I just got XM a few months ago and listen to Bill King on the way to work. He has always (for my few months) referred to Urban as the Pontiff which I kind of chuckled at but didn't really think about. Today he called him Ashtabula Jesus.
Does anyone know the background on this? He seems to always be positive about what Urban has done but I can't tell if these names are mocking, praising or other towards Urban. Is it some kind of ND reference? I couldn't find much on google either.
I listen to Bill King on the way to work as well on Sirius/XM. I think calling Meyer the Pontiff is a reference to his being Catholic. He says similar things about Saban. Not sure I understand completely though.
Eventhough his show is centered more around the south and the SEC, he generally seems unbiased and fairly reasonable about his opinions. Also, there is enough national content that I really like the show. It is by far the best "national" college football radio show out there. If you want to check it out online, you can get it for free (have to register, not pay) at www.billisking.com
I agree that he is pretty unbiased. He is somewhat repetitive, but I would be too if I had to fill 3 hours of airtime during the offseason.
Calling Urban the Pontiff is referring to his Catholic upbringing (attened St. John High School). The Ashtabula Jesus is in reference to him being from Ashtabula Ohio. Nothing negative here.
Big Daddy
I listen to him every morning and I can tell you this, Bill King does not care for Urban Meyer and he brings it up from time to time. I have never gotten the skinny as to why he doesn't care for him but Bill makes no bones about it. FWIW though, he always gives Urban his due and says that "Saban and Alabama are on a crash course to meet Urban and the Buckeyes sooner rather than later and that he cannot wait to see that game!" Simply put, Bill doesn't like Urban but he respects his abilities as a coach...
"You're pissed because we went after a committed guy? Guess what, we got nine guys who better go do it again. Do it a little harder next time." -- Urban Frank Meyer -- I LOVE THIS DUDE!! :)
I think there are quite a few people out there who don't much care for Urban for various reasons. I don't know the Urban the man so I can't comment on that, but I love him as a coach. It's nice to hear that a guy like King can separate personal feelings from his opinions about Urban the coach.
Yeah, Bill is pretty honest about his feelings. Yet unbiased. I really like listening to his show in the mornings when I can...
There have been several Popes (or Pontiffs, if you will) that have been called Urban. Hence the nickname "The Pontiff". At least, that's MY take.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Urban_II
Ditto my read.
Wow, did not know that. Not only is 11W awesome but it's educmacational :-P
"Sherman ran an option play right through the south" - Greatest.Civil.War.Analogy.Ever
Did not know that... Awesome info..
I lived in Ashtabula for a while. Could be viewed as an insult, though I made some awesome friends living there. It's a blue-collar town with a lot of pride though is down on its luck. Who isn't these days? I can tell you Coach Meyer has very little to do with the town now so not sure what to think of it. Depends on how cynical you are vs. the glass being half full or whatever.
"Sherman ran an option play right through the south" - Greatest.Civil.War.Analogy.Ever
Bill King has a great radio voice.
IBLEEDSCARLETANDGRAY
You could have not made a more incorrect statement when you stated "I can tell you coach meyer has very little to do with the town now so not sure what to think of it". I grew up in Ashtabula (your description is correct) and competed with Urban not only on the football field but on the baseball diamond also.
In the last year Urban has done the following in Ashtabula:
Spoke at the annual High School Touch Down Club dinner, attended his 30 year high school reunion, joined with two Division III coaches (also hail from Ashtabula) to put on a two day youth football clinic and returned for the funeral of a local sportscaster with whom Urban had a great relationship.
Please be sure of your facts before you post comments.
Big Daddy
To me it is a veiled insult. Being Catholic myself hearing anyone called Pontiff or Ashtabula Jesus would make me not like the insulter. If Urbz was Jewish I doubt King would call him the Ashtabula Moses. And Lord knows there would be no "nickname" if he was Muslim. Calling him Pontiff, with or without having Pope Urbans is an insult, plain and simple.
I grew up Catholic, but wouldn't have taken offense to it. I don't take offense to much though. I agree with the Jewish and Muslim claims though.