Saturday, December 26, 2009

Florida Coach Urban Meyer Resigns

This is truly a bombshell. Citing health reasons, Meyer, 45, said he will be stepping down as the University of Florida's head football coach after the January 1 Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati. We certainly hope Meyer's health issues are not life-threatening, and that his time away from coaching will be rejuvenating. I also hope that this is in fact the reason. While it is certainly crass to speculate and not take Meyer at his word, we've all been to this rodeo where public figures disappear for "health and family reasons."

Besides the Gators themselves, one would have to think that the biggest loser in all this (except perhaps Meyer himself) would be former defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, who left Florida at the beginning of the month to take over the Louisville program. The speculation has already begun as to who Meyer's replacement will be. I'd put my money on Boise State's Chris Petersen, but don't be at all surprised if many in Gator Nation don't clamour for a second-act of The Ol' Ball Coach.

What do you think? Who would/should/will be on the Gators' list?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

There's always Bobby Petrino. God knows he's willing to leave at the drop of a dime for anything better than what he has.

Anonymous said...

There's always Bobby Petrino. God knows he's willing to leave at the drop of a dime for anything better than what he has.

Anonymous said...

Bobby Stoops is the man. He has Gainesville roots and loves St. Augustine beach...still has a condo there. Don't be surprised.

Anonymous said...

You do know St. Augustine is on the opposite side of the state from gainesville right? That argument would be more sound if he were looking at a job in georgia or south carolina and not gainesville.

Hiretedcain.com said...

Ted Cain is the man in waiting. UF is intrigued why a SEC school is so tied to man that they ignore the pleas of their fans to make a change. He'll come in with zero expectations and they'll use him as the scapegoat like all good SEC Football programs would when the team is impressively underwhelming.

Sol Blake said...

In other news... Andy Katz has a non-conference season review and ranks Vandy as the most disappointing team so far. Not sure I completely disagree based on the way we've played even when we've won. Hopefully this time off gets us retooled.

Here is a link to the story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=4766481

Anonymous said...

Urban Meyer's cover story has more holes than Tiger's initial post-Thanksgiving "statement."
-First out, then "on leave."
-Chest pains, but his "heart is healthy" after "extensive tests."
-And the dead giveaway: Multiple references to "spending time with his family."