle of a different kind. The university appears to be heading for a legal fight with recently fired head coach Mel Tucker due to ongoing sexual harassment claims. On the field, the Spartans are 2-3, as many have already shifted the focus to next season. The list of candidates to lead those 2024 Spartans is already quite long. But the man at the top of the list is former Ohio State coach and Penn State football rival Urban Meyer. While numerous stories have been published this week saying that Meyer isn’t interested in the Michigan State job, other reporting indicates that we shouldn’t rule it out just yet. 

Urban Meyer-Michigan State rumors swirl despite conflicting reports

Since Mel Tucker was put on unpaid leave and later fired for ongoing sexual harassment claims in September, speculation has swirled about who will be the next Michigan State head coach. Many Spartans fans have vocally called for the university to make a move for former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer. 

Although both Meyer and Michigan State currently have tarnished public reputations, on paper, the move makes some sense. The current Big Noon Kickoff host has shown the coaching itch likely won’t keep him in the TV booth forever. And Michigan State clearly has the money to spend on a big-time head coach. 

To date, the only wrinkle appears to be that Meyer isn’t interested in the job. On Wednesday, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic said he spoke with Urban Meyer directly, and the former Ohio State coach has “no interest” in the Michigan State position. 

About the “reports” linking Urban Meyer to the Michigan State HC job… I just checked with him. There is zero truth to it with him being a candidate for it. He has no interest in that, and is happy with what he’s doing now at Fox Sports.

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) October 4, 2023

However, new reporting calls this into question. Our sister site, Spartan Shadows, cites several reports that Meyer visited East Lansing last week. While these sources haven’t been 100% confirmed, it’s apparently enough for Michigan State fans to keep holding on to hope.

Next Michigan State coach could likely have ties to Penn State football

At any rate, there’s a decent chance that the next Michigan State coach could have some history with Penn State football.

Last week, we reported that former Penn State assistant and current Marshall head coach Charles Huff had been listed as a potential candidate for the job. This would mark the first time a former James Franklin assistant would become his peer in the Big Ten.

Another frequently listed name is longtime Spartans DC and current Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. Of course, there’s no love lost between Narduzzi and Penn State. Nittany Lions fans would love to face off against Narduzzi more frequently. 

With two months of the college football season remaining, it’s unlikely we’ll reach the conclusion of this Michigan State saga anytime soon. But expect the rumors to only intensify as we get closer to the end of the year. It’s possible that the Michigan State coaching search could be a significant storyline when Penn State football prepares to face off against the Spartans in the regular season finale on Black Friday.

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