Urban Meyer is stepping down as head coach of the Florida

[tripsgirl]

No details yet but espn just reported it...

[Fletch]

University of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer announced that he is stepping down for health reasons, the school announced this evening.

"I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program," said Meyer. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family.

"After consulting with my family, Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family.

"I’m proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation and I plan to remain in Gainesville and involved with the University of Florida.

"I’m very appreciative for the opportunity I’ve had to be a part of a tremendous institution – from Dr. Machen to Jeremy Foley and the entire administrative staff at UF. I’m also very thankful for the chance to work with some of the best assistants in college football and coach some of the best college football players and watch them grow both on and off the field as people. I will cherish the relationships with them the most."

Meyer will coach the Gators in the Sugar Bowl match-up against Cincinnati on January 1.

Meyer is 95-18 in his nine years as a college head coach, and is 56-10 at the University of Florida, where he's coached since 2003. Meyer has coached the Gators to two National Championships (2006, 2008) and has been named National Coach of the Year three times.

[Skate4RnR]

Well shit! He's always seemed pretty cool. It's hard to see coaches like him go.

[NickasInSaltLick]

I'll never forget what he did here in Salt Lick while he was coaching the Utes. Made it fun again and seemed to pull this city out of lethargy. While I hoped he wouldn't leave, I certainly understood his decision. I'll root for him wherever he ends up.

[Skate4RnR]

Hey, we'll take him at Kansas!

[thejuggernaut]

Sucks as a Florida fan, but understandable as it's an ulcer inducing job.

As schlub sitting at home playing armchair QB, here is my shortlist, in no particular order and hoping Foley learned from the Zook fiasco, and using a criteria of getting someone young enough to possibly put in 10 years at Florida and being able to handle the ridiculous expectations:

Gus Malzahn - Another offensive innovator, which is what Florida loves, and a great recruiter.

Dan Mullen - he helped recruit most of Florida's players. It's his system and it was clear watching them this year how much Mullen was missed. Plus, this would be a "destination job" and he's young enough to put in 20 years.

Kyle Whittingham - a little older than I'd like, but clearly a great coach and recruiter and is still running Meyer's system. Imagine what he could do in a talent rich region like the southeast without having to send players on 2 year missions?? Plus, Florida's President, Bernie Machen, was president at Utah which helped land Meyer in the first place.

Kevin Sumlin - clearly a great offensive mind. Florida would be a job he'd never pass up and he'd probably stay 10 years. Plus, imagine his offense with southeastern recruits ?

Bob Stoops - yep, absolutely. He made his name at Florida. He's young enough to put in a good stretch. He does a pretty darn good job having to recruit out of state; imagine what he could do in a football hotbed as his home state ? Plus he likes to run an up tempo offense.

Mike Leach - just the kind of wingnut that could work at Florida. He has done well in Lubbock, and had decent success at Kentucky with that offense, so one only wonders what he could do with the kinds of recruits he'd get at Florida.

Will Muschamp - perhaps he might not want to wait around for Mack Brown to step down. Has much SEC experience in coaching and recruiting. Plus, he cut his teeth under Saban and, since Bama is now the power in the west, might not be a bad idea to get someone who's proven to be able to beat Saban.

Jon Gruden - Knows pressure all too well. Still extremely young. Lives in Florida already and loves it there. Plus, it would be almost nostalgic in the sense that it would be The Visor V 2.0.

[tripsgirl]

Ha we got some flip flopping going on...

Urban Meyer is reconsidering and will now likely take an indefinite leave of absence instead of resigning as Florida's football coach, a source tells Mike Freeman. Multiple media sources say offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will be interim head coach.

[Skate4RnR]

Ha we got some flip flopping going on...

Urban Meyer is reconsidering and will now likely take an indefinite leave of absence instead of resigning as Florida's football coach, a source tells Mike Freeman. Multiple media sources say offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will be interim head coach.

Florida don't wanna lose him and rightfully so. That's cool that he can come back if it's right.

[ParaDime77]

Seems like Urban Meyer has a litle case of Billy Donovan syndrome goin' on here.

[thejuggernaut]

Seems like 2 things:

1. Get the media off his team's back about whether they'd show up vs Cincy or mail it in.

2. After losing assistants, a good way to convince the Prez he needs to delegate so raises should be in store for his assistants.

[tripsgirl]

Again?!?

http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/1 ... -angry-sy/

[Goddamn Electric]

Again?!?

http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010/1 ... -angry-sy/

Meyer is a front-running sonofabitch who realizes that Florida is gonna be in a major rebuilding mode for the next 3-4 years. He knows he'll never find another Tim "Jesus Crispie" Tebow, so he's taking his fucking ball and going home.

Meyer: "WAAAH! 7-5 is terrible! I don't wanna rebuild! I quit!".

You watch. He'll be back at another major college football giant in a couple of years...I guarantee it. Fucking crybaby quitter.

[Anne_Thrax]

Can I still drink Bourbon Meyers? Those are delicious.

[WTF]

In related news, Urban Meyer has been spotted consulting with Bert Favor.

[LAglamrocker]

he gave up 20 million to watch his kids plays sports..no pressure for them

"I stayed home to watch you lose again, that cost me $300,000. now go practice!"

[tripsgirl]

BREAKING NEWS

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp reportedly takes Florida's coaching job.

Thats what cbs sports says...
Have no clue who this guy is...

[johnk5150]

No one walks away from that kind of money to watch girls volleyball. Major sanctions will be announced soon ala Pete Caroll.