2009 season took its toll on Meyer
Little surprises me any more but I was stunned tonight to learn that Urban Meyer would resign as the head coach at Florida after the Sugar Bowl.
It was widely known in the football community that this season was a very stressful one for Meyer, who is only 45. The pressure of defending the national championship, being No. 1 for the entire season, and various off the field problems eventually took their toll on Meyer.
There was the Tim Tebow concussion and the constant second-guessing that came with his decision to let Tebow play against LSU.
Then came the Brandon Spikes eye-gouging incident against Georgia. Meyer originally suspended Spikes for only one half and was hit with a storm of national media criticism. Spikes later “asked” that his suspension extended to a full game and even that decision was met with skepticism.
He was fined $30,000 by the SEC office for commenting on officiating.
And finally there was the worst incident of all when defensive end Carlos Dunlap was arrested on an alcohol related incident on the Monday before the SEC championship game. Meyer never said this publicly but it was the worst kind of betrayal by a player on the eve of the biggest game of the year. Florida would not have beaten Alabama even if Dunlap had played. But the Gators got embarrassed and seemed shell shocked.
Put it all together and you can understand what may have led Meyer to this decision. There are health issues involved here but none of us knew it was this serious. I spoke to several people close to the Florida program Saturday night and they were just stunned.
I visited with Meyer before the SEC championship game on Dec. 5 and thought he looked thin. In the post-game press conference after the loss to Alabama, he looked drained. He was admitted to the hospital for what the school said was dehydration. Several people told me they heard it was more serious.
Regardless of the school you support, this is sad. The man is a helluva football coach.
And now the dominoes start to fall. Who does Florida hire? Jeremy Foley has to pick up the phone and call Bob Stoops of Oklahoma and make him say no. And if Stoops says no, where does Florida go next? Do you call Dan Mullen, who just left Florida to take over at Mississippi State? There is no question that Florida’s offense lost something when Mullen left Gainesville.
All I know is that this is one of those big moments in the history of the SEC which can change the power structure of the league. I remember the day in January of 2002 when Steve Spurrier announced he was leaving Florida after 12 seasons. We were all stunned. This feels a lot like that.
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Urban Meyer Out at Florida (merged) - Page 31 - VolNation
December 26th, 2009
9:17 pm
[...] Little surprises me any more but I was stunned tonight to learn that Urban Meyer would resign as the head coach at Florida after the Sugar Bowl. It was widely known in the football community that this season was a very stressful one for Meyer, who is only 45. The pressure of defending the national championship, being No. 1 for the entire season, and various off the field problems eventually took their toll on Meyer. There was the Tim Tebow concussion and the constant second-guessing that came with his decision to let Tebow play against LSU. Then came the Brandon Spikes eye-gouging incident against Georgia. Meyer originally suspended Spikes for only one half and was hit with a storm of national media criticism. Spikes later “asked” that his suspension extended to a full game and even that decision was met with skepticism. He was fined $30,000 by the SEC office for commenting on officiating. And finally there was the worst incident of all when defensive end Carlos Dunlap was arrested on an alcohol related incident on the Monday before the SEC championship game. Meyer never said this publicly but it was the worst kind of betrayal by a player on the eve of the biggest game of the year. Florida would not have beaten Alabama even if Dunlap had played. But the Gators got embarrassed and seemed shell shocked. ……… 2009 season took its toll on Meyer | Mr. College Football [...]
Tim
December 26th, 2009
9:19 pm
As a UGA fan, I always loved rooting against Coach Meyer and the Gators….I would get mad when they would succeed. In fact, I think he always knew they would be successful. As a DAWG fan, I will not miss this a bit, but as a sports fan, I will miss this dearly….Get well soon Coach Meyer. You are best coach I’ve seen in a while.
KR
December 26th, 2009
9:19 pm
It just goes to show that the job of head coach is far more involved than simply knowing the X’s and O’s of the sport. I wish Urban Meyer the best of health and that his issues are addressed quickly.
I can’t say I am too surprised, as watching him during the SEC Championship Game I got the sense that he wouldn’t be at Florida in 2010. But I really thought he was going to Notre Dame.
Stubby
December 26th, 2009
9:21 pm
May the SEC rest in peace
Athens Dawg
December 26th, 2009
9:33 pm
Good luck, Coach. You’re one of the better ones we’ve seen in the SEC. I was looking forward to your post Tebow results. Now I look forward to positive results from your medical future. I am a huge Dawg and season tickets holder for 30 years…believe me, health trumps sports.
My bet is Stoops, Mullen, or the guy at Utah, Willingham I believe is his name.
Not Disappointed
December 26th, 2009
9:47 pm
Get better soon Urban. You are a Helluva Coach.
Ramblin Wreck for Life!
Why did Meyer quit?
December 26th, 2009
9:52 pm
NY Times says Florida’s spokeperson says it’s not any kind of life threatening illness. He just wants to hang out with his family more, and work less hours. Meyer was an SEC Head Coach sprinter, Richt is an SEC Head Coach marathoner. Two different types of coaches.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/sports/ncaafootball/27florida.html
flagboy?
December 26th, 2009
9:52 pm
Just underlines how high pressure the job is.
get well.
Dawg'em out!
December 26th, 2009
10:00 pm
K.wittingham or Dan Mullen, will get the job IMO.
A Big Fan
December 26th, 2009
10:01 pm
…Forget about Spurrier. Give Nick Saban whatever it takes to get him on board. Yeah, Baby!
Bucks County Nole
December 26th, 2009
10:01 pm
Urban was a class act. Sorry to see his career end this way. This from a Seminoles Fan.
D
December 26th, 2009
10:09 pm
Go to he**.. College Ball Fan! The VAST majority of Dawgs on here have done nothing but say that they wish Meyer the best. Despite the fact that he acts like a total a** half the time and refuses to shake hands with any coach he loses to, most GA fans on this blog have said nothing derrogatory and only said they hope for the best for the man. The sad fact is that if Richt was stepping down, the classless Gator fans would be talking trash like they do 365 days a year, so let’s not act like anyone should be offended here, ESPECIALLY Florida fans!!!
Nachos
December 26th, 2009
10:09 pm
Sad to hear Urban is leaving the SEC, he will be missed. Hoping for the best for him and his family.
Mr. Negative77
December 26th, 2009
10:15 pm
I knew he would go this year. Knowing that no Teabowl, OC quited, all SEC foes licking their chops. EVERY team will play FU just like play Nord Tre Damn. Don’t blame him leaving before the real Urban exposed. And don’t give me the BS bad health stuff, shoot! only 45, no cow-liked athelete to ‘use’ that’s more like it.
KNelson
December 26th, 2009
10:17 pm
Typical Georgia ! You fans are the biggest Homers on earth. Lets see if Tebow is gone and Meyer gone we can kick some tail ! Wanna know the difference between you and even Tennessee fans? Class. Read the govols blog ! Nearly all of them are saying It sure would be nice to beat UF with Meyer. Not looking for the easy way in like dog fans. You people are classless. With or without Meyer you lose. You were not winning before he got there it wont change after.
Timmy
December 26th, 2009
10:17 pm
Urban, sorry about not telling you about the herpies.
Dawg'em out!
December 26th, 2009
10:18 pm
He got burnt out fast,lol.
Bobby Petrino
December 26th, 2009
10:21 pm
hey i can catch a ride for an interview tonight jeremy
Sick of It
December 26th, 2009
10:23 pm
Hey Fan, get yer head outta that stinky dark tunnel.
Fan
December 26th, 2009
10:23 pm
A blog full of classless morons. Timmy, your prefernece for men is distatesteful, but it is your business. Just discuss it elsewhere not here. And Mr. Negative, you talk like you just had a stroke or something. Better see a neurologist.
Fan
December 26th, 2009
10:24 pm
Of course, I can’t type distasteful or preference either……
UGAFan
December 26th, 2009
10:24 pm
Wow! Good luck to Urban. Hope you get the time and rest you need to improve your health.
Jayson
December 26th, 2009
10:25 pm
Tony,
Thank you for the report. I feel I have the pulse of what went on with the Coach, thanks to you. I am not in the South at the moment and definitely miss the “local SEC buzz”. I was so glad to see your take on this issue. Although I am a Dawg fan, I just want to thank the Coach for being a class act, for what he thought was the right thing to do i.e. be there for his family. His contributions have made our conference the best in our nation and I want to thank him for that. Wish him and his family all the nest in the world.
Fan
December 26th, 2009
10:27 pm
Wow “Sick of It.” That really was thought provoking. Why are you so upset? Let’s talk football, not hurl insults.
Sick of It
December 26th, 2009
10:28 pm
Awww, I’m sooo sowwy everybody’s bein’ so MEAN. LOL You act like Mother Teresa just passed. A college football coach retired due to health problems. Big deal. I don’t wish the man ill will, and I wish he would stay so we could beat his tail a few years in a row, but that isn’t the case. And if you’re wanting people to be nice to Florida fans, you’re going to have a long wait.
gainesville tiger
December 26th, 2009
10:28 pm
im as big a college fb fan as anyone. im absolutely a gator hater. however, anyone that spouts off classless comments about a man’s health needs a shot of karma. this is a man’s life we are talking about. i dont know urban meyer, but i wish him the best. there are bigger things than football. whats next for you classless bloggers? you gonna cut some jokes about cancer or gene stalling’s son? grow up!
Sick of It
December 26th, 2009
10:28 pm
Says the man that called everyone classless and morons, LOL
KJ
December 26th, 2009
10:32 pm
“Read the govols blog”
Nobody here gives a $hit what happens on the govols blog. Maybe you should go there, and never come back. We’ll all be better off for it.
Felix the Cat
December 26th, 2009
10:32 pm
Gator.Gator.. What is it……Big ole lizard full of !@#$………..with a heart ailment
Sick of It
December 26th, 2009
10:32 pm
AND made fun of stroke patients. Nice one, Fan. Real classy.
Buckhead Bulldog
December 26th, 2009
10:33 pm
Good luck to Urban and his family! Such a fierce competitor doesn’t just resign from one of the top 5 programs in the country for the hell of it. I hope the best for Coach Meyer.
I know other fans will get PO for me saying this, but when he called those time outs against UGA last year, I thought it was a just move for Richt’s shenanigans the year before…pay back! Even being a UGA Alum, and die hard fan for 35 years I laughed when UM pulled that one. Touché Coach Meyer….touché!
Good luck Gator fans! With all of that talent rich state, you all will be fine with whomever AD Foley hires. I’m pretty sure the Gators are in pretty darn good hands with Foley.
Sic’em Dogs
Luke
December 26th, 2009
10:37 pm
From a Georgia alum/fan, I wish Urban Meyer the best. Never want to see that anywhere in sports or life for that matter.
Mr. Negative77
December 26th, 2009
10:42 pm
How bout Sook and my Willy for you!
Johnny DangerDawg
December 26th, 2009
10:47 pm
The Grinch,
I agree with your sentiments. Also, props to you for providing important info that Tony Barnhart did not have. It’s kinda sad that Tony gets paid the big bucks and can’t even offer as much info as a blogger who doesn’t work for CBS or the AJC.
Gen Neyland
December 26th, 2009
11:35 pm
Wake up calls happen to us all. Do we heed the tap on the window or get up and keep plowing..? I don’t know all the details other than what’s reported and I’ll say half of that I don’t believe, but what I will say is I wish him well.
GET REAL
December 26th, 2009
11:46 pm
FAN:
Have you ever read these BLOGS? Gators are the biggest SMACK TALKERS around. “Sick of it” is only adding to the age old addage “what goes around, comes around. Anyone who uses word word infantile on a football BLOG probably know this word real well, since they hear it from their mama every time the leave the basement—- the fry cook. the hamger flipper, my schools academics a better than yours, you have a mullet, “your always drinking beer” (still have not figured that one out) and the list goes on an on-FAN you are weak!
GET REAL
December 26th, 2009
11:48 pm
Oh ya, stop laughing and use spell check!
Top Dawg
December 26th, 2009
11:52 pm
I wish him the best.
jumbeauxtiger
December 26th, 2009
11:52 pm
For what he did at Florida I think Meyer is arguably the best college caoch since Bear Bryant. I hate to see him leave this way and wish him the best.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
dude, i'm just sayin'
December 26th, 2009
11:53 pm
i wish coach meyer no harm. i’m just glad to see him gone.
just respect.
nothin’ else.
i hope he lives to be 100.
however, GOOD RIDDANCE.
BULLDAWG BILL
December 26th, 2009
11:53 pm
I DON’T LIKE THE SOB EVEN IF HE IS SICK. I THINK HE IS A MENTAL CASE AND CAN’T STAND TO THINK OF GETTING HIS ASS KICKED BY THE REST OF THE SEC WHEN HIS CURRENT DEFENSE, DEFENSE COACH, AND OFFENSE STAR LEAVE. HIS CALLING TIME OUTS TO RUN UP THE SCORE AGAINST UGA AND EVERYIONE ELSE SHOWS HE IS A LOW CLASS YANKEE. GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!!
BuLLdawg
December 26th, 2009
11:59 pm
Brian Kelly.
Dan Mullen.
Charlie Strong.
Steve Spurrier.
Nick Saban.
Bob Stoops.
Tim Tebow.
Mark Richt.
Bobby Petrino.
Will Muschamp.
it's over.
December 27th, 2009
12:07 am
na na na na
na na na na
hey hey hey
goodbye…
c ya. wouldn’t want to be ya.
jumbeauxtiger
December 27th, 2009
12:09 am
I don’t see Stoops taking this job. Huge shoes to fill and he has a good thing going at OU.
Whoever is the next head coach will be under enormous pressure.
jumbeauxtiger
December 27th, 2009
12:16 am
My belated Christmas wish would be for Foley to hire Miles and let us go get Gruden.
We couldn’t be that lucky
atlcubsfan
December 27th, 2009
12:21 am
Stoops ain’t going to UFla. Oklahoma is one of the finest and proudest programs in the history of college football. Florida didn’t even win an SEC championship until 1991 (forget the vacated “win” in 1984), even though they were a charter member in 1933. OU had won six NATIONAL titles by 1991. Even Miss State and UK had won SEC football titles by 1950. Sure, Stoops coached in Gainesville under Spurrier, but Oklahoma is a better gig. It’s a smaller state population-wise, and OU football means more there (there are only three D-1 programs in-state- not like seven in Fla). Yes, they have to recruit Texas players at OU, and UF is safe to just recruit it’s own state, though it recruits nationally. Stoops ain’t leaving OU, though. That’s kooky talk, as Kramer once said. The other guys (Patterson, Peterson, Mullen, etc.) are open game and are probably in the mix. No other big name coach from a big school is coming to UF, though. They sucked in football until 1991, and although they’ve had a run since then, the workload/pressure has driven two coaches (Spurrier and Meyer) away from there since that time, and one of them won a Heisman while playing there (while losing to UGA two of his three seasons) and still left.
this might just be the beginning of the end for UFag. I don’t wish any ill will on anyone, even Coach Cryer, and I hope he gets better and overcomes his health issues. But I do hope that Florida begins to suck like they did when Doug Dickey, Charley Pell and Galen Hall were there. Those were great times to be Dawg Fans in Jax. Go DAWGS!!!
BuLLdawg
December 27th, 2009
12:24 am
All that history means nothing.
Florida is a huge school with nearly 50,000 students and has everything.
Including 2 National Championships, recently.
Florida is a dominant program.
Pago Flyer
December 27th, 2009
12:25 am
Is this the guy who called “time out” with just a few seconds left during his annual beat down of the DAWGS?!Karma?
Red Dog 77
December 27th, 2009
12:31 am
Fan 8;16pm 12/26,and Hayseed Dixie 8;16pm 12/26: First Fan, This is indeed a Bulldog Blog, Second, and this goes for you too Hayseed Dixie, If you sinsitive little girls would take the time to read these posts, all of them , you would recognize, that yes there are afew morons taking pleasure at hearing the resignation of Coach Meyers, but for the most part , I see alot of what I would call gentlemen football fans , from all schools ,that wish coach Meyer the very best and pray that his health improves. I bleed RED and BLACK , and I wish nothing but the best for the man ! He has been a fierce competeter, well organized, and has been nothing but good for the game of college football……… Now dry up you little girls, and stop being so dadburn sinsitive.
atlcubsfan
December 27th, 2009
12:42 am
BuLLdawg:
You are correct: Florida has been dominant in the last few years. But in the south-central US, Oklahoma Football is everything. If you’ve been to a game there (which I have) or have traveled to Tulsa for work during the year, you’d know. Yes, UF football is at an apex and has rabid fans inside Florida and around the US, but Florida has 18 million residents, many large cities, professional teams in every sport, and seven D-1 football programs. Oklahoma has 3.6 million people, one major sports team (OK City Thunder- NBA), and three D-1 programs (OU, OSU, Tulsa). OU Football dominates EVERYTHING out there, much like Nebraska Football dominates their state. It’s different out there. Football is all they have sports-wise to hold onto, and OU football is the history, the past, the present, and the future. Sure, Florida is a draw for many coaches on the rise, especially because of their recent success, but the pressure is high and the distractions and competition are high, too. If Miami and FSU ever start to get together like they used to have it running (Miami could only recruit Dade County and be successful with the right coach), UF could be the third best team in their state in short order. Tebows don’t come around but every 50 years. ‘Just ask us Dawg fans about Herschels.
Stoops has it good, and they will pay him well to stay, even with the season they just had. Why leave Eden for the Gainesville Pressure Cooker? Leaving the Blue Turf and 10 degree weather of Boise seems much more likely for a guy like Petersen.