Urban Meyer rips NCAA as 'powerless organization'

The Hall of Fame coach criticized the NCAA's repeated failures in court as players seek eligibility injunctions.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Former college football coach Urban Meyer criticized the NCAA as a "powerless organization" that has repeatedly failed to enforce its own rulings in court. Meyer's comments come as players across the country continue seeking injunctions in state courts to bypass NCAA decisions on eligibility.

Why it matters

Meyer's criticism highlights the growing challenges the NCAA faces in maintaining control over college sports, as players increasingly turn to the legal system to override the governing body's decisions. This trend raises questions about the future of the NCAA's role in regulating college athletics.

The details

Meyer, who won national championships at Florida and Ohio State, said the NCAA has tried to enforce penalties but "litigate, they go to court and they lose" because the organization lacks subpoena power. Recent examples include an Ole Miss quarterback securing a sixth season of eligibility after a Mississippi judge overruled the NCAA, and an Alabama court revoking eligibility for a basketball player while a Tennessee judge denied a quarterback's request for an injunction.

  • In February 2026, Meyer played golf with President Donald Trump, Florida governor Ron DeSantis and former Alabama coach Nick Saban to discuss eligibility, NIL and college sports governance.
  • The NCAA's Football Playing Rules Committee is meeting this week at the NFL Scouting Combine to consider rule changes, including removing the carryover suspension for first-time offenders on second-half targeting penalties.

The players

Urban Meyer

A Hall of Fame college football coach who won national championships at Florida and Ohio State before being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Trinidad Chambliss

The Ole Miss quarterback who secured a sixth season of eligibility after a Mississippi judge overruled the NCAA's decision to deny his waiver request.

Charles Bediako

The Alabama basketball center who had his eligibility revoked by an Alabama court.

Joey Aguilar

The Tennessee quarterback who was denied a preliminary injunction by a Knoxville judge to bypass an NCAA ruling.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“The NCAA, to give them credit, every time they've set a penalty, they've tried to enforce something. 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, Hall of Fame Coach (The Triple Option Podcast)

“The federal government, to me, can't get out of its own way. I think there's a lot of people in this country, bipartisan, that want to see some answers to one of the greatest pastimes in the history of our country, that's college football.”

— Urban Meyer, Hall of Fame Coach (The Triple Option Podcast)

What’s next

The NCAA's Football Playing Rules Committee will consider removing the carryover suspension for first-time offenders on second-half targeting penalties at their meeting this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The takeaway

Meyer's criticism of the NCAA as a "powerless organization" highlights the growing challenges the governing body faces in maintaining control over college sports, as players increasingly turn to the legal system to override NCAA decisions. This trend raises questions about the future role of the NCAA in regulating college athletics.