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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
657 comments Add your comment
MASSDAWG
December 27th, 2009
7:23 am
David,
Mark Richt is an excellent coach! The best UGA has ever had. Go compare his record vs. anybody else that has ever coached at GA. It’s very impressive.
rick
December 27th, 2009
7:30 am
The next head coach at Gainesville will be Dan Mullen or Kyle Whittingham because of their ties to Urban Meyer . You can bank on it .
collegeballfan
December 27th, 2009
7:36 am
“If that doesn’t make you think, you don’t have a heart.”
I would say you don’t have a brain that you use. I am a cancer survivor, and I can tell you that looking at the “reaper” changes your entire view of life. He now needs a nine to five job and to enjoy his family.
11-2 GEORGIA TECH in ORANGE BOWL
December 27th, 2009
7:45 am
Thanks for a great season,
………………………………….ACC CHAMPS !
Coach Richt
December 27th, 2009
7:48 am
If you can’t beat ‘em ,,,,,, out live ‘em.
Florida Dawg
December 27th, 2009
7:51 am
First up….I wish Urban Meyer well and hope he is able to work his issues out.
My bet is Dan Mullen will replace him.
I was thinking we (UGA) would now be in the drivers seat but then we can’t forget Kippen and down the road, Saban.
jerry
December 27th, 2009
7:53 am
Just in case UGA begins to be successful against UF. let it be known that UF came down to UGA’s level. Richt sure as hell never brought them up to the UF level.
vet, then and now
December 27th, 2009
8:16 am
Obviously stress has a different meaning in the world of sports. It’s entertainment people. If you want to see stress, go to Iraq or Afghanistan, talk to these 18 & 19 year old troops who are returning. And no, they don’t have the million dollar contracts so that they can just decide to walk away.
Get a grip on what’s happening around you.
Atticus
December 27th, 2009
8:16 am
Mark, no way Charlie Strong would get that job. There are a lot of good coordinators that can make good HCs at smaller schools but he doesn’t have what it takes to be a big time head coach from what I hear. Not many do. Mullen would have to screw Miss St, I don’t think he would do that.
VolNation
December 27th, 2009
8:23 am
The pieces are falling into place for UT’s future domination of the SEC East. UGA, prepare for your beatdown by UT in 2010!!!!
Kennesaw Dawg
December 27th, 2009
8:28 am
Interesting article also:
http://www.pawnation.com/2009/12/16/top-10-animal-videos-of-the-year/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl3|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pawnation.com%2F2009%2F12%2F16%2Ftop-10-animal-videos-of-the-year%2F
dawgfan
December 27th, 2009
8:29 am
Wittingham is a bad azz. I honestly don’t think Florida would miss a beat with him.
Kennesaw Dawg
December 27th, 2009
8:30 am
Oops…..posted the wrong link. Sorry. Try this one:
http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2009/12/26/urban-meyers-resignation-has-numerous-ramifications?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl4|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fncaafootball.fanhouse.com%2F2009%2F12%2F26%2Furban-meyers-resignation-has-numerous-ramifications
dawgfan
December 27th, 2009
8:33 am
P.S. VolNation is a Techie hiding like a little mamma’s boy behind the big orange. I outed this coward a couple of days ago.
Carry on…
Gen Neyland
December 27th, 2009
8:50 am
Turn the Urban Meyer story over to Pete Thamel and Thayer Evans up at the NYT’s and the ‘truth’ will be uncovered…Karma happens. Best wishes to Coach Meyer and family.
VolNation
December 27th, 2009
8:52 am
“dawgfan” – its pretty scary how seriously you take these blogs. Fact is, I was born at East Tennesse Baptist on the banks of the Tennessee River (a stone’s throw from Neyland Stadium). Oh, and I did graduate from Tennessee.
Did you make it out of high school?
Hot rumour
December 27th, 2009
8:59 am
Bobby Bowden is available.
zino
December 27th, 2009
9:00 am
Good luck “Corch” Meyer. You are one fine coach.
I hope you live until you are 100. I hope you have many wonderful moments with your family.
But I must admit I am glad you won’t be on the sideline in Jax anymore.
ghost of UGA VII
December 27th, 2009
9:02 am
I can tell you first paw what it’s like to watch a bunch of fool country boys trying to play football.
It sure did me in but better here than in Shreveport.
GO Jackets!
gtfanfrom1951
December 27th, 2009
9:19 am
Good by MSU and hello FLA.
This Just In
December 27th, 2009
9:20 am
Charlie Weiss named Florida’s new Head Coach!
ghost of UGA VII
December 27th, 2009
9:20 am
To VolNation: most of the comments from the “dog fans” that never made it to high school. Just a bunch of uneducated idiots. I was there 2 years and they gave me a deploma,
Better here than in Shreveport!
bow wow!
cgatlanta
December 27th, 2009
9:21 am
Mularkey
ghost of UGA VII
December 27th, 2009
9:26 am
And even though the season did me in, at least we righted the ship enough to smash the nerdy bugs!! UGA VIII should see 7 or 8 more in a row against the hapless Techies!!!
WonderDawg
December 27th, 2009
9:27 am
Just wish we coulda had him in Athens the past 5 years. Lord knows what Meyer could have done with Stafford, Knowshon, Green, etc…..
It will be hard for Foley to match his last hire, but he’ll have his pick of the litter. Bob Stoops turned down ND a month ago so he surely isn’t an option this time, but nearly everyone else will be….
Buck
December 27th, 2009
9:32 am
Enter your comments here
WonderDawg
December 27th, 2009
9:32 am
On an unrelated note, bowl season starting badly for the acc….
Don't matter
December 27th, 2009
9:32 am
Hey Dawgs, Don’t kid yourselves. Florida can beat you like a drum without any coach at all. WE OWN YOU, Dooley, Goof, Donan, Richt and the 15 or so guys that turn down your DC position. Talk about “decades of domination”. Hahahaha. You are a JOKE and are NOT even the best team in your state. That would go to a school 1/8th your size (Tech).
Manny
December 27th, 2009
9:38 am
First up, I can’t stand the Gators. And a big part of that is because of Urban Meyer. Can’t even stand to look at him sometimes. That’s what makes him on the the best in the business, I guess.
I wish him well in his pursuits and I hope he gets better.
Good Luck, Urban.
(Still can’t stand to look at you, though.)
Buck
December 27th, 2009
9:39 am
Meyer saw what was comming for the gators. I have been saying that he would leave. Meyer ran the score on everybody he was headed to an average season and this is where the pressure was comming from. Payback isa bitch.
jawga boy
December 27th, 2009
9:40 am
SEE YOU LATA , GATA…..
I’M GOING TO JAWGA… BABY!
jawga boy
December 27th, 2009
9:42 am
Don’t Matter…. you are so dumb, and angry that you didn’t make good enough grades to get in UGA. I can see it in your attitude.
I’M GOING TO JAWGA…BABY!
dawgma
December 27th, 2009
9:47 am
I wish the best of health to Urban – and may he never coach in the SEC again. Get better and go to ND gold hats.
This is a terrific holiday season
1) UGA whips GT to obstensibly be the ACC champion.
2) Willie is finally cut loose from UGA.
3) Hutson is a “DOG BABY”.
4) Tebow and UF will not be the national champions!
5) Urban is gone from UF!
6) Tiger is HUMAN!
HAPPY NEW YEAR – GO GAWGS!
Don't matter
December 27th, 2009
9:48 am
Hey Georgia posters,
Do the following names mean anything to you?
Meyer
Spurrier
Saban
Kiffen
Miles
Johnson
Brooks
EVERYONE but Auburn and Tennessee Tech thoroughly enjoys bitch slapping the Chihuahuas from Northeast Georgia. Especially when you come to Northeast FLORIDA.
STFU until you hire a reputable DC.
dawgma
December 27th, 2009
9:50 am
DON’T MATTER – UR RIGHT – YOU DON’T.
Don't matter
December 27th, 2009
9:50 am
Hey Jawga boy,
Do the following names mean anything to you?
Meyer
Spurrier
Saban
Kiffen
Miles
Johnson
Brooks
EVERYONE but Auburn and Tennessee Tech thoroughly enjoys bitch slapping the Chihuahuas from Northeast Georgia. Especially when you come to Northeast FLORIDA.
Mike Bobo
December 27th, 2009
9:51 am
What about me??? I’ll be finished in Shreveport tomorrow. My body of work speaks for itself. I’ve already penciled in some names at DC, linebackers coach, and special teams.
Don’t wait around to call. I’m going to be interviewing for a lot of high profile HC jobs in the next couple of weeks.
Mark Richt
December 27th, 2009
9:52 am
Hey, I’ve got a couple of graduate assistants you may want to consider.
Jax Dawg
December 27th, 2009
9:53 am
You mean to tell me Tebow couldn’t heal Corch Myers?
Don't matter
December 27th, 2009
9:53 am
Hey Dawgma and Jawga boy,
Two words: Shreve Port
dawgfan
December 27th, 2009
9:53 am
I’ve been through enough school to know when a Techie is posing as a fan of another UGA rival. If I took these blogs seriously I would be posing as a Bama fan to take shots at Florida. But alas, unlike the typical Techie, I don’t hide behind the accomplishments of other teams. I am a Georgia fan win or lose. In your case Techie, we’re on the WIN side of the equation. Read it and weep: 30-24.
By the way, who’s going to be Tennessee’s starting QB next year? You probably can’t even name a single player. LOL @ this Techie.
CPJ
December 27th, 2009
9:55 am
UF would provide the ultimate opportunity to finally showcase my offense on the national scene.
Dave In Tampa
December 27th, 2009
9:56 am
This Dawg wishes Urban Myer a quick and healthy recovery. Might be our biggest and most hated rival, but I hate seeing anything like this happen to anyone. Get well soon coach!
Don't matter
December 27th, 2009
9:56 am
dawgfan,
I would say the same thing if I was OWNED by
Meyer
Spurrier
Saban
Kiffen
Miles
Johnson
Brooks
jawga boy
December 27th, 2009
9:57 am
Don’t matter…..all of those names ( cept’ Saban) are yesterdays news. ALL have posted L’s to UGA cept’ Kiffin. He’ll get his whackin’ tween’ da hedges next yeah.
I’m going to Georgia Baby !
Watch those Florida recruits jump. It’s Open Season on Gata’s……
Don't matter
December 27th, 2009
10:02 am
jawga boy,
You do that boy. Your a good fit! Follow the crowd for the rest of your life like all the rest of them.
jawga boy
December 27th, 2009
10:03 am
Saban don’t own dogs…..record 3-2? I think you better get yo fax right. Miles too , bubba…and you have to asterisk the last win , Redding hepped him.
Dat new dawg he be lickin’ his chops!
KJ
December 27th, 2009
10:03 am
Yup, Don’t Matter has definitely outed himself as a gnat, given that he’s arguing that Johnson “owns” UGA.
Don't matter
December 27th, 2009
10:04 am
Meyer
Spurrier
Saban
Kiffen
Miles
Johnson
Brooks
If georgia had played Florida at home the last 20 years THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY HEDGES LEFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Don't matter
December 27th, 2009
10:05 am
Meyer
Spurrier
Saban
Kiffen
Miles
Johnson
Brooks
Hahaha