What does Urban Meyer’s departure mean for UGA?
Mark Richt probably won't miss his annual Jacksonville meetings with Urban Meyer, but is the Florida coach quitting really good for UGA? (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
As word spread Wednesday afternoon of Urban Meyer’s resignation and speculation began centering around Dan Mullen heading the list of potential replacements, I noted on Twitter and Facebook that I was unsure whether this turn of events was good for UGA or not.
The feedback I got from fellow Bulldogs fans pretty much ran along the lines of this being possibly good for Mark Richt’s program in the short-run, but not good long-term.
Here’s the thinking: No matter who takes over at Florida, there’ll be at least a year of transition, even if it’s Mullen, who has only been gone from the program a couple of years and is considered by many to have been the genius behind Meyer’s phenomenal success there as well as at Bowling Green and Utah, where he also worked was Meyer’s key assistant. Some recruits might get jittery and if FSU doesn’t scoop ’em all up, the Dogs could benefit there.
And with Richt facing what appears to be a make-or-break season in 2011, any rebooting on the part of the Gators, however shortlived, tends to look like a good thing. Pair that with Gus Malzahn’s likely promotion to the head coaching ranks somewhere and Auburn, also likely to lose Cam Newton, looks like another rival returning to beatable status.
But as Meyer noted, “Florida will always be Florida,” and this is likely to be just a hiccup for the Gator program, particularly if Mullen is the new hire. I mean, the guy managed to win in Starkville. Imagine what he can do with all the resources and recruiting advantages he’ll have at the U of F.
Under Meyer, the Gators were likely to have continued slipping slightly since after last December’s brief retirement he obviously no longer had the fire in the belly, and without Mullen and Tim Tebow he looked much less like a coaching genius. As one fan noted, now with a new coach they get new energy, new optimism and no more Steve Addazio as O-ccordinator. So, going forward, Georgia fans might end up missing Meyer more than you’d think.
As for Mullen, you’ve got to figure he’d jump at the chance to coach at Florida. Why stay in Starkville when you can have possibly the best coaching job in America? Yes, expectations are very high in Gainesville, where as Steve Spurrier has noted 10 wins are probably no longer enough to satisfy the fan base. But Mullen seems like a pretty confident guy and isn’t likely to be fazed by that.
Now, of course, Mullen might not be Jeremy Foley’s first choice. There’s been speculation he might take another run at Bob Stoops, though that would seem quite a longshot. And other names floated include another former Meyer assistant, Louisville’s Charlie Strong, along with Utah’s Kyle Whittingham and Arkansas’ Bobby Petrino. Some lists throw Boise State’s Chris Petersen and former NFL coach Jon Gruden into the mix as well.
But you’ve got to figure Mullen tops the list because, in addition to his Florida connections and looking like a perfect fit for the job, it also would remove him from the bank of potential rival coaches. The chances of him staying for the long haul in Starkville seem pretty slim. And if the top job were to come open in Athens after next season and Mullen hadn’t yet made a move from Mississippi State, he’d likely top Greg McGarity’s search list.
Personally, I’m hoping Richt turns things around and it doesn’t come to that. I like him as a person and as a coach, and I really don’t want the program to have to go through a coaching change.
But I’ve got to agree with those who say a re-energized Florida program minus a coach who’d lost his mojo doesn’t bode well for UGA’s prospects in Jacksonville and the SEC East. What do you think?
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216 comments Add your comment
Go Dawgs!
December 9th, 2010
2:32 pm
An interesting name that’s being mentioned here in Jax is Kerwin Bell. He’s done an outstanding job with JU WITHOUT scholarships. All of his players are walk-ons and while it’s D-1AA FCS or whatever they’re calling it these days he won the Pioneer League championship for the 2nd time in 3yrs with a 10-1 record and led the nation in that division in total offense. He’s definitely a coach on the rise and a great x’s and o’s guy. Again not bad considering he’s had to do it with walk-ons a fact that is starting to get him noticed. Maybe a little soon for the UF job, but who knows.
shankit
December 9th, 2010
2:32 pm
Believe me, Florida is in total disarray.
A Florida recruiter was at our local high school,
speaking with our coaches about certain players,
promoting Florida’s program, and receives a text
message during the promotion session, and says
“I can’t believe it, Urban has just resigned.”
Urban had coaches out recruiting for Florida’s program
and they did not even know he was resigning.
Naturally, the recruiter was at a loss for words.
What a piece of crap, Urban is.
Now, the Florida recruiters don’t even know if they
will be around next year under a new coach.
Believe me, it will take years to overcome this
disaster.
Dawghater
December 9th, 2010
2:32 pm
Everyone copy down all the blogs today saying UGA’s “going on a run next year”, “we will win the SEC”, etc, etc, etc. On the few occasions UGA beat a Div. One opponent this year you heard all the hype all over again. We can copy these and paste them back in next year when all the same bloggers are whining about CMR, Boob Boo and Grantham. I’ve never see a fan base so whining and so arrogant the next week. Figure it out, you didn’t beat a winning program in 2010.
gomdawg
December 9th, 2010
2:33 pm
Enter your comments here
gomdawg
December 9th, 2010
2:35 pm
2011 DAWGS , QB THAT GOING TO BE GREAT WOW WHAT THE NEXT 3 YEARS IS GOING TO BE FUN.
DIZZY DAWG
December 9th, 2010
2:40 pm
Wait till next year! Sorry, I meant the year after that one or maybe the next one after that. My bad.
King Gator
December 9th, 2010
2:44 pm
The next HBC will be… doesn’t matter, Dawgs will still be pwned by the Gators! Good luck Urban. Go Gators!
gomdawg
December 9th, 2010
2:47 pm
DIZZY DAWGS I HAVE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME , LET’S THINK POSITIVE YOU SEE THE TALENT WE GOT GREAT THINGS ARE FIXING TO HAPPEN AT GEORGIA.
King Gator
December 9th, 2010
2:50 pm
Murray is solid at qb, but take away AJ and add Bobo’s play calling… won’t be as good as Stafford/Moreno yrs.
icedawg
December 9th, 2010
2:52 pm
Urban Meyer is a premier coach. Even Bear Bryant had some lean years. Even JoPa has had lean years. UF will not have difficulty hiring a suitable replacement whoever it is. None of this will affect the longterm situation for any team. UF will still be UF and on everyone’s hit list. I hope for Meyer’s sake that he takes at least a few years off. I am glad that he has kept his reasons mostly to himself. The fans and media need to back off.
Andy in Blairsville
December 9th, 2010
2:55 pm
UGA couldn’t beat the Gators in the 2010 Inept Bowl and there’s no way in hell they will beat FL next year either.
Mean Machine
December 9th, 2010
2:55 pm
Does it really matter? Richt is 2-8 vs. UF, and 2 of those losses were to the Zooker! That’s horrible! UGA won’t start beating UF regularly until they get a better coach.
King Gator
December 9th, 2010
2:57 pm
Meyer will be at Notre Dame as the head coach when his youngest graduates h.s. – that’s my guess anyways. He’ll always be a part of Gator Nation!
Andy in Blairsville
December 9th, 2010
2:57 pm
Look at Urban smiling in that photo with Richt. He’s thinking: the Gators own you and your school’s ass.
uga_fan39
December 9th, 2010
3:06 pm
Why couldn’t CMR follow Urbans lead and do the same ? Go put his efforts towards his religious beliefs and his family. This is college football in the SEC, not some christian summer camp as he treats it. Hence the weak play of his teams. He’s had 10 years with superior talent and has only 2 SEC championships to show for it. Urban Meyer has 2 NC in half that time. We have a cupcake schedule next year, why not bring in someone new and let him get his feet wet with an easy SEC schedule. Hell it couldnt be any worse than the last few years under Richt. Of course this will not happen and as much as i dislike Urban at least he was man enough to know when it was time to check out. Why couldn’t Richt be that much of a man ????
azdawg
December 9th, 2010
3:08 pm
What u sayin? Had AL scored 14 instead of the 6 (2 FG’s) there wouldn’t be any discussion here would there? And I refuse to lower myself to your level by calling you an idiot. You’re probably (u)gay.
how2fish
December 9th, 2010
3:11 pm
Dawghater love the name guess what tough guy the Bull Dog Nation hates you right back.Mark this blog down UF can rebound and press on and not miss a beat, but the more probable outcome is that it take a year or two to right the ship….it took a rookie mistake in O.T with a redshirt freshman QB and a brand new D for UF to win in O.T this year…I don’t think it will happen next year..so hate on and scramble to hold together your recruiting class, coaching staff etc. I wish Urban the best in retirement and can’t wait for the start of the season.
Dawg Fud
December 9th, 2010
3:19 pm
That his replacement beat us instead of him
Let's Talk About UGA!
December 9th, 2010
3:20 pm
DawgNation,
I was just looking at the bowl schedule on ESPN.com.
Next year, let’s shoot for the Helicopter Bowl. That just sounds cool.
We could say, “Our Dawgs are whirling around in the Helicopter Bowl!”
Also, I would feel represented if we made it to the Mobile Home Bowl.
They could hold the Mobile Home Bowl in Mobile, AL.
Anybody want a beer?
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
45-42
December 9th, 2010
3:24 pm
45-42 NEVER forget, Tech owns UGA
(((((45-42)))))
P. Bull Terrier
December 9th, 2010
3:29 pm
So all these years, it’s been Meyer holding Florida back and keeping them from reaching their true potential? That sounds like the claims that UF would be even better after Tebow moved on to the NFL.
I-DOG
December 9th, 2010
3:31 pm
Shank it:
I am not inclined to defend a Gator coach, but what was Meyer going to do? Shhhh, hey guys c’mere. I’m going to resign in about a month, but wanted to tell all my assistants and a few of the big boosters ahead of time so that you guys aren’t surprised. DON’T TELL ANYONE OK?
In the world of facebook and twitter and 24 hour news cycle, the world just doesn’t work that way. When a coach resigns, it is going to be a surprise.
Florida will get plenty of recruits this year. Like the earlier poster so elequontly said. Lets worry about fixing the damaged ship at UGA and not worry about our rivals that have recently won two national titles.
Whopper Dawg
December 9th, 2010
3:35 pm
I used to be an adamant Richt supporter, but it is clear the we will never be able to compete with the upper tier SEC programs as long as he is at the helm. I hate it as I think he is one fine fellow, but change is needed for the football program. Sometimes you have to take a step down to get on a longer ladder.
Surprised
December 9th, 2010
3:39 pm
@ Whopper Dawg who said:
“Sometimes you have to take a step down to get on a longer ladder.”
But UGA’s ladder only goes down.
GT is a 4th rate high school team
December 9th, 2010
3:50 pm
GT is ruled out not rules. hahahahahhahahahahhahaha
Let's Talk About UGA!
December 9th, 2010
3:50 pm
DawgNation,
You guys should really see Mama’s trailer.
Y’all would think Martha Stewart lives here.
We just put a UGA sweater on our plastic gnome in the front yard.
We are the classiest people in the trailer park.
Anybody want a beer?
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!
GT is a 4th rate high school team
December 9th, 2010
3:53 pm
Tech ruled out not rules. Tech owned not owns. HAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAH
Dawg Owner
December 9th, 2010
4:13 pm
18 outta 21.. WE RUN YOUR STATE!
Dawg Owner
December 9th, 2010
4:15 pm
Preacher man has no shot of ever getting the upper hand on UF. He can preach a good sermon, but can’t get the congrgation to follow. 18 outta 21 and counting… No matter who our coach is- WE RUN YOUR STATE!!!
Dawg Owner
December 9th, 2010
4:17 pm
Oh and before I forget… I am sure that THIS YEAR will be the year The Dawgs get back on top. Yeah right, been there-heard that. WE RUN YOUR STATE!!!
Dawg Owner
December 9th, 2010
4:19 pm
Mark Richt had better be thanking the lord for that missed extra point and 5 turnovers he was given to survive GT. If not for that, the only bowling UGA would be doing is at the local lanes. Shoes anyone? WE RUN YOUR STATE!!!
RGator
December 9th, 2010
4:31 pm
Regardless of who is hired, as Urban said “Florida is still Florida” and we will continue to kick your Georgia ass. 18 out of 21 – you figure it out..
Hobnail Boot
December 9th, 2010
4:33 pm
If Mullen is the next coach i think they will be even better with him. Remember, they had one heck of recruiting class sign last year. I think Meyer missed Mullen more than he missed Meyer.
Hobnail Boot
December 9th, 2010
4:35 pm
RGator, what goes around comes back around. Look for UGA to kick your Gator a$$ again.
Hobnail Boot
December 9th, 2010
4:39 pm
It may not be with our current coach but may be one of these that are in the running for the UF job.
404
December 9th, 2010
4:43 pm
Possible Candidates:
Will Muschamp (TX)
Brent Venables (OK)
Josh Huepel (OK)
Dana Holgorsen (OK ST)
Rich Rodriguez (MICHIGAN)
Norm Chow (UCLA)
7576DAWG
December 9th, 2010
5:01 pm
If we contacted Florida and told them Bobo was available how much per year do you think we could get from them to make sure he stayed at UGA ?
bgdawgfan
December 9th, 2010
5:01 pm
I think our problems with UF is in our heads more than playing a better team than us.as evidenced with this years game. We never have our head together in Jax.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 9th, 2010
5:14 pm
If we do not win the East next year
Richt should be let go or take a %50 pay cut
Sorry but with a new coach at FL, Tenn still rebuilding, and not much to worry about with KY and Vandy, SC is the only tough team in the east
Eaassyy
December 9th, 2010
5:18 pm
Tech fans live vicariously through Florida. So funny
7576DAWG
December 9th, 2010
5:26 pm
bgdawgfan
Our teams performance is a reflection of it’s leadership. The problem at UGA is Bobo and CMR’s continual supporting his sub-par performance.
The thing I worry about is if Grantham kicks butt next year then it will mask another sub-par performance by our offense , I don’t care that we scored 30 points per game. The offense has got to win Time of Possession so they can control the clock and that’s Bobo’s fault. UGA had the receivers this year to score 45 points per game .
UGAG is gitting the ncaa death penalty, he he ha ha
December 9th, 2010
5:40 pm
Urban’s departure means it will be some new guy as head coach who beats the crap out of uga year in and year out! Did you ugly mutts like the butt beating Auburn gave to ya? Next year, EVERYONE will be pounding on you like that!
Einsteindawg
December 9th, 2010
5:40 pm
It means that another Gator coach will whip Richt’s butt. Time to clean house in Athens now, ’cause Richt, Bobo, Gardner, Searles, McClendon, Ball, Grantham, Latkos (sp), et al have been stealing our money.
UGAG is gitting the ncaa death penalty, he he ha ha
December 9th, 2010
5:42 pm
Actually the Tech fans luv Auburn the most, seeing how they pounded the ugly mutts to dog meat!
Einsteindawg
December 9th, 2010
5:45 pm
UGAG, does your momma know you’re on the computer again? Time to get those slide rules and Flair pens out and finish your homework before you can go to DragonCon.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 9th, 2010
5:47 pm
Its amazing how a tech fan in UGAG has to pretend he pulls for another team, so he and mommy can play the make believe game of we beat UGA
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
December 9th, 2010
5:49 pm
7576DAWG
I will be honest with you, if our defense shows no improvement against UCF next year will be a long year
A year where we should win the east
Einsteindawg
December 9th, 2010
5:54 pm
Hey Flat…as I always said, “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is insanity”. What have you seen in Grantham’s defense that gives you encouragement?
Randy Marsh
December 9th, 2010
5:58 pm
UGA is doomed even more in this series if Dan Mullen takes the job. We made UF look like the ’80’s 49er’s this year and everybody else made them look like fools. Meyer staying would’ve been much better than him leaving. I hope they get someone else, but they’d be idiots to not go after him hard.
Olesouthgacoach
December 9th, 2010
6:00 pm
All the so call experts who think CMR should be replaced should think about replaceing Pres Adams and get someone to change Ga admission policy for players. My school most years had 1 to 3 div1 prospects but when Ga recruiters came by to check records they never came back. One SEC recruiter told me Ga admission policy left Ga recruiting only the top 20 to25 percent of graduating seniors. Thats why SC has 33 Ga boys on their team. Ga is on par with Vandy and Duke and look where they are every year. I remember when Dooly brought the NW coach to Athens to sign a contract but backed out when told about the admission policy, Ga was stuck with Donnan. I have heard Saban has in his contract with Bama that he has the last word on admission of his recruits. What quality coach would come to Ga with its policy if CMR left. I had one one recruiter tell me Ga could have the top 20 percent of seniors and he would take the bottom 80 and beat Ga 9 out 10 times. It doesn’t speak well for Gas future.