The Dallas Cowboys might still have Jason Garrett at head coach, but the search for a new guy for the job is already the biggest discussion around America's Team. Many names have been mentioned by fans, analysts and reporters but a few have stood out most.
One of those names is Urban Meyer. Currently a football analyst on TV, Meyer is somewhat of a controversial character in football. Some view him as a great candidate for a head coaching position – both in the NFL and in college – but some have gone as far as describing him as toxic. His intense personality and health issues are rumored to be the reasons why he hasn't adventured to the NFL despite an impressive career in college. And man, it really has been impressive.
One thing is clear. Urban Meyer has won everywhere he's coached. In 17 years as a head coach, he went 187-32. His .854 winning percentage is one of the main reasons he's considered one of the best coaches in college football history. He's a winner.
He has won more than regular season games, too. He's won three National Championships. Two when he was in Florida coaching the Gators – and Tim Tebow – and the most recent one when he was with the Ohio State Buckeyes. In bowl games, his record is 12-3. He's coached two perfect seasons (one in Utah, one in Ohio State).
During his two-year run in Utah, he won 22 games and lost only two. For the first time in college football history, a non-Power 5 team played in a BCS Bowl when the Utes went 12-0 but the BCS didn't allow them to play for the title.
In his most recent run, he won over 90% of his games in Ohio State (83-9). On his first season with the Buckeyes, Meyer led his team to a 12-0 record and missed postseason play due to a suspension the NCAA had handed Ohio State.
Meyer is an offensive coach who runs a spread zone read scheme. It's an offense that has brought his teams a lot of success, and it's hard to imagine it not working at the next level. After all, it's an offense that we already see every Sunday.
With a great offensive line, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper, there's no question Meyer has interest in coaching the Cowboys, as he himself has publicly stated. He'd have the pieces he needs to build an offense.
The thing about Meyer is that his strengths are plenty, but his weakness is huge. He has a great record of winning at the college level and an offense would very likely work in the NFL. However, the uncertainty about his availability due to health-related issues is a big concern.
When the Gators lost to Alabama in 2009 SEC Championship Game, Meyer had to be taken to the hospital to check his heart. If that doesn't illustrate how big of an issue that could be, I don't know what does.
Can he endure the grind of being an NFL head coach and remaining healthy?
That's the important question. If the answer is “yes,” what's not to like about a head coach that has done nothing but win in his career?
Of course, there are many, many candidates for the Cowboys HC position. But there's a reason why Urban Meyer has been acknowledge as one of the leading candidates.
