Urban's Way

Award-winning journalist, Buddy Martin, shines a light on what it takes to become a head football coach in his book, Urban’s Way. This book follows Meyer’s life in all events that led him to where he is today at the University of Florida. The book begins in his home town of Ashtabula, Ohio. In his teen years, Meyer’s no tolerance father and compassionate mother helped to show him how to treat fellow players. This was a lesson well used as Meyer played both football and baseball. He carried these teachings with him as he struggled to enter the collegiate coaching ranks. The years of 1986-2000 were spent at various assistant coaching positions such as Ohio State, Illinois State, Colorado State, and Notre Dame. These years brought both good and bad. On one hand, Meyer had self-doubt when it seemed his career was stalled; on the other hand, Meyer picked up new tactics from mentors such as Earle Bruce and Lou Holtz. Meyer also developed his legendary “Plan to Win” while at Notre Dame. In 2001, Meyer went to Bowling Green State as their new head football coach. After two seasons there, an opportunity for the head position at Utah opened up. His teams there had a 22-2 record and went to win two major bowl games. The next and final step for Meyer was to tackle a more major program. Meyer accepted the challenge of bringing the Florida Gators back to glory after the struggle with former coach, Zook. It is here Meyer truly unleashes the “spread offense”. Urban Meyer’s personal faith and philosophies make his goal more than just winning, but also shaping the lives of each player he comes in contact with. That is Urban’s way.

This book opened me up to so much that I did not know. I truly believe that Meyer’s upbringing shapes how he goes about coaching. His mother and father bring two different aspects together. Martin describes the two by saying, “Urban was raised at the stern hand of his father, but with the tender touch of his mother and was a self-proclaimed mama’s boy” (Martin 51). This almost directly reflects in the way Meyer treats his players. He won’t stand for nonsense. His players know they better keep their act together and give all they have. At the same time, Urban Meyer wants the absolute best for his players. He opens his home, family, and heart to them. He uses his toughness to shape them but stays soft enough to help them out.

Urban’s Way opened my eyes to the passion and desire Urban Meyer has to be a head football coach. His dream formed from simple amazement as he passed a head coach in the moment with his players. Once he began the coaching career, as a intern for St. Xavier, he never looked back. Times were hard for him and his family while he tried to get his foot in the door. An assistant coach didn’t bring in much money. They were constantly moving and could never truly get settled in one place. Yet, his wife, Shelley, pushed him to continue and succeed. After thoughts of quitting, Shelley told Urban that, “you’re meant to be a coach… the passion for that job was incredible” (Martin 69). He put himself through hard times and self-doubt to get to where his is now. Meyer knows that perseverance pays off. He instills this in his players. If you want something, nothing can stop you. As Meyer promises, “I will not quit on you” (Martin 10).


Martin, Buddy. Urban's Way: Urban Meyer, The Florida Gators, and His Plan to Win. 1st ed. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press, 2009. Print.