Urban Meyer explains why he is ‘very defensive’ of Ohio State fan base

There are plenty of people who have been critical of the Ohio State fan base for being too negative and going too far when the Buckeyes struggle. Former Ohio State coach and current Fox Sports college football analyst Urban Meyer recently defended Buckeyes fans from the backlash they have received.

Meyer, who is from Ohio and led Ohio State to a national title, doesn’t have a problem with the added pressure that comes with playing for the Buckeyes and the Ohio State fan base.

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“When you lose a game or you’re three-and-out, you punt, they boo… when I hear people attack the fanbase, I’m the opposite,” Urban Meyer said on The Triple Option podcast. “It was standard operating procedure. Every staff meeting I made that clear where you’re at. The expectations will never change.

“There’s no media member, there’s no assistant coach, there’s never anyone who’s going to say, ‘You know, we’ve got to temper this down a little bit.’ Not the way it works.” 

Urban Meyer continued that when you sign up to play at Ohio State or coach at Ohio State, there’s added pressure that comes with it. If you can’t handle that pressure then you shouldn’t be a part of the Buckeyes program, according to Meyer.

“There’s not a player that’s going to say, ‘Man, these guys are loud here. I dropped a ball or I fumbled or I did this, they’re pissed off and my social media’s getting attacked.’ I know, I mean don’t drop the ball,” Urban Meyer said.

Yes, it can be tough playing and coaching under a microscope, but there are also plenty of positives that come with playing for a program with such passionate fans, according to Meyer. Ohio Stadium is always packed, the fan base supports the program financially and you never have to wonder how much it really means to fans.

“I love passionate fanbases, because I’ve seen the opposite,” Urban Meyer said. “I’m very defensive of the Ohio State fan base, because I’m one of them. I grew up a Buckeye. It’s not a pastime. It’s a way of life.”

The Ohio State fan base has been rewarded for its passion this season as the Buckeyes have advanced all the way to the national championship game. OSU can clinch the national title with a win over Notre Dame Monday night.

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