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Urban Meyer issues statement

Urban Meyer released a statement Monday following the resignation of Jim Tressel as Ohio State's coach.

MeyerMeyerIt reads:

I am committed to ESPN and will not pursue any coaching opportunities this fall. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the people at ESPN this spring and remain very excited about my role with the network this fall.

Jim Tressel has been a respected friend and colleague for a long time. I wish Jim and his family the very best now and in the future.

As many are pointing out, Meyer's statement only pertains to this season. His name has been and will continue to be mentioned as a potential replacement candidate at Ohio State, which says it won't look for a permanent head coach until after the 2011 season.

Meyer was born in Toledo, Ohio, attended college at Cincinnati and served as a graduate assistant for Ohio State in 1986-87.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, who played safety at Ohio State, grew up in Youngstown and is being mentioned as another potential candidate to replace Tressel, also issued a statement Monday.

It reads: "Jim Tressel is an outstanding football coach and a good man. I've followed and respected his career since his days at Youngstown State, and through his tremendous success at Ohio State the past decade. He will be missed in college football."