Urban Meyer has once again ignited controversy among BYU football supporters with a statement. Meyer, who led the Utah football program in the early 2000s, is not currently coaching, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to stir the pot.
Meyer has a track record of such comments regarding the fierce “Holy War” BYU-Utah rivalry, a contest that strongly shapes fan behavior and the surrounding sports culture in the “Beehive State.”
Urban Meyer’s Latest BYU Remark Draws Ire from Cougar Fans
Urban Meyer once again stirred strong reactions from BYU supporters during an appearance on the “Barstool College Football Show.”
Discussing his experience with BYU fans while coaching Utah, Meyer recalled, “The BYU people, I remember going, you’re not supposed to talk like that, man. It’s nasty. It’s nasty. I think the Holy War is going to be one of the best rivalries we got going.”
He expressed amazement at how the Cougar fanbase treated him during his tenure at Utah.
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Fans quickly responded on social media. One wrote, “How did BYU even get brought up?” Another quipped, “You’re also supposed to fly back with your football team and not go to a bar instead,” while a third added, “Aren’t they playing Texas Tech today. Seems like someone lives in their heads.”
“You’re also not supposed to assault your players during warm-ups,” a fan remarked, referring to an incident Meyer had as the head coach of the Jaguars when he reportedly kicked a player.
Meyer’s complicated relationship with BYU fans dates back to his time at Utah. In 2003 and 2004, he compiled a 22-2 record, achieving national prominence and fueling resentment among Cougar supporters.
His career began at Bowling Green, where he went 17-6 in two seasons, including a 3-0 record against BCS teams in 2001. He then propelled Utah to national prominence before capturing two titles at Florida and another at Ohio State.
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During his two seasons at Utah, Meyer quickly cemented his place in program history. In 2003, his first year, he was named Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Utes to a 10-2 record, the best first-year performance for a Utah head coach.
Utah won the Mountain West Championship both in 2003 and 2004, behind quarterback Alex Smith. In 2004, Meyer guided Utah to a perfect 12-0 season and a Fiesta Bowl victory over Pittsburgh, marking the first time a team from a non-automatically qualifying BCS conference earned a BCS bowl bid.
Meyer’s offense relied on a West Coast-style system, emphasizing short passes, and helped establish the Utes as a national powerhouse before he moved on to Florida, where he won two national championships.
