Urban Meyer isn’t one to mince words, and when it comes to the current state of college football, he let it rip.
On the latest episode of The Triple Option podcast, the former Ohio State head coach weighed in on the recent tampering accusations swirling around Clemson and Ole Miss - and he didn’t stop there. Meyer took aim at the broader dysfunction he sees in the NCAA’s handling of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era, calling out leadership and enforcement - or the lack thereof.
The controversy flared up last week after Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney accused Ole Miss and defensive coordinator Pete Golding of “blatant tampering.” The claim came after linebacker Luke Ferrelli reportedly backed out of an agreement with Clemson and instead transferred to Ole Miss. Swinney’s comments added fuel to an already smoldering fire, as coaches across the country continue to wrestle with what feels like a Wild West version of roster management.
Meyer, who’s no stranger to high-stakes recruiting battles and NCAA scrutiny, wasn’t surprised by the drama. He called it a symptom of a system that’s lost its grip.
“They already started another commission, another enforcement arm for NIL,” Meyer said. “That’s not going to work.
You don’t need more rules. You need to enforce the rules already in place.”
That’s a message Meyer has been consistent on: the issue isn’t the volume of regulations - it’s the absence of real enforcement. And in his eyes, that falls squarely on NCAA president Charlie Baker.
Since taking over, Baker has been at the center of the sport’s most transformative period - one defined by NIL deals, free-flowing transfers, and an evolving power structure. But Meyer isn’t buying the idea that more bureaucracy is the answer. He’s calling for accountability, not committees.
“What the hell are you doing?” Meyer said, imagining a direct conversation with Baker.
“I would love to ask him, just say, ‘Hey, I have a lot of respect and everything, but what are you going to do?’ Can you imagine that answer?”
Baker has spent much of his tenure lobbying Congress for federal legislation that would give the NCAA antitrust protection and clearer authority to regulate NIL and transfers. But so far, those efforts have stalled, leaving college athletics in a legal limbo - and coaches like Swinney and Meyer increasingly frustrated.
For Meyer, the tampering accusations aren’t just about one player or one program. They’re a symptom of a larger issue: a system where rules exist on paper but rarely hold weight in practice.
And that’s the real danger. When enforcement becomes optional, the playing field tilts. Programs with deeper pockets and looser interpretations of the rules can gain an edge, while others are left navigating chaos.
Meyer’s message was clear: college football doesn’t need more policies or panels. It needs leadership that’s willing - and able - to enforce the standards already in place. Until then, expect more headlines like this one.