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
Lou Holtz
December 27th, 2009
12:43 am
Those kids were a pep talk away from a NC this year. If only I was there…
John
December 27th, 2009
12:43 am
1 Gator game last year, it was shown on TV looked like Urban threw up on the side lines or was sick. Urban looked like he has lost alot of weight the last couple months too.
Cali Dawg
December 27th, 2009
12:45 am
I think Willie Martinez would be a great fit at Florida for at least the DC.
jojatek
December 27th, 2009
12:46 am
God bless Urban Meyer for having the foresight (and the courage) to take a timeout…
Spurrier will return to Gainesville… you can bet that those discussions are already taking place. He will negotiate a graceful exit from Columbia (both sides know, at this point, that recruiting at USC is just too tall a hurdle for anyone…) and make a triumphant return to UF, where he will win one more SEC Championship (no national championship this time… the hunger for that level of success is gone from Spurrier…). After that, he will retire from football and go out the way he always dreamed of going out… with the Redskins and Gamecocks long forgotten, and his beloved Gators champions once again…
Buckle up, Bulldog Nation… the “Ole Ball Coach” is comin’ back…
U gotta be kidding me
December 27th, 2009
12:47 am
Please
jojatek
December 27th, 2009
12:49 am
Enter your comments here
Even Lou Duva couldn't get Lou Holtz ready
December 27th, 2009
12:51 am
Lou Costello would be taken more seriously than Lou Holtz at this point.
Speaking of which, a hilarious audiotape has just been discovered of a previously unknown Abbot and Costello show, with a routine soon to be considered more classic than their famous Who’s on First? routine.
It’s called Wilie Martinez, Defensive Coordinator?
uuughh...
December 27th, 2009
12:57 am
Meyer stepping down is literally asking God for a time out up by 40. I hope he lives…but I still despise Florida and moreso every one of their fans.
Cornelius Washington
December 27th, 2009
12:59 am
Meyer really looks older than 45….good thing he is resigning.
Cobb Dawg
December 27th, 2009
1:10 am
I wish Meyer and his family all the best. He has done himself, UF, and the SEC proud. I hope that UGA fans will give him his due respect, although I fully expect some from other schools to slam him. Mostly ones from insignicant schools like UT.
Cobb Dawg
December 27th, 2009
1:14 am
insignificant before some UT moron jumps on it.
jojatek
December 27th, 2009
1:14 am
God bless Urban Meyer for having the foresight (and courage) to call a timeout…
My bet: Spurrier will return to Gainesville and lead the Gators to another SEC Championship (I don’t think that he has the drive necessary to win another National Championship, but I wouldn’t rule that out either…) and, after that, he will retire from football. To make this happen, he will negotiate a graceful exit from Columbia (both sides know by now that he cannot recruit the kids he needs to make his system work at USC), then return triumphantly to The Swamp and go out the way he always dreamed: The Redskins and Gamecocks long forgotten… the Gators as champions once again… and Steve Spurrier riding out of that stadium one last time on the shoulders of the players who (in his mind) will carry on his legacy at the University of Florida…
I don’t know how it will happen, but it will happen… it’s a storyline filled with drama that is simply too incredible to ignore…
Buckle up, Bulldog Nation… the ‘Ole Ball Coach’ is comin’ back…
shane#1
December 27th, 2009
1:16 am
Cuz, Know what’s outside of Ludowici? Nothing! I think Urban’s health issues may run deeper than we have been told. I suggest that all CFB fans say a prayer for him. A great coach is always missed, no matter what team one supports.
u cant make it up
December 27th, 2009
1:17 am
hahahaha, just getting in and I already was aware of Meyer’s resignation but wanted to check and see how many comments posted before CPJ’s name mentioned and low and behold it was 2nd one right off the bat. You know Bradley, you tried as hard as you could to get CPJ in South Bend why not campaign for him this time around? BTW, you already have the GT juniors in he NFL, I’m betting that not going your way either.
u cant make it up
December 27th, 2009
1:18 am
speaking of morons, you dogpoops ever get off your backides and hit the gym? Or do u live on here 24/7?
Johnny DangerDawg
December 27th, 2009
1:19 am
It’s wise of Urban Meyer to put his health before his career. It’s sad his didn’t put Tebow’s health before his career. Good thing Tebow didn’t take a shot to the head when Meyer let him return from that concussion a week too early.
Urban Meyer reminds us there are bigger things than games | Mark … | Georgia Today
December 27th, 2009
1:20 am
[...] See the original post: Urban Meyer reminds us there are bigger things than games | Mark … [...]
jojatek
December 27th, 2009
1:21 am
Spurrier.
RED DOG 77
December 27th, 2009
1:23 am
CUZ……Gotta like that Galin Hall idea, oops did I spell his name correctly? Oh well, brilliant though and you gotta know tthe Gator faithful would be all over that one………..GO GALIN !!!
RED DOG 77
December 27th, 2009
1:24 am
Hall !!
jojatek
December 27th, 2009
1:27 am
Steve Spurrier.
jojatek
December 27th, 2009
1:27 am
It will happen…
T. McFarlin
December 27th, 2009
1:27 am
Mark,
A great perspective on Urban Meyer and his decision. Well said and on target.
jojatek
December 27th, 2009
1:31 am
Urban Meyer showed great foresight and courage… no question about it…
Spurrier negotiates a graceful exit from Columbia and returns triumphantly to the Swamp, where he goes out a champion once again (with the Redskins and Gamecocks long forgotten).
djawjuh
December 27th, 2009
1:33 am
I’m amazed at some of the posted comments. No wonder this country is in trouble with such idiots totally lacking in sensitivity to the travails of the human condition. I’m a Georgia fan. I’ve been so all my seventy some years. Recruited in the days when it was legal. Put one or two into red and black. I take second seat to no one in my love for Georgia. But to ignore and denigrate the plight of man that has to retire at age 45 because he’s physically incapable of coaching anymore? What is wrong with these people, these mental dwarfs? I think it absolutely disgusting, reprehensible and IGNORANT to treat this story as an us vs. them situation. For shame! WTF are you thinking, you dumb bells?????????? I’m ashamed of those who say they love the DAWGS and are totally insensitive to this man, this human being’s situation.. They don’t deserve to say they love Georgia. If I knew who they were, I wouldn’t sit on the same row with them. They are disgusting vermin.
Did I like Meyer? Absolutely not. He beat us like a tom-tom except in 2007. But he’s a great football coach, a great organizer, an amazing recruiter. There is no question about that. Two NCs? Nobody else has done it in the BCS system.
Sail on Urban with health and happiness. God love you. And if you come back, I hope we beat your butt. Amen.
Dawg4Life
December 27th, 2009
1:33 am
As a lifelong Dawg fan i am hoping for the best in this situation for UM. I hope that at some point in his life he is able to return to the sideline full time. He is not my favorite coach but he seems like a nice guy.
jojatek
December 27th, 2009
1:33 am
Spurrier. Goodnight.
P. Bull Terrier
December 27th, 2009
1:37 am
Just as I believe I should respect the office of the President of the United States, even if I don’t care for the man who holds the position; as a UGA fan, I hate the Coach of the University of Florida, but have no ill will toward the man who holds the position. I hope Urban Meyer is able to restore his health and return to coaching in a nice position outside the SEC.
With that said, I wonder how much the prospects of playing next season without Tebow and his fellow Senior classmates, as well as most of the best Juniors on the team, played into Meyer’s decision. If he was going to be tough to match the level of success he’s had up to this point. I’m sure his health was a factor, but I wonder if Meyer looked at next year’s team and said to himself, “We’re going to be lucky to win 8 games in 2010 and some of the fans will be calling for my resignation before it’s over. Walking out on top might be the best career move I can make.”
Reggie
December 27th, 2009
2:00 am
P. Bull Terrier
Did you respect our president of previous 8 years? . Why does UGA fans always bring ignorant south Ga logic every subject. The Gators will still own you, no matter who is the coach.
longtimedawgfan
December 27th, 2009
2:01 am
Meyer is a very intense individual…not much, if any, fun about him…combined with the loss of this year’s seniors, no DC, an OC with one year of experience, the amount of time he expended worrying and recruiting when everything was “running smoothly”, you can only imagine how the new stress impacted the perfectionist that Meyer is….the price of chasing perfection in a high stakes profession is too high for most people….Meyer proved it….
UGA804ever
December 27th, 2009
2:04 am
Hey dawgs!! Get all the coaches in the SEC to retire and y’all still won’t win! Guess what there wasn’t a SEC championship in the 80’s!! Y’all will still tremble when u meet the new UF coach! Go ahead what the hell will be y’all excuse now????? Get ya Indy bowl G! Keep it ral in tha shreve and make sure u representin for the UGA! Get ya Boykin on dawgs!
innocent bystander
December 27th, 2009
2:05 am
Mark this is a great analysis of a stunning development. And the post by Dawg DMD is a very admirable summary of what many of us are feeling. I wish I could say that Christmas produced some good will from me toward Urban and the Gators. Sadly it did not. But this does. There are certainly bigger things than football.We all know that but we don’t FEEL it to be so often enough.Coach Meyer’s resignation and his resignation for this reason helps us to act like grown-ups.
UGA804ever
December 27th, 2009
2:08 am
Shaiiat I’m just chlllin with richt in this biaatch!
UGA804ever
December 27th, 2009
2:11 am
Cuz cuz 4 real listen to this uga is going to get any d-2 cord they want!! They gotz the pickz of the liter!!
Shieldy
December 27th, 2009
2:14 am
I imagine Foley has checked into the same hospital tonight!! The rest of the SEC is having a cocktail!!
UGA804ever
December 27th, 2009
2:14 am
Shiaatzz shreveporty is 2 legit to quit!! Man the wafflle house off exit 26 is da bomb!! Boykin will sign autos at that location postgame
uuughh...
December 27th, 2009
2:20 am
Listen, according to Meyer’s previous record…a heart attack would produce a half games’s absense. With a possible 26 halfgames…no way he could survive a whoe season. I wouldn’t be suprised if he cited the celebration penalty as one of the causes of his resignation…after all “it will be forever in the mind of the Florida Gators and forever in the mind of Urban Meyer.” Maybe now that the Refs have gotten over their payback and Meyer is gone…hopefully UGA will start off on a level playing field against the Gators!
Asdfghjkl
December 27th, 2009
2:24 am
Breaking News: Urban Meyer stepping down, caught his wife with Tiger Woods, details at 11 on Sportscenter!
uuughh...
December 27th, 2009
2:25 am
Reggie: Did you respect our president of previous 8 years? . Why does UGA fans always bring ignorant south Ga logic every subject. The Gators will still own you, no matter who is the coach.
Syntax not important smart really folks huh? Keep posts the good up huh?
uuughh...
December 27th, 2009
2:28 am
One more Reggie…will the new President bring the needed change in your awful Grammar?
Stan Oliver
December 27th, 2009
2:48 am
Gator Hater here pulling for Urban Meyer !!
AJC STAFF
December 27th, 2009
2:48 am
UPDATE:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – A source close to the program said late Saturday that Tim Tebow called Florida coach Urban Meyer’s cell phone at approximately 11:48 p.m. asking him to follow the quarterback to his NFL destination in a personal consultant role. Earlier in the day, the Gator headman stepped down citing health concerns related to his admittance into the hospital following the SEC Championship game. The source, who claims to have overheard the conversation because Meyer had Tebow on speakerphone, reportedly heard the former Heisman Trophy winner “singing Robin Thicke’s Sex Therapy off key”. The source said Meyer began humming along at which time he vacated the area. There is no word as of early Sunday whether Meyer will accept Tebow’s offer.
Lane Kiffin
December 27th, 2009
3:05 am
Dawg Master
December 27th, 2009
12:19 am
YES!!!! This is great news for UGA!!!! Without Meyer, UGA will beat UF on a regular basis—they’ll hire another ron zook type, and UGA will take over the SEC east for good!!!! Look for a Ga blowout over UF in 2010 and an SEC title!!!!!! YES!!!!!! Florida fans–back to mediocrity!!!!!
=========================
UMMMM … NO.
UGA’s record for last twenty years is…. 3 and 17.
I don’t think Meyers had been in Fla for that long.
UGA is and will always be Fla’s biatch.
Get well
December 27th, 2009
4:43 am
Let me first say that I am a huge UGA fan. With that said I think the Meyer is a great coach and I hate to see him go. I hope that he is ok and that he eventually returns to coaching or doing something in some capacity. He must really be in a bad situation to walk away from his contract and the chance to create even more of a legacy. Get well Coach Meyer and Go Dawgs!
Doc
December 27th, 2009
5:23 am
Tony Dungy is being considered.
Satchmo
December 27th, 2009
6:58 am
Talk about stress, whoever the next coach is, had better be prepared for the Bullgators and their egos, and the control, they have on the UF program.
David
December 27th, 2009
7:05 am
They ought to hire Coach Mark Richt at Florida as a test to see if he can screw up an even higher rated recruiting class!
ozzfest
December 27th, 2009
7:13 am
BEING A BULLDOG & TRAVELING TO JAX FOR 21 OF THE LAST 25 COCKTAIL PARTIES, I ALWAYS HATED SPURRIER AND THOUGHT HE WAS THE GREATEST COLLEGE COACH EVER.
MEYER DOMINATED GEORGIA EQUALLY, BUT I COULD NEVER SEEM TO HATE THE GUY.
HE SUPERCEDED SPURRIER AS NOT ONLY THE GATOR’S COACH ~ BUT AS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE COACH IN THE BUSINESS
A TIP OF THE OLD BULLDOG HAT TO URBAN MEYER; AND TO A LONG LIFE.
MASSDAWG
December 27th, 2009
7:21 am
Hell, if I was Foley, I would call Mark Richt! I don’t think he would have any interest whatsoever, but you never know…sure hope he doesn’t! He has some serious ties to the state of FL. My guess would be Mullen! Tubeville and Fulmer are looking and they both have nice resumes!!!
Too Funny
December 27th, 2009
7:22 am
It’s so funny that now that Meyer has stepped down, UGA fans think they actually have a chance to win the SEC??? UGA will still be 4th in the east behind UF, UT and KY.