Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Monday he intends to coach next year amid rumors he could step down at the end of the season.
"I plan on coaching," Meyer, 54, said at his weekly news conference.
Meyer was pushed on the idea and was asked whether he would definitely be coming back next season, to which he replied yes.
Many have noted Meyer's demeanor on the sideline this season. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said Meyer has looked anguished during games. During Ohio State's 30-14 win over Minnesota on Oct. 13, Meyer seemed to punch the air in anger multiple times, threw off his headset and threw his play sheet in frustration.
ESPN's Paul Finebaum had said that signs seemed to point that Meyer, 54, could retire soon. Finebaum mentioned that through watching Meyer, he sensed his time was coming to an end at Ohio State. He said that Meyer's health could be a precursor to his walking away at the end of the season.
Since Meyer has returned to the sideline, Ohio State has had struggles on defense. The Buckeyes lost 49-20 to Purdue on Oct. 20.
Meyer was suspended three games by the university for not disciplining or firing former assistant coach Zach Smith despite a string of inappropriate behavior, including multiple police investigations of domestic violence accusations made against him.
When Meyer was asked about his health at Monday's news conference, he said he was fine and didn't want people to worry about him. He was pushed on the issue of his sideline demeanor and whether this season has indeed taken its toll on him.
"The games have gotten me for 30 years," Meyer said. "We're not playing well, and I'm one of those guys that I want to help fix the issue, like all coaches do. I'm not sure what anguished means; pissed, upset. When you see some of the things we're doing, it's really uncharacteristic of our teams.
"That might be what it looks like."
In 2009, Meyer took a leave of absence from coaching Florida because of health and family concerns. In 2010, he announced his retirement for the same reasons.