Urban Meyer calls NCAA 'powerless' amid wave of court losses

The FOX Sports analyst is calling for reform of the college sports governing body.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Urban Meyer, the former college football coach who won national titles at Florida and Ohio State, believes the NCAA is losing its grip on college athletics enforcement following a wave of court decisions that have challenged the organization's authority. Meyer said the NCAA has repeatedly failed to defend its rulings in court as college athletes increasingly seek injunctions in state courts to extend eligibility.

Why it matters

Meyer's comments highlight the growing concerns about the NCAA's ability to effectively govern college sports, as the organization faces increasing legal challenges from student-athletes seeking to overturn its decisions. This could have significant implications for the future of college athletics and the role of the NCAA.

The details

During a recent podcast, Meyer said the NCAA 'litigate, they go to court and they lose,' and that the organization 'don't have subpoena power' and are 'a powerless organization right now.' He cited examples of court rulings that have gone against the NCAA, such as an Ole Miss quarterback securing a Mississippi injunction granting him a sixth season after the NCAA denied his waiver request. Meyer also addressed the potential for federal involvement in regulating name, image and likeness and eligibility issues, expressing skepticism about government oversight.

  • On February 22, 2026, Urban Meyer made these comments on the 'The Triple Option' podcast.

The players

Urban Meyer

A former college football coach who won national titles at Florida and Ohio State, and is currently a FOX Sports analyst.

Trinidad Chambliss

An Ole Miss quarterback who secured a Mississippi injunction granting him a sixth season after the NCAA denied his waiver request.

Charles Bediako

An Alabama basketball center whose eligibility was revoked by a court.

Joey Aguilar

A Tennessee quarterback who was denied a preliminary injunction by a Knoxville judge.

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What they’re saying

“They litigate, they go to court and they lose. There is some empathy to understand they don't have subpoena power. They're a powerless organization right now.”

— Urban Meyer, FOX Sports Analyst (The Triple Option* podcast)

What’s next

Meyer recently golfed with Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former Alabama coach Nick Saban to discuss the future of college sports governance, indicating that potential federal involvement in regulating college athletics is an ongoing discussion.

The takeaway

Meyer's comments underscore the growing challenges facing the NCAA as it struggles to maintain its authority in the face of legal challenges from student-athletes. This could lead to significant changes in the governance and regulation of college sports, with the potential for increased federal involvement or a shift towards a more decentralized system.