few months ago.

"The thing about Urban is if he tells you that he'll do something for you, it's done," Sabatalo said. "He's very loyal."

Though Meyer hasn't kept one promise Sabatalo remembers him making in 1985. Not yet anyway.

"His big goal in life back then was to some day be the head coach of the Cleveland Browns," Sabatalo said. "He was dead serious. He was serious about everything that had to do with the game, about competing and winning. Whatever he did, it was filled with passion and energy. He was definitely going to climb the ladder of success."

Big deal

But Meyer knew there was a pecking order. And, at least in 1985, he never crossed it, Specht said. Not that Meyer didn't want to.

"Urban definitely knew his stuff andFox Sports and SportsTime Ohio, said Bruce was the ultimate mentor for Meyer.

"I can count on one hand who have the intensity and focus and passion of Earle Bruce and Urban Meyer is one of them," Frey said. "Urban takes it to another level."

He took it all the way to the top with stops at Illinois State, Colorado State, Notre Dame, Bowling Green, Utah and Florida, where he won BCS national titles in 2006 and 2008.

His overall head coaching record is 104-23 (.819) and bowl-game mark is 7-1.

He's not a big fan of the press these days - that or he's tremendously busy - as attempts to reach him for this story through Ohio State's Sports Information Department were unsuccessful. Evidently, there's a long line of reporters waiting