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
Reid Adair
December 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
Mark, you’re right. This is another example of a reminder that, despite what some may think, it’s just a game. Family, personal health and many other things are much more important.
I wish Urban Meyer good health and the best of luck going forward.
Charley Pell
December 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
If was still alive, I would be the first to come back!
Bobbi Dud
December 26th, 2009
10:59 pm
Philip Fulmer in the Sun Shine state Smiling like a possum!
messin with sasquatch
December 26th, 2009
11:01 pm
wonder if he will pull a billy donovan………
Meanwhile...how does Mark navigate the new landscape?
December 26th, 2009
11:02 pm
Mark we attempt to tread lightly here, fully aware of the delicate sensibilities that might be upset when discussing the machinations of the inner sanctum. But how exactly, if we may ask, are you summoned to the task at hand when stories like this break?
Are you sitting at the television, enjoying yet another Meineke Car Care Bowl classic, when the story breaks, and thus feel compelled to weigh in as the self proclaimed blogging fool of the AJC?
Does the AJC have a Blog Signal, like Gotham’s Bat Signal that flashes in the night to summon you?
Or is it like being the proverbial fireman, on call for 48 hour shifts, come what may?
Does Brad Childress text you the blog topic, after the whistle blows on the last blog topic?
And speaking of Childress, if something truly important comes up, like overtime in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, or a Junior Samples retrospective on the History Channel, are you allowed to call an audible and post later?
Rest assured Mark, there is nothing more sinister afoot than idle curiosity in the asking.
The Other Saint Simons
December 26th, 2009
11:02 pm
R.I.P. Corch Irvin Mayas….
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:02 pm
Sometimes I see stories break and I volunteer to were something, Meanwhile. Sometimes the desk folks call and ask. Tonight was the latter. I hadn’t heard about Urban Meyer until I got the call.
Jim Ragan
December 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
As a UGA fan, best to Urban Meyer in his future endeavours. With two National Championships as a coach, he has nothing left to prove-he will be successful no matter what life’s road he enters next.
From Dan Wetzel
December 26th, 2009
11:03 pm
Urban Meyer did everything fast in his career. That includes, perhaps, walking away from the game.
Chad
December 26th, 2009
11:05 pm
“Sometimes I see stories break and I volunteer to were something, Meanwhile. Sometimes the desk folks call and ask. Tonight was the latter. I hadn’t heard about Urban Meyer until I got the call.”
Mark
I think you have stress from that last post. LOL. Maybe you need a break.
Chad
December 26th, 2009
11:06 pm
Mark from that last post, I think you may have some stress. Or just sleep deprived. Get some rest!!
messin with sasquatch
December 26th, 2009
11:07 pm
it is only fair that meyer step away now that bowden has quit. tech is now beating uo on the noles, maybe doggs have a chance against g8rs now.
Dawg Whisperer
December 26th, 2009
11:09 pm
Longevity comes with applying life values as you go in whatever you do for living. Mark Richt has it right. Even college football is more than wins and losses.
Lane Kiffin
December 26th, 2009
11:10 pm
The cheater is gone….
Meanwhile...Mark channels Gandalf
December 26th, 2009
11:10 pm
Thanks for answering Mark. I was curious if the sports fan/blogging fool in you just can’t resist weighing in when news like this breaks. Now something that I’m not sure you can even answer, is how you answered the question before it even showed up on the blog?
That there’s some powerful magic you’re messin’ with there Mark!
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:11 pm
That was an answer to Meanwhile’s question, Chad. Sorry if I was unclear.
Barron Hughes
December 26th, 2009
11:13 pm
Yes of course we all wish him well, but please everyone has stress in their lives and for $4M a year what does he expect. I would love to take that kind of stress for $4M/year. Please do not make Meyer a martar for “Doing the right thing”.
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:13 pm
And if anyone thinks Meyer quit because he was losing some good players … come on. The guy won at Utah.
Paul in RDU
December 26th, 2009
11:15 pm
Epaminondas @ 10:46 pm
You are saying that Meyer is being a jerk for announcing his resignation before the bowl game. That’s nuts.
Once Meyer had made the decision to resign, the honorable, professional act is to tell the AD so that he can start looking for a replacement.
Coaches are recruiting right now. A real jerk would be signing HS kids knowing that they were not going to be there.
Gary
December 26th, 2009
11:15 pm
From a Dawg fan I wish him many years of better health. Sometimes we all have to remember its just a game and there are more important things in life. I am sure he shares that same sentiment and his family is the #1 team he needs to worry about. Prayers for good health to Coach Meyer.
SemperFi
December 26th, 2009
11:17 pm
Come on Mark. Meyer quit because he couldn’t see a better time to quit
willie martinez
December 26th, 2009
11:20 pm
” to were something”?
Bobbi Dud
December 26th, 2009
11:21 pm
Come on Paul Johnson…you could win with Meyer’s bench players! Tech can’t pay you and Hewitt !
SemperFi
December 26th, 2009
11:23 pm
Charlie Strong leaving (an excellent recruiter), Tebow leaving (good selling point), lost the SEC Championship to what most UF fans thought was an inferior team, below expectation-type year and below average recruiting class
DaveDawg96
December 26th, 2009
11:24 pm
Wonder if he’s going to be the next head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, coaching Tim Tebow?
willie martinez
December 26th, 2009
11:24 pm
to be serious, and i dont like to be, college football will be the less until meyer takes on another program.
Urban Meyer
December 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
I just cant stay without my boy
Caller
December 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
Hello? Mark Bradley? Yo… what up MB Dog? Corch Meyers just quit. What does that mean for UGA? Will Mack Brown flip the script and become a Bulldog?
Yes, you heard me right. Corch Meyers just quit. Post something, dadgummit!
P.S. Utah Rocks!
willie martinez
December 26th, 2009
11:25 pm
save the timeouts from last year, meyer seemed to be a class guy. compair that to kiffin.
SemperFi
December 26th, 2009
11:26 pm
Dam Dave, interesting…
sam
December 26th, 2009
11:27 pm
Maybe Tebo leaving gave him a low feeling….Go Dawgs
2N4YEARS
December 26th, 2009
11:29 pm
I can’t help to wonder how long it will be before Meyer coaches again. I believe Meyer thought this year he was going to lead Florida to their 1st undefeated season ever and another NC, since they were returning 21 of 22 starters from the ‘08 NC team, and when those plans fell apart in the SEC Championship game he was stuck with the reality that, although talented, he would be starting off from scratch next year. Face it: Meyer had nowhere to go but down at Florida as for acoplishments. And we all know he has too much ego to sit 2nd tier to anyone –or any other program. It may be years, if ever, before he won another NC. So with millions in the bank he can rest until he feels ready to go again, with the right opprotunity, of coase. There’s no doubt he has some health concerns, but upon his own admitance, this has been something he’s known about since ‘00-’01 –well before he ever took on the Florida job. And I’m not saying that being a CFB coach in the top conference in the land doesn’t cause stress, because it does, and can & will take it’s toll. What I am saying is that this may well be his ‘resting’ period — before he returns in 3-4 years. Once a coach, always a coach.
willie martinez
December 26th, 2009
11:30 pm
Mark, you working on a follow up?
Bill
December 26th, 2009
11:34 pm
Mark another great job!
I had heart surgery at 53 after coaching in HS 33 years. Didn’t know I had a problem till play-offs in 1996.
If you care about your beautiful family and yourself go get checked every year. God Bless.
U gotta be kidding me
December 26th, 2009
11:35 pm
Hey Ga IDIOTS——-Please don’t throw stupid DOOLEY in the mix with great SEC coache slike Spurrier, Bryany and Meyer.
Get a grip—you had one RN in 1980 and nothing else—-EVER
CLEVON LITTLE
December 26th, 2009
11:36 pm
Excuse me while I whip this out.
My resignation papers
Sincerely,
Urban Meyer
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:38 pm
I saw it in the spam queue, Meanwhile. Why it went there I know not. But that explains the lag, I hope.
chazzo
December 26th, 2009
11:38 pm
Bottom line. His O coordinator left, Tebow’s graduating, and his D coordinator is gone. He’s getting out on top.
The Truth Hurts
December 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
At least the AJC will have something to write about for the next two weeks.
There are some things bigger than a game? Say it ain’t so! Times like these, national tragedies indeed, I’m glad we have bloggers to remind us.
I’m happy that all the ‘necks will be able to have something to discuss on sports talk radio for the forseeable future. Big weight off my chest.
I’ll look for the Sun in the East tomorrow morning….but I’m not sure it’ll be there.
Hillbilly Deluxe
December 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
Believe it or not, there’s some things in this world more important than college football. Good luck to Urban.
quaildawg
December 26th, 2009
11:39 pm
Hate to see this turn of events. As a Dawg I wanted to compete against Urban’s Gators when the stars weren’t fully aligned (Tebow whom he didn’t even recruit but was the perfect fit for his O) to see how Dawgs stacked up. Guess we will never know.
This is the point that no one seems to be addressing regarding this. UF is a monster that thanks to Spurrier has to be fed and fed big time. (See Zook and now the toil on Meyer to maintain this level) this is no slam dunk for the next potential coach. Expectations are NC or nothing. Evidence one loss this year, Sugar Bowl trip and the UF base is not happy (see poor ticket sales).
This is a very hard job and will not be an easy fit for whoever gets the nod.
willie martinez
December 26th, 2009
11:41 pm
queue. such a nice british word.
willie martinez
December 26th, 2009
11:42 pm
Mark, you mentioned Dave Kindred earlier tonight. Is he still writing?
SemperFi
December 26th, 2009
11:42 pm
Um… thanks Mark
Eye Spikin' is wrong
December 26th, 2009
11:43 pm
This is for Corch Meyers. Good riddance to U.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys3JMQXI8II
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:44 pm
And no, CWM, I am not working on a follow. Working on going to sleep. My final day of work of 2009 is tomorrow.
2N4YEARS
December 26th, 2009
11:44 pm
chazzo, You basically summarized my book (above).
Thanks for making it ’short & sweet’.
willie martinez
December 26th, 2009
11:45 pm
Sounds good. I’ve got the week off too.
2N4YEARS
December 26th, 2009
11:47 pm
U gotta be kidding me
A little bitter are we, ehe?
I hear Zook may come back for the right $$$
Merry Christmas
willie martinez
December 26th, 2009
11:47 pm
i dont think we have to go to Mass since we went on Christmas Eve so I’m sleeping late.