Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer Endorses Gov. John Kasich

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president of the United States less than a week before the state votes in its key presidential primaries.

"Go win this darn thing," Meyer tells Kasich in a video message announcing the endorsement.

The state of Ohio is considered a last hope for Kasich, a Republican candidate who trails front-runner Donald Trump by more than 400 pledged delegates.

Ohio has 66 delegates up for grabs in its all-or-nothing primary. A Kasich win would also deny Trump crucial delegates he needs to reach the 1,237 simple majority before the GOP convention in Cleveland.

Meyer had previously said that he would not be making a presidential endorsement.

“No, my job description is very clear, and that’s to coach Ohio State football, and the focus is on 17- to 18- to 22-year-olds,” Meyer told the Blade last month. “I have strong beliefs, but I’m not going to share that with you guys. I don’t think that’s appropriate.”

It's unclear what exactly changed Meyer's mind.

At a rally Tuesday in Columbus, Trump said of Meyer, "I don't know if he endorses me or not, but he's said awful nice things about me."

Meyer had previously declined to comment on Trump's statements before Thursday's endorsement.

Watch the endorsement video below:

Image via Gage Skidmore, Flickr, used under Creative Commons