BleedGopher
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per ESPN:
When Urban Meyer came to Ohio State on Nov. 28, 2011, the Big Ten had bottomed out.
The league's highest-rated team in the BCS standings was No. 10 Wisconsin, guaranteeing no Big Ten representation in the national championship game for the fourth consecutive season. Penn State was embroiled in scandal, weeks removed from Joe Paterno's firing. Ohio State was headed toward its first seven-loss season since 1897. The Buckeyes' 24-17 loss to Florida in the Gator Bowl would be part of a 4-6 bowl record for the Big Ten, the league's eighth non-winning record during bowl season in nine years.
Despite the windfall from the Big Ten Network and the league's overall media rights agreement, several programs lagged in facilities, recruiting budgets, coaches' salaries and other areas. ESPN's 2012 national recruiting class rankings featured no Big Ten teams in the top five and, more damaging, only Ohio State (No. 6) and Michigan (7) in the top 25.
The league needed a jolt.
Meyer immediately provided one, especially when it came to recruiting. As Meyer retires from Ohio State, his impact on a league he dominated -- three conference championships, division titles in all seven seasons, a 54-4 record in conference games -- is undeniable.
"Not only has he elevated the quality and status of our program, but his presence has elevated Big Ten football," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said Monday during Meyer's retirement news conference. "To compete with Urban-coached teams, our Big Ten colleagues have had to elevate their programs."
http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...meyer-effect-big-ten-leaves-league-better-off
Go Gophers!!
When Urban Meyer came to Ohio State on Nov. 28, 2011, the Big Ten had bottomed out.
The league's highest-rated team in the BCS standings was No. 10 Wisconsin, guaranteeing no Big Ten representation in the national championship game for the fourth consecutive season. Penn State was embroiled in scandal, weeks removed from Joe Paterno's firing. Ohio State was headed toward its first seven-loss season since 1897. The Buckeyes' 24-17 loss to Florida in the Gator Bowl would be part of a 4-6 bowl record for the Big Ten, the league's eighth non-winning record during bowl season in nine years.
Despite the windfall from the Big Ten Network and the league's overall media rights agreement, several programs lagged in facilities, recruiting budgets, coaches' salaries and other areas. ESPN's 2012 national recruiting class rankings featured no Big Ten teams in the top five and, more damaging, only Ohio State (No. 6) and Michigan (7) in the top 25.
The league needed a jolt.
Meyer immediately provided one, especially when it came to recruiting. As Meyer retires from Ohio State, his impact on a league he dominated -- three conference championships, division titles in all seven seasons, a 54-4 record in conference games -- is undeniable.
"Not only has he elevated the quality and status of our program, but his presence has elevated Big Ten football," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said Monday during Meyer's retirement news conference. "To compete with Urban-coached teams, our Big Ten colleagues have had to elevate their programs."
http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...meyer-effect-big-ten-leaves-league-better-off
Go Gophers!!