Ohio State coach Urban Meyer abruptly announced his retirement Tuesday, citing health concerns and a difficult year that included a three-game suspension over his handling of domestic violence allegations against a now-fired assistant coach. He will step down after the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
Meyer is leaving at the top of his profession after three national championships in a career spanning three decades, the past seven years at Ohio State, where he has an 82-9 record. The 54-year-old Meyer has an arachnoid cyst in his brain that causes severe headaches, and he had shown obvious effects of being in pain on the sideline this season.
At a packed news conference, Meyer explained that the headaches became severe last season during Ohio State's game at Penn State and have become a persistent problem this season. But he didn't blame only his health for stepping away. Meyer said he believed he could no longer coach the way he has from the early days at Bowling Green to Utah, Florida and, finally, with the Buckeyes.
Meyer said leaving would have been more difficult if the program wasn't healthy. The Buckeyes are 12-1 after winning the Big Ten championship, and Meyer said he felt good about his replacement: Assistant coach Ryan Day will take over as the 25th coach of the storied program.
... Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley has agreed in principle to be Maryland's next coach. Locksley has twice worked as an assistant on the Terrapins' staff. He coached running backs from 1997 to 2002, and was offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2015.
around the horn
NFL: Prosecutors say former NFL cornerback Brandon Browner was sentenced to eight years in prison for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend. ... Steelers running back James Conner, who is dealing with a sprained left ankle, will not play Sunday against the Raiders. ... The Bills cut receiver Kelvin Benjamin. ... -- The Packers parted ways with Winston Moss, the associate head coach in charge of linebackers and a 13-year veteran of the staff.
MLB: All-Star pitcher Patrick Corbin reportedly agreed to a six-year contract with the Nationals. The lefthander went 11-7 with a 3.15 ERA while pitching 200 innings for the second time in his career.
Auto racing: Kurt Busch and sponsor Monster Energy will move from Stewart-Haas Racing to Chip Ganassi Racing next season for Busch's 20th season in NASCAR.
