I really thought Urban Meyer, who today was announced as the new head coach of the Ohio State football team, was a classy guy. No more. Not since he lied about being offered the job.
On Wednesday, Nov. 24, the AP wrote a story that Urban denied being offered a job: “I have not been offered any job nor is there a deal in place.”
However, in the stories that followed his press conference on Monday, Nov. 28, it was reported the Ohio State AD Gene Smith talked with Meyer over the phone on Nov. 20 and in-person on Nov. 23 about the position.
I’ve worked in sports PR for many years, so I know no secret is safe–there’s ALWAYS a leak somewhere. I also know that unfortunately, winning will be the cure for a morally weak coach. Look at Alabama’s Nick Saban, for example. He blatantly lied about being offered the job with the Crimson Tide a few years back, and all was forgiven after his team won the national championship.
But can we ever trust the likes of Saban and Meyer again? It doesn’t matter to athletic departments or fans, apparently. I would have recommended to Meyer to answer the media’s inquiries with a statement such as “So far, the media have only used unnamed sources as the basis for their stories. Thus, I will not comment on any speculation.” That’s much better than lying.
Then again, Ohio State fired its previous coach, Jim Tressel for lying. I guess the school didn’t learn its lesson.