Urban Meyer reminds us there are bigger things than games
Urban Meyer near the end of the SEC championship game. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
The funniest thing Vince Dooley ever said wasn’t funny at the time. It was as serious as a coronary. Because that’s what Dooley thought he was having.
Oct. 17, 1987: Georgia had contrived to fall two touchdowns behind in Nashville, and the head coach began having chest pains. And Dooley said to himself: “I’m having a heart attack, and we’re losing to Vanderbilt.”
The next day he was at Emory, where he would undergo angioplasty. He was back on the sideline the next Saturday, when the Bulldogs — who had rallied to beat the Commodores one week after losing narrowly to Tommy Hodson and LSU — would need a late touchdown to subdue Kentucky. Some life, huh?
“We won one for the ticker,” a merry Loran Smith said afterward, but it must be noted that Vincent Joseph Dooley coached his last game not 15 months later. At age 56. And he’s still alive today.
The best coach in the country is stepping aside not to coach somewhere else but simply not to coach. Urban Meyer is 45. He’s a high-energy guy. Big-name college coaches have to be. A big-name college coach gets home late and leaves early. He recruits and he coaches and he schmoozes with alums and he briefs the media and he answers the 2 a.m. calls that inform him one of his players has done something silly.
Yeah, the big-name coaches make a ton of money, but they live a life of stress beyond measure. As skilled as Urban Meyer is, would we view him quite the same today if his Gators hadn’t blocked that South Carolina field goal back in 2006? (He’d have been 0-2 against Spurrier and the 2006 Gators wouldn’t have won the BCS title and if they don’t win the first one maybe there’s not a second one.)
The point being: Big-name coaches are all control freaks, and yet they exist in a realm where so much cannot be controlled. The wonder isn’t that one of them has been suffering health problems. The wonder is that they all don’t.
Being human, Georgia fans will view Meyer’s leaving as the sound of a window opening. And it well may be. But before we get excited about what might (or might not) happen on the field, we need to pause to consider these sobering circumstances: Here’s a man at the peak of his profession, a man with two BCS titles, a man not yet 50 … and he’s walking away because he felt to keep coaching was to die young.
It was reported that Meyer had checked into a Gainesville hospital the day after Florida lost the SEC title game to Alabama for what was called “dehydration.” We now know that he’d been having chest pains. We now know those chest pains were dire enough to drive him away from the best job in the country, and that’s about as dire as it gets.
All coaches are strivers — striving for the next big win, the next big job, the next big trophy. Urban Meyer had won everything there was to win, but when the doctor shows you the cardiogram, all that striving and winning becomes a secondary concern. Job 1 is to stay alive.
Because this is a sports column, we need pay some attention to sports. Who’ll be next as the head Gator? Well, Charlie Strong just left for Louisville and Dan Mullen is coming off his first year in Starkville. Would they be interested in turning around so soon? Would Bob Stoops’ interest be piqued this time? Would Chris Petersen leave Boise for Gainesville? Is Gary Patterson of TCU an option?
I don’t know the answers. Ninety minutes ago, I didn’t know Florida would be looking for a coach. And to be honest, I’m not really thinking about the next coach just yet. I’m thinking about Urban Meyer.
We’ve had some fun with him in this space over time, but there was never a doubt he was a talent and a force. (His game-planning for Ohio State in the desert in January 2007 was coaching at its finest.) And now he’s leaving the job of jobs at age 45. If that doesn’t make you think, you don’t have a heart.
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657 comments Add your comment
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2009
9:00 pm
Think June would bring Jerry?
Dawgs97
December 26th, 2009
9:00 pm
As has been said by several folks, Foley will want tl hire an offensive coach. Stoops is the exception because he’s proven as a head coach.
My gut feeling is that Dan Mullen will be the next Florida head coach.
Who knows?
December 26th, 2009
9:00 pm
Does a gouged eye qualify as a “health concern”?
Frank Wren
December 26th, 2009
9:01 pm
What about Jerry Glanville?
Ron902
December 26th, 2009
9:01 pm
How about the current coach at Utah he run the same type of offense that Myers ran at Fla.
Tim Tebow
December 26th, 2009
9:02 pm
No, Mr. Charlie. He’s coming to coach me.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2009
9:02 pm
If Urban has any say, it will be Mullen.
Frank Lane
December 26th, 2009
9:03 pm
Something does not make sense here. I have had a heart attack, and have six stints, all installed at different times. One does not go to the hospital multiple times with chest pains today. You go once. If nothing shows on the cardiogram, you go home and take antacid. If something looks funny, they do an angiogram immediately, find out whats wrong and go in and fix it. You are back to normal in a few days.
It will be interesting to see what develops.
Billy Bob Dawg
December 26th, 2009
9:03 pm
Does this mean he won’t be taking the Defensive coordinator job in Athens?
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
9:03 pm
I can imagine there’s a lot of scrambling in Starkville tonight. MSU folks had better get ready.
Cuz
December 26th, 2009
9:03 pm
How about Chan Gailey? I bet he would be on a Greyhound tomorrow for a chance at UF.
dagnabit
December 26th, 2009
9:04 pm
I’m certainly going to miss Urban. I suppose that now Tennessee will be the beast of the east.
Da Bug
December 26th, 2009
9:04 pm
I have great respect for Urban Meyer and wish him well but to put him in the league with Bryant and Dooley?? After just 5 years? You must be much younger and immature than I thought. You earn Bryant and Dooley status after at least 20 years at a school with a sustained record of accomplishment. A good coach, yes, a legend, not so fast.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2009
9:04 pm
Frank, you are 100% correct, there is more to this story.
BnB
December 26th, 2009
9:05 pm
Any coach would be on a Greyhound to coach FLA. It’s arguably the best job in college football…and I’m an Auburn/Clemson fan. It’s just a simple fact.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2009
9:06 pm
Well, maybe not Dooly or Bryant, only because he was only there 5 years, but 2 National Championships does gets you to the hall.
BnB
December 26th, 2009
9:06 pm
You think Tiger Woods fits into this story somehow?;)
slobodan
December 26th, 2009
9:06 pm
Wouldn’t Spurrier love to coach Gators’ qb John Reeves?
jellybeandawg
December 26th, 2009
9:06 pm
As much as I dislike loosing to Urban and the Gators I never wanted to see him step down because of something as serious as health issues. I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.
Johnny D
December 26th, 2009
9:06 pm
I’m wondering if Jeremy called Stoops before the announcement. Surely, he’d be more inclined to go this time around. He’s at the top of a short list, with, I would think, Shanahan second again. Don’t forget Kyle Whittingham. And, just for kicks, what of an encore return by Spurrier?
Dawgtime
December 26th, 2009
9:07 pm
I wish he and and his family well. Life is much more important than a game. Go DAWGS.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2009
9:07 pm
BnB, I would not be so sure about that, ever been go Gainesville? I don’t see Pete Carrol making the move.
TampaGator
December 26th, 2009
9:07 pm
Nice article, Mark, especially from someone who has written unflattering comments about the man. But it is a sad night for all Gator fans. But we all wish Urban Meyer a return to health and happiness that being with family will bring him. The Gator program will survive Meyer leaving and will continue to be successful, whomever comes to be the head coach in Gainesville. And top recruits will come whenever the new coach is named. But, for now, we wish Urban to best in the future after what had to be the hardest decision he has ever made in his life…leaving the program he loves so much…and more importantly, the players he loves and has committed himself so much to. Urban Meyer is and will always be a big part of Gator Nation.
JJDawg
December 26th, 2009
9:07 pm
This is about a man, his family, and his life! Football is pales in comparison. Even as a Georgia fan I respect Urban Myer for his talent and accomplishments. With the possible exception of the “time-out”, I think he has conducted himself with dignity and honor. I, for one, will pray for the best for him and his family.
Why did Meyer quit?
December 26th, 2009
9:07 pm
Until today, here’s what I thought. I thought he would quit coaching Florida after 2009. I didn’t think he’d want any part of trying to rebuild Florida after 2009 after all the players and coaches bolted. I thought when he thought about the rebuilding process, and going up against Richt for the next 4 years, he would figure he wouldn’t win a lot and yet the toll on him would be a lot of stress and not much to show for it for the next 4 years. Until today’s news, that’s what I thought. After today’s news, who knows what to think about why Meyer quit. I always thought he’d quit coaching the Gators after 2009, but I didn’t think he’d give this reason- poor health. Some guys just arn’t cut out for being a head coach in the SEC over the long term. Guys like Richt are long term marathoners, guys like Meyer are short term sprinters. Meyer made the right decision to quit coaching the Gators after 2009. I support his decision and wish him the best.
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
9:07 pm
I don’t think there’s any arguing about it, BnB. Florida is the best job in the country. Even when the Gators had never won an SEC title, Paul W. Bryant said: “If they get the right man there, they’ll win for 20 years.”
JTH
December 26th, 2009
9:08 pm
Of course this is good news for the rest of the SEC and NCAA.
Good luck Urban.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2009
9:08 pm
Spurirer, now that would be interesting, but I don’t think he would be interested at this stage in his life.
John
December 26th, 2009
9:09 pm
Thanks for blogging about this Mark. Im glad someone there at the ajc earns their pay.
Jacksonville Pete
December 26th, 2009
9:09 pm
Knowing folks in the program, I’m told that this is the reason he didn’t take his avowed “dream job” at Notre Dame. He would have done great things in South Bend, I wish him well.
dagnabit
December 26th, 2009
9:09 pm
Tubberville would do great at Florida. So would Gary Patterson.
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
9:10 pm
Spurrier isn’t going back to Florida. He won’t even get a call.
Steve Carter
December 26th, 2009
9:11 pm
how about this one for the job…Jon Gruden?
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
9:11 pm
Steve, I think the folks in Florida might have seen enough of Jon Gruden to know better.
Dawgs97
December 26th, 2009
9:12 pm
Florida will hire someone still relativedly young…like Stoops, Mullen or Strong, or the next tier being Chris Peterson, Patterson or the Utah coach. Spurrier is in the twilight of his career now and Tuberville, while an excellent coach, is also older then Foley maybe looking.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2009
9:12 pm
Gruden is the next John Madden, he will not coach again. It is just too easy for him.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2009
9:13 pm
I don’t see them going re-tread.
Coach Richt
December 26th, 2009
9:14 pm
Hey if you can’t beat them join them I would love to coach there..
Steve Carter
December 26th, 2009
9:14 pm
LOL ok ok y’all got me…how about this name? Terry Bowden
slobodan
December 26th, 2009
9:14 pm
I think Jeremy Foley would consider Spurrier; especially if he brought the South Carolina defensive coordinator with him.
TampaGator
December 26th, 2009
9:14 pm
Even ESPN says Florida, USC, and Texas are the three top programs in college football. Every major college coach, other than those three coaches would be interested in the job…except Richt. He is not good enough.
Doesn't matter who Florida gets...
December 26th, 2009
9:15 pm
Richt will dominate over the next 4 years, regardless of whether it’s Stoops, or anyone else. They’ll need a few years to build their program. It’s Richt’s time. It was Richt’s time anyways without Meyer stepping down, it’s just a re-affirmation of the window for Georgia we all sensed was opening wide anyways. Bottom line–doesn’t matter a hill of beans who Florida gets—it’s Richt’s time. Call it destiny, whatever, sometimes things just line up.
brewdawg
December 26th, 2009
9:15 pm
This just in: Willie Martinez to be named next Head Coach at Florida.
Willie Martinez
December 26th, 2009
9:16 pm
You don’t even have to ask, Florida. The answer is yes. I’d be honored to be your next head coach.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2009
9:16 pm
CMR’s got it made.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2009
9:17 pm
CMR will never voluntarily leave Athens.
Frank Wren
December 26th, 2009
9:17 pm
Ray Goff perhaps?
Saint Dawg>>>
December 26th, 2009
9:18 pm
TROUBLE IN GATOR LAND…!!!Theres more to this folks,the Paul Harvey will come out…And i thought we had problems without a DC..GO DAWGS!!we may get to eat some GATOR meat next year..
slobodan
December 26th, 2009
9:19 pm
Urban Meyer did a great job. Especially with his handling of special teams..But it’s no secret that the biggest loss is the defensive coordination…You can say what you want, but it’s been Florida’s defense that has had them dominating the last two years.
Why did Meyer quit?
December 26th, 2009
9:19 pm
According to Florida’s spokesperson, Meyer did not quit due to health reasons, they said he had no life-threatening health situation, it was more about his lifestyle and ability to manage stress.