Urban Meyer not interested in vacant Michigan State job despite rumors

It doesn't seem like Urban Meyer would consider joining Michigan State.

The 59-year-old denied rumors suggesting he was a candidate for the Spartans' vacant head coaching job Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Bruce Feldman.

Meyer also said he has no interest in coaching Michigan State at the moment, adding that he's happy with his current job as an analyst on Fox Sports.

Bernie Fratto of Fox Sports Radio reported Tuesday that Meyer will interview with the Spartans for their vacant job. Fratto stated that Meyer is in East Lansing, Michigan, this week and has "a lot of backers" at Michigan State.

Meyer hasn't coached since a failed stint in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who fired him partway through the 2021 season - his first with the team. Jacksonville went 2-11 with him on the sideline.

As a college football coach, Meyer has posted a career record of 187-32. He's just one of four head coaches to win the national game with two different schools, having done so with Florida (2006 and 2008) and Ohio State (2014). Meyer retired from coaching due to health reasons following the Buckeyes' 2018 season. He was named the Jaguars' head coach in January 2021.

Michigan State officially fired coach Mel Tucker on Sept. 27 amid an ongoing university sexual harassment investigation.

Several candidates have since been linked to the Spartans. Kansas head coach Lance Leipold and Washington State sideline boss Jake Dickert are reportedly among the front-runners.

Michigan State is also expected to consider Duke's Mike Elko, Toledo's Jason Candle, and Kansas State's Chris Klieman, who recently said he'd have no interest in pursuing the job.