Deny, deny, deny: But don’t be surprised if Meyer leaves
Florida's Urban Meyer is just like every other coach: At some point, he's going to need a new challenge.
If Urban Meyer wants to clear the air again about rumors that he’ll become Notre Dame’s next football coach after the upcoming season, he’ll have an opportunity this week at SEC media days in Alabama.
Will it make a difference? No. But at least everybody will have something on tape for reference, just like all those clips of Nick Saban saying: “I guess I have to say it. I’m not going to be the Alabama coach.”
I know. Meyer is different, right? That’s what Florida fans say. That’s what Meyer suggests. So when he all but slammed his fist on the table the other day and said, “I’m not going to Notre Dame. Ever. I’m going to be the coach at Florida for a long time, as long as they want me,” we had to believe him right?
Uh, no.
I don’t know Meyer but I know coaches. Never met one — in any sport on any level — who didn’t at some point need a new challenge. This isn’t to say Florida isn’t one of the best college football jobs going right now and possibly even a better job than Notre Dame (the name still has cache even if the current edition doesn’t). But at some point, after another championship and another multi-million-dollar raise, it’s only natural for a coach to think, “What next?” and look around.
Fact is, compared to other coaches, there’s twice the reason to think Meyer’s gone after one more season. He has two things tempting him: 1) We know what the Notre Dame job means to him because he has said it; 2) We can guess what the NFL means. With some teams now using a form of the spread offense, it would be easy for Meyer to convince himself of a smoother transition to the NFL than Saban and Steve Spurrier had.
Personally, I think Meyer’s gone. Gator fanboy needs to understand something: Coaches lie. They do it because they think they have to. They do it to keep recruits from getting cold feet and to keep their players focused. They do it because they think it’s none of your business whether they take that next job or not.
And, yes, Meyer has done it. The Orlando Sentinel dug up a couple of quotes from the Gators’ sainted coach.
♦ “I was contacted by one, but I’m not interested. I love it here. We have a lot of work to do. That’s the bottom line.” — That was Meyer in 2002 when he was the Bowling Green coach. Six days later, he took the Utah job.
♦ “All I keep saying is I plan on being the coach here at Utah.” — That was Meyer in 2004. Five days later, he took the Florida job.
Still feel the same about Meyer?
Get ready for a season of denials. But they mean nothing.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
233 comments Add your comment
Gator in the Hootch
July 20th, 2009
1:38 pm
Ah, come on Arch, the Gators are bound to mess up and lose at least one more game to the Bullpuppies in the next 20 years don’t you think?
Reality Check
July 20th, 2009
1:40 pm
bwell – keep hope alive man! Too bad UF will only lose 5 starters off it’s defense, and that’s assuming that Haden and Dunlap go pro. Their entire OL should be back and the backup QB would start at any SEC school not named Florida or Ole Miss.
And you know what, even if the Gators “fell from grace”… at least they’ve been there. But it’s not going to happen. You don’t put together 3-straight top 3 recruiting classes and not have some talent on hand. Besides, UF has already proven that they don’t need superior talent to beat UGA, but when they do it’s a blowout.
And nice wishful thinking about Meyer leaving. Tired subject. Move on, won’t happen.
Lee Dawg
July 20th, 2009
1:42 pm
Charlie Strong should have been a head coach a long time ago. His defenses at Carolina use to give us fits and the same can be said at Fla. That is a scenario I could understand. U.M. leaves for the NFL and Strong becomes coach. Personally though, I don’t think he will go anywhere. Neither is Richt going anywhere. It’s all just preseason fluff to get all the SEC fans going at it because the writers know we can’t wait for the season to begin!!!!!! Come on September 5th!!!!!!!
Nick
July 20th, 2009
1:45 pm
Hey ItaliianDawg – is that a Georgia fan calling someone else a redneck? Ever heard that saying about pots and kettles? Ever spent much time in Georgia?
Besides, you probably haven’t spent much time in Gainesville cause it’s more of a hippie city than anything else. Not that it’s any better, just sayin. Maybe you have it confused with Gainesville, GA?
Sick of you too
July 20th, 2009
1:46 pm
I sure hope they identify the person that filmed Erin Andrews nude in her hotel room. I need to know where to order a copy. Just kiddin. Seriously, Erin, you need to check those hotel closets for tiny holes in the future. By the way, Erin, what hotel do you go to next? Again just kiddin.
CJW80
July 20th, 2009
1:47 pm
Maybe Myer can go to the NFL, decide he hates it, deny he is interested in the UGA head coaching job, only to become the next Head coach at Georgia!!! Sounds Ridiculous Look at Old Douche bag himself Nick Saban!!!!!
Gator Rob
July 20th, 2009
1:49 pm
Lee Dawg, Amen brother.
It’s a crime that Charlie Strong is not a head coach. But I’m fine with him staying put.
Even though it’s not going to happen, just for arguments sake, I don’t think Strong would take the reigns if Meyer left. There’s a better chance they’d bring Mullen back. But Strong will make a hell of a head coach one day. He’s one of the top DC’s in the game.
Kevin G
July 20th, 2009
1:57 pm
First of all let me just say how proud i am to be a Bulldawg fan. After two national championships in recent years uga still out sells florida in football merchandise. championships or not i will always love my DAWGS because to us georgia fans its more than just winning . . . its the big family with more tradition than florida could dream of. With that said . . I hope urban stays at florida because recently there have been recruits not liking him as he comes across to them as the arrogant jerk he is. Example . . Number two Defensive tackle commits to georgia yesterday saying he really felt more comfortable with the man Richt is and did not get along too well with meyer. The sun will shine for the DAWGS soon dont worry about that. This is just a little run florida made just like USC .miami. Florida state. And such teams have made in recent history.
Lee Dawg
July 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
Strong would have been a perfect fit for Auburn. Great defense and pounding the ball.
HiFiGator
July 20th, 2009
2:02 pm
I’m glad I can count on clowns like Finebaum and this guy (not worthy of naming …), for a few laughs to help me get through the slow-moving summer. You know … the off-season between the Gators 3rd and fourth National Championship seasons.
This is also worth mentioning: there is only 1 team that has won multiple titles in both football and basketball. Any guesses? Yep, that would be Florida! Now look at it this way: after next season, Florid will not only have multiple Titles in both sports, but will have won Back-to-Back titles in both Football and Basketball.
Lastly: Notre Dame??? Isn’t that the school with the gay leprechaun for a mascot?
chazzo
July 20th, 2009
2:06 pm
If he gets two NCs in a row and being sans Tebow, I would have to believe that Meyer would consider other offers.
FSU already has their next HC on staff. It is in his contract. I don’t think Richt will leave UGA. He wants to be (and in my opinion is) a dynasty coach. He wants to have Cathedral size stained glass and David sized bronze statue of himself in Athens like Bowden does in Tally. I like Mark Richt, but I do hope the people of Athens are a little more tasteful than we were at FSU.
Big Jimmy
July 20th, 2009
2:08 pm
Kevin – are you really talking smack about who sells more merchandise? Wow. UGA sold more in 08 because of all the undeserved preseason hype they got. Let’s see who’s tops in 09, shall we?
And just to fill you in, that DT that committed to UGA was never considering UF and they weren’t actively recruiting him.. The whole announcement with him taking off the shirts was a dog and pony show. Nice PR stunt. Just proves that UGA is obsessed with UF.
Gator Rob
July 20th, 2009
2:14 pm
You know why Auburn wouldn’t hire Strong, right? Same reason most other SEC schools won’t.
chazzo – that was funny man. the stained glass is over the top. There are only a handful of other people I’ve ever seen in stained glass. And they all lived in or near Jeruselem about 2000 years ago.
Cuz
July 20th, 2009
2:20 pm
What if I decree that Meyer stays at UF and Richt stays at UGA. Will that make everybody happy? Great, glad I could help. S’mores anyone?
TybeeDawg
July 20th, 2009
2:22 pm
Well we can FINALLY put this debate to rest: Rival.com just accidentally leaked a video of Meyer announcing he was leaving UF for Notre Dame.
Another one saying Meyers leaves - Page 2 - SECTalk Forums
July 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
[...] Posted by BAMAPERRY Deny, deny, deny: But don’t be surprised if Meyer leaves | Jeff Schultz aren’t you supposed to be [...]
chazzo
July 20th, 2009
2:57 pm
Strong was UFs best hire. He gave UGA fits at SC and continues to do so.
JSS
July 20th, 2009
2:58 pm
Hey Paddy, Where is the word “fan” anywhere in the word: “sports?” Hmmm… It isn’t!!! What I despise besides my nemesis (he knows who he is) is a bunch of grown people with nothing better to do than to slitter around athletic programs (whether they be scholastic or collegiate) like they are on the field of competition!!! AMAZING!!! The ancient Romans and the Incas may have had it right… Just kill tthe vanquished, imagine how empty the streets would be if the losers of that drunkfest in JAX were axed in the public square…
Now, I hope you realize how silly that sounds, almost as silly as the comment that you made and the importance that you folks put on BCS football… Straight SILLINESS!!!
AltamahaDawg
July 20th, 2009
3:15 pm
I saw that video too. Urban sporting a Fighting Irish shirt. I doubt that even Schultz knew how timely this article would be. WOW! Will Strong be named interim for this season?
Cuz
July 20th, 2009
3:36 pm
The part I liked in the leaked video of Meyer accepting the Notre Dame head coaching slot was the benediction given by Pope Benedict. When he compared Urban Meyer to Knute Rockne and Tim Tebow to George Gipp, I knew the Pope knew his football. And that reference to the four horsemen and backing it up with a few verses from Revelations of St. John, that was awesome.
how2fish
July 20th, 2009
3:41 pm
I want St.Urban to stay at FLA…and I want to beat him…he is the best at the moment, great team , great talent, great staff…when you play the best and you win then you beat the best…and playing the best makes you better , you train and plan harder because you know you will be playing the best..the SEC is better with all the great coaches currently in it than at any time before..we are contenders or winner of the MNC every year now. St.Urban has helped the league get better from top to bottom..and I still want to beat him..but you have to respect him..but I like the Dogs chances the next few years..I really think Florida is our biggest hurdle and your not bad if beating the current National Champs is your biggest hurdle…
Cuz
July 20th, 2009
3:48 pm
I agree how, but that also applies to eight other SEC teams. Their biggest hurdle is also the current holders of the Crystal football.
I wonder what the over and under is on Meyer bolting for the NFL if he wins back to back championships? What then would he have to prove at UF? I think that is the only scenario that is likely to happen. I really don’t see the Legend leaving for the Fussing Irish. And if he can contain his ego, he would stay at UF and follow Tebow into Sainthood.
Yes Sir!
July 20th, 2009
3:49 pm
TampaGator- is the good book that you have to read Urban’s book where he says that Notre Dame is his dream job?
DR
July 20th, 2009
3:55 pm
See you Urban!!
BG
July 20th, 2009
4:02 pm
Mark it down. Urban is gone after this year. Urban knows a qb like tebow only comes along once in a coaches career. Urban will never enjoy the same success he has now when tebow is gone. Uf will be a 8 or 9 win team at best in the future.
mq
July 20th, 2009
4:07 pm
Big Jimmy who are you kidding?? UF wanted Smith real bad. UF was pulling out all the stops to get Smith. I know Smiths coach and he told me Meyer really really wanted Smith at UF. Smith saw right through Meyers smoke and mirrors.
College Football Media Days Takes Center Stage This Week :: Stephen Crews News Sports Page
July 20th, 2009
4:12 pm
[...] and this guy, one of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s tremendous columnist Jeff Schultz offers his take this morning. Not sure Florida fans will love [...]
Blackberry Cobbler
July 20th, 2009
4:26 pm
I’m a big UGA fan………………
BUT, as I recall, UF under Spurrier did a pretty good job of beating the Dawgs on a regular basis before Urban Meyer and Tebow.
Just because Tebow will be gone and Meyer might leave doesn’t change things. CMR has yet to prove he can beat any real talent in the SEC.
Chop Master
July 20th, 2009
4:30 pm
I will give Herban credit for not being very bright by saying it is his dream job. His wife chiming in with he really really really loved it at Notre Dame also was pretty smooth.
I guess he did not think Bernie are Jeremy would pick up on this.
Long Dawg
July 20th, 2009
4:39 pm
I don’t want Urban Myer to leave.You become the best by beating the best. The worm will turn. It always does. What he has accomplished at Florida is remarkable and there is nowhere to go but down and they will go down. He can’t continue on this streak because everyone in the league is gearing up to counter it. He has a good chance of winning the SEC and a National Championship this year and he should because Florida has the easiest schedule in the SEC. But if for some reason he doesn’t win both the SEC and the National Championship evey Florida fan is gonna think the season sucked. He has set the expectations so high he won’t be able to maintain his own standard. Then he will go to the NFL and make 10M a year.
Monday (7/20) reading « The Chapel Bell
July 20th, 2009
4:48 pm
[...] Shocker: Jeff Schultz doesn’t think Urban Meyer is going to stay at Florida. [...]
Bama Dee
July 20th, 2009
4:54 pm
Right now, Florida is better job than Notre Dame, however, the Dolphins was a better job than Alabama…but here is what everyone seems not to get. Notre Dame is a powerhouse name in college football. They have fell from prominence. Like Nick Saban is doing at Alabama, if Urban Meyer can bring that team back to the top in college football, his name WILL BE mentioned with coaches such as Bear Bryant, Woody Hayes, Joe Paterno and the likes. What coach would not want that? Meyer is a great coach, however, let’s be clear…STEVE SPURRIER brought Florida to college football prominence and Meyer will NEVER get the same recognition in Gainesville.
shane#1
July 20th, 2009
5:19 pm
I have to disagree with Atlanta Gator on this one. UF is a much better ptogram than Notre Dame, as of now!! Let’s look to the future-1- ND has a cup cake schedule. Weis needs to win and win big this year. 2- Weis is what has been described as a “dark room guy”. He is excellent at sitting alone in a dark room and drawing Xs and Os, but as a people person, he sucks. 3- Meyer has said that CFB is a personel driven sport. All schemes are designed to win football games, it is just a matter of having the right people in place. 3- ND has several top five classes reaching maturity and anyone who saw Clausen play last year can see his potential. His stats were on par with Stafford, yet ND had to play UH in a no name bowl. Is anyone dumb enough to believe that Meyer’s QB coach could not make a winner out of Clausen? Tenuta is a hard nosed, agressive DC, I believe that Meyer would let him loose the dogs, no more co-DC. So what do we have? A nationaly recognized program loaded with athletes and a potentally great QB that has underachieved because of poor coaching. A nation wide recruiting base. Plenty of money, and a long history of great football. A creme puff schedule with a couple of big games thrown in, and we know Urban loves big games! Oh, and lest we forget, MAJOR MARKETS! If I was a coach I would take the first thing smoking if the ND job was open. Win there now and the NFL will be knocking at your door.
Mike T.
July 20th, 2009
5:55 pm
Hey Gator fans!
Don’t think just because Meyers said he won’t leave and go to ND,that he won’t do it. He also said on a ESPN Game Day show back in 2004 that he was not going to leave Utah for Florida either, but we saw otherwise.
Preston
July 20th, 2009
5:58 pm
I hope he stays long enough to see UGA turn the tide back our way like it was pre-Spurrier. It’s coming soon.
The Insider
July 20th, 2009
6:15 pm
A little tidbit info for you guys (and girls)out there…Looks like Meyer will have even more motivation to beat down a certain rival this year. Remember a couple of weeks ago when it was rumored that Matt Elam, a five star prospect Florida commit from south Florida suddenly might visit UGA and take other visits?? Well, it seems that someone (a for now un-named rival coach) told Elam that they KNEW Meyer was leaving UF after this season and going to ND. When Meyer caught wind of this, he asked Elam who told him that. That is the real reason Meyer came out with such a strong denial and saying “ever”, not Finebaums article. Lets just say that Meyer is fully aware of WHO it is and is NOT happy about it. He understands the “game” of recruiting and that there will always be rumors out there but THIS he considers an out and out lie and considers this almost like a “character asassination”. I WOULD NOT want to be that rival coach this season!! You can draw your own conclusions as to who the culprit is……..
wiley
July 20th, 2009
6:28 pm
Jeff – lock this blog in the chest with the moth balls so you can drag it out and hang it on the clothes line when Meyer leaves. My 2d choice is to just pack copies of it into Cracker jack boxes and ship to the state of FLA.
I’ve never seen so many gaytors PMSing over something. Girls please it’s embarrassing to see you get your panties in a wad over a hypothetical. What WILL you be like when he actually leaves for ND?
Having fun in Dalton
July 20th, 2009
6:36 pm
I’m a Georgia fan. Most importantly, I’m a fan of football. Now, like any other UGA fan, I don’t like Urban Myer either. But, I do recognize good coaching when I see it. Now even if Florida wins the BCS Championship this year, Myer is not going to stay at Florida. There will be nothing left for him to accomplish there. There is really nothing left for him to prove now at Florida. If Tebow would have went to the NFL, we wouldn’t be having the discussion now. So when He(Tebow) does leave along with the rest of the Florida defense(Brandon Spikes), Florida will be rebuilding. The talent that Florida has now is once a blue moon and I don’t think Myer is going to wait for the next blue moon.
So here’s my prediction. Florida will go to the BSC title game and probably will win it. So to all you delusional Florida fans that think Myer is going to stay: As soon as they hold up that trophy, he will be thinking about what he’s going to do at Notre Dame.
From a Georgia fan. That’s the bottom line.
Mike T.
July 20th, 2009
6:48 pm
“Mark Richt is leaving UGA to take over at FSU when Bowden is tossed out/retires. ”
Does Florida and Urban Meyer have a Jimbo Fisher? Didn’t think so. Example irrelevant. Apples and oranges.
Duluth Gator
July 20th, 2009
6:51 pm
Dawg Man, hey big boy you need to check the records, Zook beat your dawgs two out of three times so don’t go there with that crap that “Florida will probably hire some assistant on their staff who will be another Zook and then the dawgs will start winning again almost every year like the old days”… NOT
ckgator
July 20th, 2009
6:54 pm
Jeff – love your columns – and another great job creating something out of absolutely nothing. Sure Meyer will leave *one day.* Maybe in 20 years. Maybe next year. But the fact is that the recruiting advantages of Florida will never change, and UF is the flagship University of the state.
The sleeping giant is awake and has been now for 19 years. We will always have a great coach, period. Keep hanging your hats on the “jean shorts” comments Dawg fans! You are 1 play away from being South Carolina.
2N4YEARS
July 20th, 2009
6:57 pm
1) For all of you GATOR fans, by merely coming to this site & blogging are supporting Jeff’s colum, the same thing you are bashing. 2) As a GEORGIA fan for all of my life, I hate to lose a game, and it’s hard to believe that FLA has had the upper hand for nearly 20 years now. People can complain about the game being in FLA, but it didn’t seem to bother us DAWGS . The main difference I see is that FLA never takes UGA lightly –almost always taking the week off before the Cocktail Party. But the fact is that Richt, as much as I like him, hasn’t brought success for the DAWGS in the GA/FLA game. So for Meyer to leave wouldn’t mean much to me; Richt only beat Zook once too –after he was already fired.
2N4YEARS
July 20th, 2009
7:05 pm
For INSIDER and other arrogant FLA fans, I do believe Richt felt , let’s say very ‘cautious’ in last years game. It’s almost as if he felt guilty for smacking FLA so hard the year before.
This year I do believe that UGA will win that game. Richt won’t call any timeouts, but UGA will win.
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 20th, 2009
7:10 pm
If a coach doesn’t quit, he’ll eventually be fired. They might as well grab the brass ring while they can.
SamoanDawg
July 20th, 2009
7:24 pm
Who cares?!?
All I care about is the Dawgs!
MVP
July 20th, 2009
7:35 pm
Jeff can you and all the other AJC rejects come up with something original?That’s why I don’t subscribe to the AJC any more.
Dawg1
July 20th, 2009
7:47 pm
Well Jeff, at least you hung around and answered a few before hitting the back nine. Good way to get the hits up though.
You people are crazy. He isn’t going to take a college job ‘anywhere’ else. Florida has money, the state is loaded with talent, great weather and the fans love him. Spurrier kicks himself about once a week for ever leaving. Meyer will not make that same mistake.
Bank it. Personally hope he stays. UGA will win more than you think against the Gators over the next few years with our without Coach Meyer.
DAWG FARTS
July 20th, 2009
7:54 pm
In a few years Mark Richt will be gone from UGA with out winning a national championship…Meyer will add another SEC Title and 3rd National Title to his trophy case. Where will Jeff Schultz be at? cart crew @Target.
Leghumper
July 20th, 2009
7:59 pm
Time outs were legal. dancing in the endzone like a bunch 10 year old’s not. the ref’s and god hate UGA.
Gators 3x National Champs
July 20th, 2009
8:06 pm
Those same dumb Georgia fans here said Urban Spread would not work in the SEC…and Heisman winner Tim Tebow can’t throw either.