Will Meyer be Florida’s head coach for the 2010 season?
As expected, Urban Meyer announced Sunday afternoon that he has changed his mind and will not resign as Florida’s head coach after Friday’s Sugar Bowl game with Cincinnati.
Meyer will take an “indefinite leave of absence” from his duties as head coach and offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will serve as interim head coach. Meyer will not put a timetable on his return as head coach but he did indicate that believed he would be the head coach when the 2010 season rolls around.
Based on conversations I’ve had today with people close to the situation, Meyer told his family on Christmas night that he was going to resign as coach. The school put out a press release on Saturday that Meyer would be stepping down for the sake of his health. But things really changed in the next 24 hours.
The Gators practiced in Gainesville this morning before getting on the plane to go to New Orleans. Meyer met with athletics director Jeremy Foley after practice and discussed the possibility of him taking a leave of absence instead of resigning.
The fact is that Meyer’s wife, Shelley, Foley, and president Bernie Machen had put the idea of a leave of absence on the table a while back. Meyer told them he didn’t think he could do that and that just walking away was the best thing for everybody involved.
Meyer said he had a change of heart after Sunday morning’s practice. He decided to reconsider the leave of absence idea and to see if he could make it work.
Whether or not he can change his approach to coaching and come back remains to be seen. If he backs off his intense approach to the job, does he lose the edge that made him so successful? That is the challenge for Meyer in the weeks and months to come.
This is a good result for Meyer, but why would Florida do this? First of all, this buys Florida some time and holds this recruiting class together–at least for now. According to various reports, word has already been given to the players committed to Florida that Meyer will eventually come back as head coach. But it is a good six weeks between now and national signing day and you can bet that opposing coaches will hammer Florida about the uncertainty surrounding the program. There will be some defections.
There is another element of risk on Foley’s part. If Meyer does not come back for the 2010 season, this decision could set the Florida program back for a couple of years. But if Meyer comes back fit and rested, Foley has managed to retain one of the very best coaches in the game. If I’m Foley I believe it is a risk worth taking.
By the way. How would you like to be the University of Cincinnati football team? Wonder if they will get any coverage this week?
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445 comments Add your comment
jHack
December 27th, 2009
8:07 pm
This is a scripted uf event. Don’t believe it.
Nick Satan
December 27th, 2009
8:10 pm
So much for family and health first.
Big L
December 27th, 2009
8:14 pm
don’t care anymore. Signing day is almost here.
BULLDAWG BILL
December 27th, 2009
8:15 pm
THIS PROVES MEYER IS A HEAD CASE. NO RECRUIT SHOULD TRUST THIS FLIP-FLOPPING LIER. NICE TO KNOW THAT TEBOW AND HIS BUDDIES CRIED ABOUT MEYER LEAVING—WHAT A BUNCH OF WIMPS!!!!!
GATOR HATER
December 27th, 2009
8:16 pm
Meyer felt than there is more important things in life, the recruits.
Oy!
December 27th, 2009
8:16 pm
Urban Liar strikes again! Between this UF scuz and the KiffyKat at UT, the SEC is sinking to some new lows. This is so perfect for UGA to clean up on UF’s and UT’s transgressions!
I love it……UF and UT scraning to be loved. So cute! The recruits will figure out these two sketchy characters out.
GATOR HATER
December 27th, 2009
8:17 pm
Tebow reports that their team’s guys and dolls were crybabies.
flagboy?
December 27th, 2009
8:19 pm
There is no positive way to spin this for UF. Either Meyer made a hasty decision and is keeping the university in limbo as to which way he will go OR this is just a ploy to calm the nerves of recruits until they sign that paper. You hope it’s more of the former. . . . the latter is underhanded.
If Urban is really considering coming back in 2010, how will he be different? How does a coach, who is competitive by nature and is certainly a creature of habit, how does this guy go from worrying about EVERY DETAIL to just suddenly relaxing in the job. . . ?? I just think it’s impossible.
Kevin
December 27th, 2009
8:29 pm
On a different note, does anybody know where I can buy a DVD of the GEORGIA/georgia tech game this year? I’d appreciate any help given. Thanks!
Ken
December 27th, 2009
8:29 pm
Of course, this move is to keep the recruits in line. Even being a loyal Georgia Fan since the early fifties, I will still pray for Urban’s health.
Guess Who?
December 27th, 2009
8:30 pm
Hell, Tech is a 4th rate high school team, a bunch of nerds, A school located in a getto area around meth heads, and derelicts. Who wants to own THAT? When you own Bama, Fla. U of Tenn. LSU. Old Miss. Or Univ, of Kentucky then you mutts can brag your butts off. Until then SHUT UP!
Rodster
December 27th, 2009
8:35 pm
hey Gayturds, I think your coach’s estrogen level is too high.
Roll Tide!
Steve Ward
December 27th, 2009
8:36 pm
Before Urban Meyer announced his return to Florida, had there ever been a bowl game in which both coaches have resigned or been named to coach other teams?
Nick Satan
December 27th, 2009
8:37 pm
Hey Bama not on probation anymore? Louisiana Monroe or whoever whooped them packyderms a year or so ago. They’ll whoop um agin!!!!!!!
Red Dog 77
December 27th, 2009
8:38 pm
What a joke Urban Meyer has turned out to be. Personally ,I do believe the man is one hell of a coach, etc. but to do this back and forth crap is unbecoming at best for anyone in his position. I really didnt like the news when he FIRST retired, because beating him is something all bulldogs want in the worst way, especially me! and I am thrilled now we might have a chance to do just that. But to play this up in the air routine just for the sake of trying to hoodwink a few high school ball players is enough to make me want to puke! I try not to make too many predictions, or say, mark it down stuff, but just watch, Fla. will lose a huge number of top notch players, because of his shananigans, and they will also have their butts handed to them alot next year! And to think he had me feeling sorry for him! what a joke, You cant have it both ways Urban
Barbara Dooly
December 27th, 2009
8:39 pm
Hell, guess who is stuck in Shreveport for the holidays?
Big L
December 27th, 2009
8:43 pm
Georgia is PROUD to be in Shreveport; instead of Miami or New Orleans.
It is all you should expect.
Big L
December 27th, 2009
8:45 pm
Arron Murray is why Meyer is flopping. He will make the gaytors pay.
Mike Bobo
December 27th, 2009
8:47 pm
We all better get use to Shreveport. I’m scouting the area for nice restaurants…so far I’ve found a nice Wendy’s and Burger King.
Big L
December 27th, 2009
8:48 pm
Okay gay tech imposter . man up with ur opinion instead of using someone elses handle. I AM Big L. There can be only one. Course this is the only way a tech fan can be a dawg, by pretending to be one on a blog. Freakin loser.
Urban Meyer
December 27th, 2009
8:51 pm
How did you UGA fans like the press conference? That’s right, I’m not going anywhere. I’m your worst nightmare. BTW, I live in sunny Florida and don’t have to look for a tanning bed in Shreveport.
Billy Bob
December 27th, 2009
8:52 pm
I think Big L is actually a Yellow Jacket fan !
Big L
December 27th, 2009
8:54 pm
My name is Big L, loyal servant to the true emperor Marcus Aurelius. Husband to a murdered wife, father to a murdered son. And we will beat florida, in this life or the next. Preferably next year.
jellybeandawg
December 27th, 2009
8:55 pm
Mark Richt enjoys daily tanning, thinking of new “fake juice” motivational techniques to motivate his unmotivated, undisciplined teams, and singing “Kum-ba-ya my lord” with orphans around Honduran campfires.
Urban enjoys kicking peoples ass on the gridiron and winning National and SEC championships.
jellybeandawg
December 27th, 2009
8:56 pm
CASE CLOSED!!!!
Big L
December 27th, 2009
8:57 pm
Big L is a red and black, die hard, Kirk herbstreet hatin sumbitch of a bulldog and don’t you ever sully my name with the monicker of tech fan. Tell me where you are so that I may find you so that we may enage in fisticuffs sir. Jacket fan my ass.
I just don't understand.
December 27th, 2009
8:58 pm
You don’t make stress go away taking off a few months. It doesn’t work that way. So, what do you do, just half wat take care of the details and ever what happens is not stressful. FL recruits need to be looking at:
GA
GA Tech
TN
Auburn
AL
Or whoever, especially if they are from the stae of GA. Something is very wrong in Florida.
Urban Meyer
December 27th, 2009
8:58 pm
Hey Mike Bobo, mind picking me up one of those alligator key chains in Shreveport? I’ve never been to Shreveport and never will.
Rodster
December 27th, 2009
8:59 pm
“I’m going to retire” “Oh, naw, after practice I felt better and after consultation with Brett Favre I’m staying.” “This is mostly becuase it was my time of the month.”
Don't matter
December 27th, 2009
8:59 pm
Aaron Murry is no better than Logan Gray and a good inch shorter (in real life). And neither can come close to measuring up to John Brantley. Not even close. And we have Brantley for TWO more years!
Big L
December 27th, 2009
9:01 pm
The only accusation worse than bein called a jacket is bein a libtard democrat. Hey Billy Bob, just who the hell do you think you are to throw stuff like that around. I got a rep u know. Tech fan!!! Hell no.
Well, Don't matter
December 27th, 2009
9:04 pm
I guess you are really Gill Brant.You know your QBs.
Ben Gay
December 27th, 2009
9:06 pm
CUM, I’m your BIGGEST fan. I’m so glad your cummimg back. Say hi to Timmy for me.
Big L
December 27th, 2009
9:06 pm
Yeah, Arron Murray is no better. That’s why when Meyer recruited him, They put Murray’s jersey next to Spurriers, Wuerffel’s and Tebow’s as a recruitng tool. You know, cause was’nt any good. Brantley put up one td against Kentucky and mopped up Florida Atlantic after Tebow , and he is good? You need a little perspective sir.
Big L
December 27th, 2009
9:07 pm
Yeah, Arron Murray is no better than Cox. That’s why when Meyer recruited him, They put Murray’s jersey next to Spurriers, Wuerffel’s and Tebow’s as a recruitng tool. You know, cause was’nt any good. Brantley put up one td against Kentucky and mopped up Florida Atlantic after Tebow , and he is good? You need a little perspective sir.
Ben Gay
December 27th, 2009
9:09 pm
Big L? Now why do they call you that? Hummmmmmmmmmm?
Big L
December 27th, 2009
9:11 pm
Gaytor fans with their Brantley talk soumd just like us UGA fans did about Cox last year. Get ready jean short disciples. It’s gonna be tuff.
SOUTHGADAWG88
December 27th, 2009
9:12 pm
The guy had a panic attack…He’s lost his OC and DC,a popular position coach,Tebow is gone and he might lose a few more juniors to the NFL.I’m sure the thought of having to face a 7-8 win season had him freaked out a bit.
dawgster
December 27th, 2009
9:13 pm
Tampagator, you sicken me with your comments and insults to the dawg nation, you think you know all there is about the inside dealings with your program, your posts are always about how you have the greatest program College football has ever seen, and yes you have been on a nice run, but things will change, you just can’t except that, please don’t bring up Coach Richt’s Christian beliefs again when you know nothing about the integrity of this man…Maybe you should do some research about him and his family, Tebow is not the only one that does mission trips…Do you even know that his family has adopted kids from other countries, no you wouldn’t, i don’t blame you for getting on some of the dawg nation and their comments, they are not truly fans, but don’t bash our Coach for his beliefs..if you are any Man at all you should be sorry for personal attacks against someone Christian beliefs…
Big L
December 27th, 2009
9:14 pm
My name is Lee. I wanted something better but bigredandblackdawglovingroovyguy was already taken. So I simplified it.
Big L
December 27th, 2009
9:19 pm
hey dawgster, save your breath man. The whole world likes beating on Christians now because they see what they should be. But then they could’nt live consequence free. So instead of lifting up people with moral character, they bash them and try to bring them down to their level.
Tony is sooooo disappointed...
December 27th, 2009
9:19 pm
Tony.. you seem soooooo disappointed… LOL … Whether he comes back or not… your Dawgs will still be owned by Florida !
CRYING DAWG
December 27th, 2009
9:21 pm
I just saw Mike Bobo at the Waffle House in Shreveport. Was that Urban Meyer with him?
Big L
December 27th, 2009
9:23 pm
As far as the people making dumb statements on this blog not being real fans. Anything I say on here that does not have a statistic next to it is said with toungue firmly planted in cheek. Football is a love, but it has it’s place and I do all this in fun.
Big L
December 27th, 2009
9:26 pm
I hope Urban’s fine, but still stays away. Hey after 20 years of getting my head kicked in, I will take whatever I can get.
dawgster
December 27th, 2009
9:26 pm
Hey TampaGator, go to: Athens Banner Herald Newspaper, go to Dogbytes, read about Coach Richt’s comments about Coach Meyer, then think about what you say in the future about Coach Richt and his beliefs….
Mike Bobo
December 27th, 2009
9:31 pm
I’m beginning to like Shreveport.
The food here at the Waffle House is great.
I think we’ll come back next year!
Big L
December 27th, 2009
9:32 pm
20 year punishment for that whole Lindsey Scott thing is over. Dawgs will start beating Florida again and remind the gaytors that football was played before 1990.
Urban Meyer
December 27th, 2009
9:33 pm
Big L, I am fine. Let the beatings continue!
Bryan
December 27th, 2009
9:34 pm
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