So much for R&R: Urban Meyer to coach spring practice
When the definitive biography of Urban Meyer is written (not by me, I believe it’s safe to say), the bizarre doings and undoings of Dec. 26-27, 2009, will be a footnote. The man who quit and then decided instead on a leave of absence says he’ll take a bit of time off after Signing Day. But apparently nothing more.
Meyer said Saturday he plans to coach his Gators in spring practice. If that’s indeed the case — with Meyer, any declaration must carry a disclaimer — then there seems no chance he won’t coach Florida in the 2010 season. And if he coaches Florida next season, that restores some semblance of order to an SEC East in deep-dish flux.
You’d have to say Florida is again the prohibitive favorite to take the division and play for the SEC title. And you’d have to say those reports of the Gators being in disarray after Meyer’s volte-face would, in the blush of recent developments, seem overheated. Doesn’t seem to be hurting recruiting, does it? (Rivals.com ranks Florida No. 1 for its 2010 class, of which 21 of the 25 commitments are rated either 4- or 5-star.) This despite the latest smear campaign from the crown prince of dirt.
A year ago Lane Kiffin accused Meyer, incorrectly, of cheating. Being based three time zones away apparently hasn’t slaked the Kiffin thirst: According to GatorCountry.com, Kiffin and henchman Ed Orgeron have been telling recruits that Meyer is planning to succeed Lee Corso on ESPN’s “Gameday.”
In 1995 Mike Krzyzewski took a leave of absence after back surgery. It was a big deal at the time, but he returned the next season and coaches Duke still. It’s not a big deal anymore, hasn’t been for 15 years. It’s a footnote in a career that has totaled three NCAA championships. Urban Meyer has won the BCS titles twice. Not predicting another anytime soon, mind you. Just sayin’.
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402 comments Add your comment
Bama Stan
January 23rd, 2010
11:48 pm
All the Georgia fans want Meyer to retire and all the Florida fans want Richt to stay at Georgia for a long time. What does that tell you about the 2 coaches and the 2 programs?
Nick Saban Georgia Beatdown 2007 Video
January 23rd, 2010
11:52 pm
Love this one too. Georgia beatdown of Nick Saban’s Bama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjlYv1O-yDc
Mike T.
January 23rd, 2010
11:52 pm
Mike Shula is suing to get his job back at Alabama.
DirtRoadDawg
January 23rd, 2010
11:53 pm
just curious, and not tryin to start nothin, but i hope both ga gator and GaGator, are actually from florida….and not a couple of trendy fans who dont understand, your FROM GA, GA BOYS, ‘get some nads’ support your state ‘boy’, and if you are from florida, gotta make ya wonder, why you move to GA?
NoGaGator
January 23rd, 2010
11:56 pm
Boys, dawgs, boys -
How many times does it take for us to smack you on the nose with the newspaper for you to realize who owns you?
I mean it’s been going on for 17 out of the last 20 years?
Do you think it’s going to change this year? Mark Bradley in above article sure doesn’t and he’s been one of your biggest fans when it comes to going against the mighty Gators (must be from when Billy D was winning those 2 championships in UK’s beloved sport).
These last number of recruiting classes – especially this one will only continue to smack you on the nose. After all, we actually accomplish results with highly-ranked recruiting classes, unlike you.
I have no malice against UGA. They’ve been our friends. I just hope Coach Richt continues to soldier on forever.
This is no longer a rivalry.
Mike T.
January 23rd, 2010
11:56 pm
Florida is Baja Georgia.
Mike T.
January 23rd, 2010
11:58 pm
Yeah let’s see if Florida wants the Dawgs to keep Mark Richt if the results every year are like the ones in 04 and 07.
46 Wins & 39 Losses--Georgia OWNS FLorida
January 24th, 2010
12:00 am
Keep in mind, Georgia OWNS Florida, Georgia has beat Florida 46 times so far and only 39 losses, when will the gatorettes learn who the boss is?
Mike T.
January 24th, 2010
12:03 am
I mean it’s been going on for 17 out of the last 20 years?
And you still trail in series.All the games between 1910 to 1990
are just like last years 41-17 SCORE, they are all in the past.
Mike T.
January 24th, 2010
12:04 am
Georgia has 47 wins.
DawgVoiceofReason
January 24th, 2010
12:11 am
Urban Crier appears to have gone off the deep end. First, he cries wolf the week before his bowl game, saying that his health situation is so serious that he must take time off from coaching and doesn’t know if when/if he will return. Then, he totally reverses his position just one day later(one of the all time “flip flops”) saying he’s definitely coming back to Florida. Now, he’s telling everyone he’s going to coach the spring game. Apparently, this whole thing was one big JOKE, like the man himself. (yes, I don’t respect Urban Crier, and this thing just seals the deal).
Bawney Fwank
January 24th, 2010
12:16 am
Since Joe Cox is so much better a quarterback than Tebow, how come he lost the game in Jacksonville to the Gators in 2009 and what round in the NFL draft do you think Cox will be taken in?
no one to trifle with
January 24th, 2010
12:19 am
ga gator, I don’t have a dog in this hunt but I know your kind. You are a brave one on a PC thinking you are a sharp tongued whiz, thumping your chest because your a gator fan. You go girl, keep putting those dawg fans in their place. Well sit down there little fellow. You and I both know that you had nothing to do with them gators winning one game.
You can live vicariously through them but that don’t make you a man. Now you better shut off the computer your mommies calling.
Why are gators fans such panty waste?
Gator's Tator
January 24th, 2010
12:25 am
Boy, you ain’t too bright.
Joe Cox:
1) head to head–threw for more yards than Tebow
2) threw for more td’s than Tebow in 2009
3) outthrew Tebow 15 td’s to 5 td’s against common opponents
4) beat a top 10 team (G Tech) Tebow could not beat a top 10 team in 2009
and it was Cox’s 1st year as a starter, and Tebow’s 3rd year.
Bobo outcoached what’s his name.
Yo light ain’t too bright is it boy?
ckgator
January 24th, 2010
12:26 am
Man… you Dawgies sure are an angry and delusional bunch. I don’t want to cloud the issue with facts, but sorry folks – it will be more of the same.
Florida and Bama at the top, while the rest give chase.
Enjoy the status quo!
Mark "Crimson Crier" Ingram
January 24th, 2010
12:28 am
Well DawgVoiceofReason, we don’t respect the liar and unsportsman carpetbagger of Dalton, Mark Richt! NaNaNaNa and that just seals the deal!
See we can sound like a immature juvenile imbecile, also!
BC
January 24th, 2010
1:06 am
Urban Meyer is nothing more than an arrogant prick! Isn’t it funny his announcement of a self-admission into a hospital and retirement came right after the loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship. He knew Tebow wouldn’t go out with another title, and he suddenly had a program that wasn’t “invincible” as the media had dubbed them before the SEC Championship game. So, what does he do? He draws attention to UF and himself by faking this “stress-induced” problem with his heart.
I’m not denying he may have one, since running a program like that must be tormenting for a person’s body and mind. However, the teller when it came to note he would a) coach Tebow in his last game even though it wasn’t the BCS Championship, b) have attention turned to himself and his program again through recruiting after the season (like our friend Mark just admitted), and c) all of a sudden be better and only taking a “few weeks off after recruiting” to then coach in the Spring game and being perfectly normal.
Honestly, if Meyer’s situation was as dire as he made it seem when he announced his “retirement” citing his family and life being more important than the “stress placed on him by running such a program”. I’ve heard he’s a huge prick when it comes to coaching, and he normally likes to take all the credit for himself for being successful. Sure, he develops players and coaches (see: Tebow, Strong) but how much did you honestly hear from Charlie Strong before he became a head coach at Louisville? He got that from being a product of Meyer’s coaching staff, which again, places the honor and glory of being an awesome head coach on himself.
He is the most arrogant college coach in history, and it did my heart good to see Saban beat him in “Tebow’s Farewell to the SEC”. Another thing-everyone wants to get on Saban for not showing emotion in the Championship award-ceremony, but get this; he knew he was going to win from the beginning, and it was no surprise to him. Meyer got jealous, and had to do something to focus the media attention on himself again.
GO DAWGS ‘10!!
Denver Dog
January 24th, 2010
1:08 am
Wow, if this is any indication, it ought to be a great day in Jacksonville, for College Football and the fans. I never did understand the slurs and nastiness on this blog. Brantley is a good one, he has UGA parents. A Tech uncle. Should see him light it up some this year. UGA will be good this year and if the QB gels, whomever he is, it will be a great offensive team. We will have to see about our defense, and UF’s too. Ga Gator, keep trying to have a decent line of communications going, a few will answer with some intelligence.
BC
January 24th, 2010
1:12 am
Didn’t spell check the first one:
Urban Meyer is nothing more than an arrogant prick! Isn’t it funny his announcement of a self-admission into a hospital and retirement came right after the loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship. He knew Tebow wouldn’t go out with another title, and he suddenly had a program that wasn’t “invincible” as the media had dubbed them before the SEC Championship game. So, what does he do? He draws attention to UF and himself by faking this “stress-induced” problem with his heart.
I’m not denying he may have one, since running a program like that must be tormenting for a person’s body and mind. However, the teller was when it came to note he would a) coach Tebow in his last game even though it wasn’t the BCS Championship, b) have attention turned to himself and his program again through recruiting after the season (like our friend Mark just admitted), and c) all of a sudden be better and only taking a “few weeks off after recruiting” to then coach in the Spring game and bring everything back to perfect normality.
Honestly, if Meyer’s situation was as dire as he made it seem when he announced his “retirement” citing his family and life being more important than the “stress placed on him by running such a program”, he wouldn’t still be trying to coah!! I’ve heard he’s a huge prick when it comes to coaching, and he normally likes to take all the credit for himself for being successful. Sure, he develops players and coaches (see: Tebow, Strong) but how much did you honestly hear from Charlie Strong before he became a head coach at Louisville? He got that from being a product of Meyer’s coaching staff, which again, places the honor and glory of being an awesome head coach on himself. Tebow will get drafted but never play more than a fullback in the NFL, but who do you think has a hand in that? (hint: his name rhymes with turban buyer)
He is the most arrogant college coach in history, and it did my heart good to see Saban beat him in “Tebow’s Farewell to the SEC”. Another thing-everyone wants to get on Saban for not showing emotion in the Championship award-ceremony, but get this; he knew he was going to win from the beginning, and it was no surprise to him. Meyer got jealous, and had to do something to focus the media attention on himself again.
GO DAWGS ‘10!!
UF=Blue Jean Shorts Nation
PowerDawg
January 24th, 2010
1:20 am
Man, this is fun!
You gator gurus actually worship that head case that coaches your football team.
I think highly of our coach too, but WOW!
Listen ya’ll…
I know you are all fired up about the upcoming season but some of you are just not being realistic. It’s going to take more than believing to make it happen. UF has a ton of holes to fill and even more questions that have to be answered before ya’ll can start woofing about wins and titles.
Brantley has not proven he can play well enough to lead that team. A few snaps in mostly mop-up duty isn’t the same as starting and playing the whole game against SEC defenses. And don’t use the KY game as an example. That game was in the bag before Tebow got whacked.
Brantley’s passing skills mean nothing until you find somebody to catch the passes he throws.
And as of right now, you have no proven receiver. Not one. That’s not just a Dawg fan’s opinion. It’s a fact.
And your offensive losses at OL, QB, WR, and TE are minimal compared to the holes in your defense that have to be plugged. All those 4 & 5 star players you plan on replacing your starters
with are missing one very important thing.
Experience.
And it takes more than a spring practice and a fall camp to get it. It will even take more than a couple of games from the typical weak non-conference schedule that UF plays, to get it.
Now before you start woofing again… I can say the same about us. We have to replace half of our defense and teach them all a new scheme. So I feel you.
Speaking of non-conference schedules…why is UF afraid to play a BCS school as part of their
non-conference slate? How about just any quality D-1 opponent period? FSU every year is a cop out. We play GT every year, too.
The Gators never even leave the state of Florida except to play an SEC opponent, and if they schedule it right, they might not have to leave the state even then. That’s pure bullsh!t, IMO.
Say what you want but at least we travel to play somebody other than a bunch of 1AA directional schools…oh, my bad…I forgot ya’ll played… who?… Jacksonville State?…Was that it?
Impressive.
But, I digress.
Urbans egomania and his insistence on keeping his starters in games until the very end, even in blow-outs, will finally catch up with him. The back-ups have minimal experience at best. Minimal.
Now, I’m a Dawg and damn proud to say it. And I want my team to play well and win every game if they can. Plus, I hate the Gators. Not as much as those blow-flies from Atlanta, but almost.
But, understand I’m not some blind homer. We have struggled with every aspect of the game for a couple of years now. I know that. But, I believe we just hired a guy that can help us defensively. I believe we will have outstanding QB play and the offense will score a lot of points…eventually.
Will it be this year?
I have no idea.
But I do know this. We will be competitive. And the SEC East title does not belong to any team yet.
And it is not a given that it will go to UF.
This will be decided on the field. If anybody thinks otherwise, they are just not willing to be honest about it.
dagnabit
January 24th, 2010
2:16 am
UF has owned the SEC east for the past two years. And that is a given.
California Dawg
January 24th, 2010
2:21 am
Hopefully, the recruits see through all of this and don’t buy what meyer is selling. It’s not fair that florida is getting all these 5 star recruits—the SEC should investigate.
Reptillicide
January 24th, 2010
5:31 am
Anyone who compares John Brantley to Matthew Stafford is a moron.
Reptillicide
January 24th, 2010
5:34 am
And Bradley,
I can’t believe you let Meyer off the hook like that. This guy pulls a bogus PR stunt like this and the best you can do is re-direct at Lane Kiffin? They are BOTH LIARS, Bradley. LIARS!
Reptillicide
January 24th, 2010
5:37 am
And on the recruiting point…
you know as well as I do that Florida is getting the Notre Dame treatment from the recruiting sites. A prospect utters the word “Gators” and his rating instantly gets bumped up a star. According to the recruiting sites, Notre Dame has been pulling in top 5 classes for the past 4 years. Sure haven’t noticed.
Douglas
January 24th, 2010
6:00 am
It just goes to show that Meyer’s family is secondary to his life and football is his top priority. One of these days he is going to wake up like many men who place their jobs first and wonder: where is my family? Do I even know them? And the ones who suffer the most: his kids.
Shreveport Sam
January 24th, 2010
6:33 am
Ummmmm, all you jawga fans are hoping Florida will not be as good due to the fact that they’re running a new quarterback out there. Just what exactly will y’all be doin’ next season as well?
Shreveport Sam
January 24th, 2010
6:36 am
powderdawg, be glad they don’t require a drug test before you’re allowed to post here. Florida owns Georgia, and Urban Meyer is y’alls anti-Christ, which is why all the hopeful speculation.
Duluth Gator
January 24th, 2010
7:13 am
Gator’s Tator… great stats, very informative. Now, go get out your stat book and look these questions up. What was the score in the game? What was UGA’s record? What was the name of that bowl you all went to?
THE CURSE OF BRETT FAVRE LIVES IN ATL
January 24th, 2010
7:18 am
HOW CAN THE MUTT FANS SAY ANYTHING ABOUT COACH MEYER WHEN HE HAS WON 2 NATIONAL TITLES IN 5 YEARS! GOT THAT MUTT FANS? WHAT HAS UGAY WON? NOTHING WHEN IT COMES TO NATIONAL TITLES IN THE SEC LOOK AT ALABAMA FLORIDA AND LSU! PUT-UP OR SHUT THE HELL-UP!
THE CURSE OF BRETT FAVRE LIVES IN ATL
January 24th, 2010
7:22 am
MARK RICHT WHILE YOUR MAKING COACHING CHANGES,YOU NEED TO FIRE MIKE BOBO AND TAKE BACK THE O.C JOB YOURSELF! WHAT HAPPEN TO THE MARK RICHT FROM FLORIDA STATE WHO WAS O.C AND YOU WERE RUNNING UP THE SCORE ON WAKE FORREST 70-10,DUKE 65-3 WHAT HAPPEN TO THAT GUY? PLEASE BRING BACK THE MARK RICHT THAT BELIEVED IN RUNNING UP THE SCORE ON TEAMS,COACH RICHT YOU NEED TO TURN BACK INTO A MANIAC WITH THAT HIGH POWERED AIR ATTACK!
gatorherb
January 24th, 2010
7:32 am
ga gator we can’t help Hersgnoranthal Talker he’s obsessed with being gay and ignorant.
Saint Richt
January 24th, 2010
7:38 am
Urban is a liar just like Lane Kiffin…..the 2 dirtbags should coach/lie together…..a-holes……
IF Urban really has health problems, then whatever happens to him, well….he gets what he deserves.
Steve Babik
January 24th, 2010
7:38 am
Maybe I am why that say Gaytor?
Dzerzhinsky
January 24th, 2010
7:42 am
Just as soon as Urban coaches against Saban again, the chest pains will return. Urban ain’t the “stud” of SEC football anymore. Until and only if Saban moves on, Urban is the second best coach in the SEC. Beating Richt is one thing, beating Saban is another.
Galen Hall
January 24th, 2010
7:49 am
So if UF wins the next 11 straight against UGA they can deuce the series right?
UF a southern football tradition since 1991
pdawg
January 24th, 2010
8:08 am
Meyer is back after never leaving and thats a good thing for the Gators. Congrats. That “spirited” practice really made him say “screw my family and my health”. I cant believe the media isnt questioning him on this. What happened to “I’ve got my daddy back”? Or all those serious health issues? Amazing what a spirited practice can do. Or shall I say a shallow selfish disfunctional soul can do. But who cares about the family. Its all about winning the east now. Dang sure wont win the SEC. Saban took him behind the woodshed pulled his pants down and spanked his spoiled little tail. Thats the real reason behind all of this. Meyer was the king and Saban didnt just take it from him he took the septor and then beat his tail with it and said I’m not giving this back anytime soon.
dap01
January 24th, 2010
8:13 am
Either UM was crazy at the now infamous news conference or he way lying or he simply chose career over family and health. Which one was it?
Hey Bratley
January 24th, 2010
8:16 am
Did everybody forget about this greatest college team to ever step on the field needed two games aletered by the refs in order to reach a game that they almost lost by 4 touchdowns!College football is freaky now. No one dominates the scene year after year. Yes, congrats gators you have dominated Georgia for some time now, but still not nearly as long as they dominated you. Things will change and can change in a hurry.
46 Wins & 39 Losses--Georgia OWNS FLorida
January 24th, 2010
8:33 am
Georgia domaintes the series, Florida will never catch up because it’s a second rate program.
SuperB
January 24th, 2010
8:34 am
Did anybody ever think Meyer was: (a.) going to quit? or (b.) wouldn’t be back this year?
The only probability is: He will retire (or go to the pros) at a fairly young age– maybe sooner rather than later.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
8:38 am
Good morning ladies; it goes back to what I said last night: UGA hates Meyer so bad and has such an inferiority complex that they want him to die or quit or both. We love CMR and hope he stays for at least another 7 years. By the way Denver dog, Brantley’s parents are Gator’s his dad played QB there also, his uncle played LB at UF and in the NFL and his Grandparents were not from Georgia but Clemson.
Todd
January 24th, 2010
8:40 am
Man, for a UGA paper, you sure do report on UF a lot. Does UGA doesn’t get any coverage in the Gainesville Sun or Orlando Sentinel except for box scores and game recaps? And did all the Dawgs become Bama fans too? Looks like it. I guess if you can’t beat them, root for a team that can. Face it, you hate the Gators because they are a better program than UGA. If they weren’t you wouldn’t be on here running your mouth. Bunch of tough guys. Instead maybe you should be talking about your B-ball team that just beat #8 UT and how promising your B-ball team can be with a good coach now and a strong recruiting bed. But no, you’d rather comment on how Meyer will coach spring practice. Is that really news? The AJC knows you guys too well, that’s why they made this “story” a blog.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
8:43 am
Morning ladies, boy you get stirred up about this. Like I said early last night, UGA fans either want Meyer to either quit, die or both while UF fans want Richt to stay at least another 7 years. Denver dog, Brantley’s parents aren’t from UGA, his dad played QB for UF and his uncle Scott played MLB for UF and in the NFL. Even Zook looked good coaching against Richt.
.
January 24th, 2010
8:43 am
So Mike T. do you know when the GEEF is due? Better yet, do you even know what the GEEF is an acronym for?
Paddy
January 24th, 2010
8:44 am
Ed Murphy (formerAD @ West Georgia College) for president! He refused to cooperate with the NCAA infractions folks and played 119 ineligible players in all sports. The MAN would not even take their calls! My new hero!! He was a poor SEC basketball coach but a great AD! Next stop for Ed. the USC Trojans.
Calling Out Urban on His Bluff
January 24th, 2010
8:44 am
Ok, Florida claims they’ll be great because of their recruting class. I have a simple way for Meyer to prove he’s not stretching the truth on this one too.
Urban Liar Litmus Test:
Schedule Boise St for one of his non-conference games. They don’t have ANY top 100 recruits. If he’s so confident in his recruiting class, that’s all he needs to do.
winter
January 24th, 2010
8:48 am
In the 2 minutes it took you to rad this article a Gator player has beaten his girlfriend again. Stop the senseless violence!
Huh?
January 24th, 2010
8:49 am
Urban Meyer ALWAYS quits in 1-5 years over his 24 years. To think he wouldn’t, or will actually come back in 2010, is beyond common sense, it’s naiive.
Ga Gator
January 24th, 2010
8:51 am
Good morning ladies; boy you get stirred up about this. Like I said last night this is real simple, UGA either wishes Meyer either retires, dies or both, while UF fans hope Richt stays at least another 7 years. Denver dog, Brantley’s parents both went to UF and his dad played QB, his Uncle Scott was an all sec MLB for UF and also played in the NFL. I’ll give you one thing though; I agree with Kincaid that you do have the most beautiful women!