Ohio State football: See the first day of 2025 fall camp
Ohio State football’s first day of fall camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Former Ohio State football coaches Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, and John Cooper will participate in a panel discussion at Bowling Green State University.The event takes place on August 28, with limited seating available for BGSU students, Falcon Club donors, and corporate partners.The panel discussion precedes the BGSU Falcons’ season opener against Lafayette, marking the head coaching debut of former Ohio State running back Eddie George for BGSU.
Three former Ohio State University football head coaches will discuss the importance of college football during an event sponsored by Bowling Green State University.
Former head football coaches Urban Meyer, current Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and John Cooper will join Lt. General Richard Clark, the executive director of the College Football Playoff, at BGSU’s panel, “The Significance of College Football in America,” on Aug. 28.
Here’s a look at the participants.
Ohio State head football coaches Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, John Cooper to speak at Bowling Green panel discussion
Urban Meyer, who led the Ohio State Buckeyes for seven seasons from 2012 to 2018 and won a national championship in 2014, began his coaching career at Bowling Green. Meyer is being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. His Buckeyes went 83-9 during his tenure.
Jim Tressel, who has served as the lieutenant governor of Ohio since February 2025, coached the Buckeyes for 10 seasons, from 2001 to 2011. He compiled a 106-22 record and was the third-winningest coach in OSU history, behind Woody Hayes and John Cooper. However, 12 wins were vacated due to NCAA sanctions in response to players selling memorabilia in exchange for cash or tattoos, which was a violation of the association’s rules.
Tressel coached the team to a Bowl Championship Series title in 2002 and joined the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015. He also coached Youngstown State to four national titles at the NCAA Division I-AA level between 1991 and 1997.
John Cooper led OSU to a 111-43-4 record during his 12 years as head coach, from 1988 to 2000 and led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl victory in 1997. He joined the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2012 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
“College football has long been a force that unites people, campuses, and communities across the country,” Derek van der Merwe, BGSU vice president for athletics strategy, said in a statement. “To welcome back some of the most respected leaders in the sport—including those with deep roots here at Bowling Green—is an extraordinary moment for our University and our fans.”
How to attend panel discussion with Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, John Cooper at BGSU
Doors for the panel with Cooper, Meyer and Tressel will open at 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 for BGSU students, Falcon Club donors, and corporate partners. However, seating is limited to the first 300 Falcon Club members and corporate partners who RSVP.
Doors will open for the general public at 1 p.m. for any remaining available seats. The panel begins at 1:30 p.m.
Later in the day, BGSU hosts Lafayette in its 2025 season opener at 6 p.m. The game marks the debut of former OSU running back Eddie George as the Falcons’ head coach.
Heisman Trophy winner, former Buckeye Eddie George now BGSU head coach
Eddie George, the 1995 Heisman Trophy-winning running back who played under Cooper at Ohio State, is in his first season as Bowling Green’s head coach.
He previously coached Tennessee State to a 24-22 record in four seasons, including a 9-4 mark and NCAA Division I playoff berth in 2024.