You probably don’t remember this, but Urban Meyer once coached at Bowling Green. And back in December of 2002, he was a rising star in the coaching ranks, and Utah was interested. Here’s what Meyer told the media at the time:

“Everybody’s worried about those other places; nothings going on,” Meyer told the media last week in his final media gathering of the season. “I was contacted by one, but I’m not interested. I love it here. We have a lot of work to do. That’s the bottom line. The future is fantastic here . . . I’m proud to be the football coach here.”

Within days, Meyer bolted for Utah. This happens regularly in college football, and the coaches can’t be faulted. At the first hint that a coach might jump, rival coaches (and assistants, and players) plant stories with recruits in an effort to win them over. It’s probably not personal – though it might be if Lane Kiffin is involved – just business. Which is why our friends at Notre Dame scoffed at Meyer’s “I’m never going to Notre Dame, ever” comment the other day.

We’ll now put this story on the shelf (but in a visible spot!) until the Irish lose to Michigan or Michigan State and Weis’s head is on the chopping block once again.

Will he leave? Meyer receives permission to speak with Utah (BG Views via Crain’s Cleveland)