Ron Meyer

Ron Meyer
Name	Ron Meyer
Birth date	21 June 1941
Birth place	Fort Knox, Kentucky
Occupation	American football coach
Years active	1964–1999

Ron Meyer

Ronald Charles Meyer (born June 21, 1941) is a retired American football coach known for his head coaching tenures at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), the University of Southern California? (note: do not include USC), the New England Patriots and the Las Vegas Posse. He built programs through aggressive schemes and charismatic leadership, guiding teams in the National Football League (NFL), the Canadian Football League (CFL), and college football. Meyer is recognized for leading the Patriots to multiple playoff appearances and for turning UNLV into a nationally relevant program.

Early life and education

Meyer was born at Fort Knox, Kentucky and raised in Hammond, Indiana and Whiting, Indiana. He attended Whiting High School where he played high school football and basketball, earning local recognition. Meyer enrolled at University of Nevada, Reno before transferring to University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) to complete his education and begin his coaching trajectory. His formative years were shaped by regional rivalries in the Mid-American Conference and the rising prominence of West Coast football.

College and playing career

Meyer played college football as a tight end and linebacker at University of Nevada, Las Vegas under coaches who emphasized a pro-style offense and aggressive defense. During his playing career he competed against programs such as Brigham Young University, University of Arizona, and California State University, Long Beach which helped him develop contacts across the Pacific Coast Athletic Association. After graduation he moved quickly into coaching, first as a graduate assistant and position coach at regional institutions including Indiana University and smaller midwestern programs, learning from established figures in college coaching circles.

Coaching career

Meyer's first prominent head coaching job came at University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he succeeded previous staff and implemented a high-octane offense and disciplined defense. At UNLV he recruited players from California, Arizona, and Texas, and scheduled nonconference games with teams like University of California, Los Angeles and University of Oregon to raise the program's profile. His success at UNLV led to his hiring by the New England Patriots of the National Football League in the early 1980s. With the Patriots he orchestrated playoff berths and developed NFL talents who emerged from the NFL Draft, competing against franchises such as the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Buffalo Bills in the AFC East.

After his Patriots tenure Meyer briefly returned to college coaching before a stint in the Canadian Football League where he coached the Las Vegas Posse during the CFL's U.S. expansion experiment, facing teams like the Baltimore Stallions and Sacramento Gold Miners. He later served in assistant and head coaching positions with other professional teams, working within organizational structures that included general managers, scouting departments, and player personnel directors formerly associated with franchises like the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. Throughout his career Meyer was known for scheming against coaches from the Bill Parcells coaching tree and adapting tactics used by innovators from the Don Shula and Tom Landry eras.

Broadcasting and media work

Following his on-field career Meyer transitioned into broadcasting and media, appearing on regional and national sports networks including ESPN, NBC Sports, and local Las Vegas outlets. He provided analysis on NFL and college football matchups, contributing to studio shows, radio broadcasts on stations affiliated with corporate media groups, and guest commentary during Super Bowl preview segments. Meyer also participated in panel discussions with former coaches and players from teams like the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Dallas Cowboys, offering insights into coaching strategy, player evaluation, and the draft process.

Personal life and legacy

Meyer married and raised a family in Nevada and has been active in community initiatives in the Las Vegas Valley, working with local charities and youth football programs associated with high schools such as Bishop Gorman High School and organizations tied to the Las Vegas Bowl. His legacy includes coaching proteges who went on to positions with NFL teams and colleges, contributing to coaching trees connected to the NFL Coaches Association and various collegiate conferences. Meyer has been the subject of profiles in sports history works that examine the evolution of coaching styles from the 1970s through the 1990s, situating his career alongside contemporaries like Bill Belichick, Jimmy Johnson, and Bill Parcells.

Category:1941 births Category:Living people Category:American football coaches Category:New England Patriots head coaches Category:UNLV Rebels football coaches