Urban Development

The record book said Bowling Green was in trouble when Urban Meyer went to interview for the university’s head coaching position in December 2000. The record book said the Falcons hadn’t had a winning season since 1994. The record book said the university had replaced coach Gary Blackney in mid-season that year after nine years on the job and two conference championships. Meyer looked beyond the record book. He looked back in time, to a history and tradition of football success at Bowling Green. He looked around, and saw the need for small changes that could make a big difference. He looked beyond the immediate sense of failure and saw the potential for long-term success. Then Meyer accepted that job and looked straight ahead at the task of rebuilding the Falcons into a winner. He not only got it done, he got it done immediately, transforming a team that went 2-9 in 2000 into 8-3 in