Florida fans: Stop whining about Meyer going to Ohio State
Before Florida fans complain, they should remember Urban Meyer won this thing for them -- twice. (AP photo)
(Updated: 10:35 a.m.)
Urban Meyer just went from savior to Satan in Gainesville. Sorry, but did Florida fans really expect he was going to spend the rest of his life sitting in a climate-controlled studio and planting pansies?
Welcome to reality, Gator fans. You’re apparently the last one to figure out that Meyer is no less disingenuous than any other college coach, and he might be worse.
The former Florida coach reportedly has taken the head coaching job at Ohio State, confirming the worst kept secret in sports. Kudos to the blog sites ElevenWarriors and SportsByBrooks, which were way ahead of this story on Nov. 18.
(For what it’s worth: Meyer’s agent denied to cbssports.com’s Dennis Dodd that Meyer has accepted the job. But at this point, we’re probably talking semantics.)
Gator fans are upset. They believe Meyer betrayed them, and, well, maybe he did just a little. They believe he was dishonest, and, well, maybe he was just a little.
But Meyer won two BCS and two SEC championships. He went 65-15 in six seasons, resuscitating a program that had slipped under Ron Zook following Steve Spurrier’s departure. Urban Meyer owes Florida fans nothing.
My pal, George Diaz, of the Orlando Sentinel had an excellent column on this and he was right on point when he wrote: “In Columbus and other Ohio outposts, Urban is a saint. In Gainesville and neighboring communities, he is a sinner. Labels are funny. If Meyer had quit on Ohio State and was returning to coach at Florida, the sentiments would be flip-flopped.”
Now, about Meyer: My belief is that the health scare he suffered nearly two years ago was legit. It probably freaked out his family more than him but that’s the way most coaches are wired. He resigned one day and un-resigned the next, saying he would take only a leave of absence.
The 2010 season was a mess. Meyer couldn’t be as driven (psychotic?) as he wanted to be. The fact Florida slipped (4-4 in the SEC after going 32-9 in the previous nine years) didn’t help. He was worn down. He wasn’t having fun. He needed a break. So he quit. That’s what I believe.
One popular conspiracy theory: Meyer left because he realized he had made some recruiting mistakes and the Gators would be mediocre this season. That could’ve played a role. But if Florida had been better in 2010, maybe he wouldn’t have seemed as worn down, either.
Regardless, the “I just want to spend more time with my family” excuse never washed with anybody. That’s not to say Meyer doesn’t love his wife and children but that never seemed the No. 1 motivating factor in him quitting.
If he really felt that, he wouldn’t be back now. What, after 12 months, he got all of the hugs out of his system?
Meyer just needed a break. Now he returns to Ohio State, where he was a grad assistant for two years. He is a Ohio native. This is as close to a dream job as he will get. (My guess is “dream job” will be mentioned at his introductory news conference.)
None of this means he is making the right decision. If he starts suffering from chest pains again, you will have your answer.
As far as how this affects his family, that’s between them. But nobody should be stunned that Meyer is going to be back on a sideline next season. And if any Florida fans have hard feelings about it, maybe they should take a walk past the trophy case.
By Jeff Schultz
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401 comments Add your comment
MoreIsLess
November 28th, 2011
1:07 pm
Can we keep the Dawg posts off here since this thread is about Urban Meyer. Your excitement is understandable, though, seeing as how Tech is the only ranked team you’ve beaten this year. What were they ranked, 24th.
Don’t injure yoursleves thumping your chest.
FLA DAWG
November 28th, 2011
1:09 pm
I believe Auburn was ranked when we played them – though around 23 or so.
Besides, UGA was good enough to knockoff your Gators this year.
dream job
November 28th, 2011
1:10 pm
Jeff: very good insights about the real reason behind the resignation and taking the new job. The recruiting busts / talent level probably played a big part in the second resignation—meyer didn’t want to totally rebuild. The opportunity to make almost $6 million at his dream school—too much to pass up.
OkieDawg
November 28th, 2011
1:11 pm
Urban Meyer’s success at Florida had a lot to do with DC Charlie Strong and OC Dan Mullen. When they left, the program fell apart under Urban. However, the GatorNation took an even bigger step back when they hired Judas Muschump and Charlie “Buffet Boy” Weis.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 28th, 2011
1:12 pm
Hey Florida fans
Congrats on losing your best coach
Keep up the arrogance your fanbase shows every year; hopefully your program falls into shambles for decades to come
By the way do you think you can get rid of the 80’s rat tails and mullet hair-do’s and how about something other than jean shorts
MoreIsLess
November 28th, 2011
1:16 pm
Meyer is to college football what Larry Brown was to college basketball
Sid
November 28th, 2011
1:21 pm
“He resigned one day and un-resigned the next, saying he would take only a leave of absence.”
“He wasn’t having fun. He needed a break. So he quit.”
“Meyer left because he realized he had made some recruiting mistakes.”
Man, all this smacks of a true champion to me. Really, is it all that far removed from Bobby Petrino? Dream job my ass, first he will tout the probation making him a martyr for taking the job. Remember Obama’s campaign, all along how he was gonna fix this and fix that…………what were his words the very night he was elected “Now you know we can’t cure all that ails America”. So be it, OSU is paying a hefty price to not lose their recruiting position for a coach who may or may not be there depending on how he feels, or needs a break.
FSU fan
November 28th, 2011
1:21 pm
Zook is available..just got fired.
1eyedJack
November 28th, 2011
1:21 pm
Bama fans should be thankful that Notre Dame sux and didn’t win 10 or 11 games. Then this whole conversation would be moot.
FSU fan
November 28th, 2011
1:23 pm
Flat tire..thats old news they lost him last year. They got the man they wanted..now live with it.
GatorGr8t
November 28th, 2011
1:29 pm
It’s not so much WHAT HE DID, as HOW HE DID IT!! Does TRUST and a MAN’S WORD mean anything anymore? All we have to go on with each other is our track record and our actions, and this is where Gator fans and folks with some backbone and integrity have a problem with what he did. Anybody that condones what he did is probably either of the same mindset or was raised in a similar environment. Is that where our country’s soul is at these days? If so, we should be ashamed of ourselves. What if a man’s wife said that she wanted a divorce due to health concerns, and was out shacking up with another man 10 months later? how would you feel? I say, Be Straight or Be Gone!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 28th, 2011
1:32 pm
FSU fan
What I am living with stupid
Red Stick
November 28th, 2011
1:33 pm
@Silly Bloggers at 1:03,
Well said and you are spot on. Alot of people don’t like the system but LSU and Alabama have proven over the entire season that they are the 2 best teams in college football..
Laughable
November 28th, 2011
1:33 pm
Bulldye fans pray to the football gods every day that Meyer left UF, so’s they could finally win a game in J’ville.
pb
November 28th, 2011
1:33 pm
Let Urban got to Ohio. Maybe will be happier there. But do think he has not been totally honest about reasons for retirement… What person retires (twice) when he is in his forties? Doesn’t add up. But doesn’t really matter now. If he wins at Ohio State, people will soon forget he “deserted” Florida.
Dawgs > Fla
November 28th, 2011
1:35 pm
fla’s program will be down for years with muschamp as coach. He doesn’t know what he is doing. Richt will be taking will to school every year. Dawgs on top!!!
gcs
November 28th, 2011
1:38 pm
He lied about being sick. He lied about wanting to spend more time with the family. And he lied about getting the OSU job. He is PERFECT for Ohio State. I am sure Jim Tressel approves.
.
Gator CHOMP Champ
November 28th, 2011
1:40 pm
Sad to see him end up there. We will still beat GA next fall for all the homers piling on.
FL always beats GA. Last year was a blip on the radar. Enjoy your one win for the upcoming decade.
Note to MoreIsLess
November 28th, 2011
1:40 pm
No, we cannot keep Dawg fans off of this post seeing as how it is the ATLANTA Journal Constitution site, not the Orlando one. Atlanta is in the state of GA you dufas.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 28th, 2011
1:41 pm
The only thing Meyer lied about was having to put with the arrogant Mullet Head Florida fanbase who is ready to fire someone for being down 3 points at the half
Charlie Weis' Cooler (chair)
November 28th, 2011
1:44 pm
Gator CHOMP Champ, are you sure you guys will beat GA next year? I think UGA beats you again next year. FL always beats GA, huh. If that is the case then why does GA lead the overall series and they beat FL this year. Besides, your OC will be taping next year’s “Biggest Loser” series so he will be out of pocket for a while.
blue
November 28th, 2011
1:47 pm
ATLien; why were his two national championships “very mythical”??
bucket
November 28th, 2011
1:47 pm
@ Red Stick – how exactly did LSU and Alabama prove they were the two best teams? By playing eachother in a game of field goals? Who did Alabama play outside of their conference that proved they were the #2 ranked team? Alabama hasn’t played one of the top teams from any other conference. LSU has and their reward for playing a tough OOC schedule and winning the SEC West is they have to play another game while Alabama stays home and prepares for the BCS Championship! All of this talk about who is obviously the best two teams is just as mythical as the championship that gets awarded every year in college football!
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
November 28th, 2011
1:48 pm
LSU gona beat the dog sheet out of UGA. Run that mouth dogfans…that is what you do best.
Weis Needs a Chair
November 28th, 2011
1:52 pm
That cooler is starting to break—UF engineers need to design a special chair to hold charlie’s 350 lbs. on the sidelines. It may take some work, but it can be done. Go design a chair.
JROLL1
November 28th, 2011
1:54 pm
Jeff, are there any pictures of Urban at any of his daughter’s volleyball games? Just sayn’…..
gcs
November 28th, 2011
1:54 pm
I’d like to see Urban Meyer win WITHOUT a big-time QB.
For his two years at Utah, he inherited Alex Smith (49ers QB).
Then he went to Florida and went 9-3 in his 1st year.
Tebow arrives and they go on a 4 yr run. Tebow graduates and Fla is back to 8-5.
Now at OSU he will benefit from having another Top QB in Braxton Miller already in place.
.
Howie
November 28th, 2011
1:56 pm
I am a UGA fan and even I think that UF fans have a right to be critical of Meyer.
To resign and say he wanted to spend more time with his family and then take another job 1 year later is stupid and makes no sense.
We will see how it works, not sure he deserves anyone wishing him luck.
Charlie Pell Grant
November 28th, 2011
1:59 pm
Florida—The cradle of coaches ! Kinda like Miami(O)
Silly Bloggers
November 28th, 2011
2:01 pm
bucket…I am not a Bama fan, but who is more deserving? Bama beat #8 Arkansas, lost to #1 by three points, and beat Penn State on the road (yes, you can say they suck, but they are a ranked team). So that leaves other one loss teams. Oklahoma State beat who? And they lost to an awful Iowa State team they were favored by 27 over. VT? They have played nobody and I mean nobody. They lost to a Clemson team that has lost to GT and NC State, and got whipped by South Carolina. Stanford…good argument here outside of the fact they have yet to beat anyone outside of Notre Dame? They are no better than Penn State. Boise State? They have a quality win over UGA at the beginning of the year and nothing else at all to compare to Bama. That leaves you with Houston who is undefeated and that is a totally different argument.
It isn’t just about how great Bama is, it is who is better? Okie State may jump Bama if they beat Oklahoma…and that is a big if on both counts. Their resume is the closest but still doesn’t stack up even with a win against Oklahoma. My question is, who is more deserving in your eyes?
Charlie Pell Grant
November 28th, 2011
2:03 pm
They should all have the class of Bill Curry. He resigned from his alma mater because not enough bricks were being thrown through his window. So he went to Bama.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
November 28th, 2011
2:04 pm
“Urban Meyer just went from savior to Satan in Gainesville. ”
So Jeff now speaks for Gator Nation? Every Gator grad/fan I know couldn’t care less.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
November 28th, 2011
2:05 pm
For the record, a lot of Gator grads/fans say that Meyer left because Cam Newton became a superstar last year and made Meyer look stupid.
Ol' Timer
November 28th, 2011
2:11 pm
Coach had a bad case of post partem depression with Tebow leaving, but seems to be over it. The curative power of $6 mil per year is amazing.
Cardinal Sin
November 28th, 2011
2:13 pm
We want Spurrier BACK!!!!! Please!!!!
gbal
November 28th, 2011
2:17 pm
Has anyone really heard much of Florida fans whinning about UM taking the OU job? Anything from Florida officials?… Just funny how the whinners are the press. Its crazy how everyong follows what the press reports as opposed to the press reporting what the people really feel.
Case in point … If ESPN made no mention whatsoever about the LSU-Bama 1-2 rematch, …creating the hype and expectation…. do you really think the rematch would happen???? NO. Polls would vote differently. They are just following what they hear.
SAME when ESPN reported that UGA could not go to the NC game w/out winning their confrence. It’s what ESPN reported so its what the voters did.
I AM NOT WHINNING…. I think the best two teams should go but ESPN is making the decision for the voters with their continuous reporting of how they think it should be.
Would it not be best for the media ESPN to report what the voters are thinking VS what they think?
OkieDawg
November 28th, 2011
2:17 pm
Enter your comments here
Ol' Timer
November 28th, 2011
2:18 pm
Les Miles and Saban are going to have to get a raise. It just won’t stand to have the new coach at OSU making more money than them.
Ben Hill Griffen Citrus Co..
November 28th, 2011
2:19 pm
Who hired Weis and Muschamp ???? we need Mullen and Strong back !!
gbal
November 28th, 2011
2:21 pm
Willie – Most dawg fans are just stating that we have a chance. Probably a better chance than many think.
One thing for sure, (and I am not sure what kind of fan you are), We have a much better chance to win the confrence championship than UF, SC, UT, UK, or any other SEC team! take that to the bank.
Destin Dawg
November 28th, 2011
2:21 pm
we can beat Alamber…. Richt is 2 for 3 against Saban.. we play ‘em next year.. now Go Dawgs.. beat LSU. !!!!
Destin Dawg
November 28th, 2011
2:23 pm
the score is LSU 0 UGA 0 right now…
gbal
November 28th, 2011
2:23 pm
Destin, I donth think we end up playing Bama…. Missouri is going to get in the way.
TampaGator
November 28th, 2011
2:26 pm
Schultz…..
You are generally better than this. Who put you in a postion to tell Gator fans how they should feel or not feel about Urban Meyer. Maybe, if you were a Gator fan, you might have a different perspective on that view. Marcus Gilbert, who was recruited and played for Meyer on a NC team with Tebow and many guys starting in the NFL right now, basically called Meyer a “liar” last week. Maybe you should call Marcus Gilbert (he starts at RT for the Steelers) and ask him for his perspective on the matter. Maybe you should also call coach Gonzalez (the now WR coach and former coach under Meyer at Florida) to get some perspective on Meyer’s personal character as well…a lot happened there. Meyer lied to a lot of recruits, lied to former players, lied to the Florida adminstration after they gave him a second chance, and…..finally…..lied to all of GatorNation when he said…after coming back the second time….”I will be here as long as they want me.” Well…..GatorNation does not want him anymore….and Ohio State can have the sack of your know what.
And to your Muschamp and Weis haters….enjoy while you can. GatorNation is supports both…big time….and big time recruits are either jumping on or will be jumping on the Gator train very soon.
Ben Hill Griffen Citrus Co.
November 28th, 2011
2:27 pm
Weis needs my old tractor to sit on
Red Stick
November 28th, 2011
2:28 pm
bucket
November 28th, 2011
1:47 pm
“@ Red Stick – how exactly did LSU and Alabama prove they were the two best teams? By playing eachother in a game of field goals? Who did Alabama play outside of their conference that proved they were the #2 ranked team?”
My response is pretty much what Silly Bloggers said at 2:01. Who is better than Alabama?
Ben Hill Griffen Citrus Co.
November 28th, 2011
2:30 pm
TamapaGator.. I suggest we get Dan Mullen and Charlie Strong back
Red Stick
November 28th, 2011
2:31 pm
bucket,
Yes the Bama-LSU was a game of field goals but it was one of the best games I’ve ever been to. I have been a LSU season ticket holder since 1981 and attended the games as a student the prior 4 years so I’ve seen alot of contests over the years.
That one was an all-timer, hard-hitting on both sides and an electrifying atmosphere.
TampaGator
November 28th, 2011
2:33 pm
…..that should have said that Gonzalez is at LSU now…and the former WR coach under Meyer….and he certainly has a different perspective than you on Meyer….just ask him….but LSU probably won’t let him be open about talking about things.
TampaGator
November 28th, 2011
2:39 pm
gcs….
Meyer recruited both Smith to Utah and Tebow to Florida….for his system. He will not have recruited Miller at OSU. But he will benefit from having him in his type of offense.
But….Muschamp does not currently have the players on offense he needs for his system. But he and his staff are getting them….and Florida will be very good in the next couple of years.