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
dawg pit
January 24th, 2010
8:52 am
Meyer had great coaches and they left. Now we will know if Meyer can deliver with new coaches.
sc dawggin
January 24th, 2010
8:53 am
Here’s that audio from the 911 call from ESPN of wife Shelley, a nurse, calling for an ambulance after Meyer’s episode.
Does this sound like a wife ready for her husban to come back?
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4782723
Ga Gator
January 24th, 2010
9:02 am
Boy you doggies get stirred up easily. Like I said last night, the difference between UF and UGA fans are you wish our coach would either quit, die or both and we just hope yours keeps his job for another 7 years. Denver dog, Brantley’s parents aren’t UGA people (although uga fans will believe anything) his Dad played QB for UF and his Uncle Scott played MLB for UF and in the NFL. Heck even RON ZOOK liked coaching against Richt.
the myseterious resignation video of Meyer dissapears
January 24th, 2010
9:04 am
Why did Urban Meyer resignation video dissapear from the internet?
Ga Gator
January 24th, 2010
9:08 am
Boy you guys get stirred up easily. Like I said last night, UF hopes Richt stays at least 7 more years and UGA hopes Meyer retires, dies or both. Denver Dawg: Brantley’s parents are not from Georgia. They are actually from Ocala, his dad and uncle both played for UF and by the way, even ZOOK loved coaching against UGA.
Joshua Barlowe
January 24th, 2010
9:08 am
It’s going to be a sad day when his wife leaves him for bailing on his family – or when he has a heart attack because of the stress after his doctor told him he needed to quit.
But then, it’s his fault for being too prideful to quit and walk away. The things some men will do for fame.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
9:10 am
Boy you people get stirred up about the Gators. Like I said last night: UF fans love CMR and hope he stays at least 7 more years and UGA fans hate Meyer and hope he either dies, retires or both. Even Zook looked good if all he had to do was coach against UGA.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
9:15 am
Meyers coaches left because they were great hires by a great coach. Richt’s coaches left 1 year too late because they were bad hires by a bad coach.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
9:22 am
Like I said last night, UF wants Richt to stay at least 7 more years and UGA wants Meyer to quit and were ecstatic when he said that he was going to retire. Maybe if he did retire they could bring Zook back because at least he had a winning record against CMR.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
9:24 am
the myseterious resignation video of Meyer dissapears
It disappeared because the Gators own the internet, just like the SEC officials who cheat UGA out of victories.
TampaGator
January 24th, 2010
9:26 am
There are 3 to 4 big time recruits out there that probably needed to hear Meyer say what he said last night. I also think Meyer realizes that, if he is going to be the head coach at Florida, he needs to be at spring practice to help direct the changes in the offense to better suit Brantley…who is, by the way, a big time QB. And people, when
Tebow was hurt and it was not a sure thing that he could play against LSU, the Florida coaches had total confidence that Brantley could win the game. That tells you all you need to know about Brantley. And the dude that continues to rant about Cox being better than Tebow…come on, man! There are only a handful of QB’s in college football history that were better than Tebow…and Joe Cox is not one of them!
Urban Liar Caught in Lies
January 24th, 2010
9:27 am
Look for the phrase ‘I plan on’, sound familiar “I plan on coaching in the Spring”….
Sampler of past Meyer soundbites form utefans.net
“This is a long term process (building a football program). I always say there are only about eight or 10 really good football programs where year in and year out they win.”
Source: Urban Meyer Press Conference, November 13, 2002
“We are nowhere near what we can do here. That’s what’s driving me right now. Everybody’s worried about those other places; nothing’s going on.”
Source: Bowling Green Sentinel, December 6, 2002
“I was contacted by one, but I’m not interested. I love it here. We have a lot of work to do. That’s the bottom line.”
Source: Bowling Green Sentinel, December 6, 2002
“With recruits, that’s been for two years, even before we won. [They say,] ‘that guy’s not going to be there very long’; that’s silly … The future is fantastic here … I’m proud to be the football coach here. Once they get to know me, know my family, know how important it is to have continuity, my kids going to school somewhere.”
Source: Bowling Green Sentinel, December 6, 2002
“I think you all but guarantee that you are one of the top two, three teams in the league every year if you get that [new athletic facility] here. I feel so strong about the academics, about the community, the environment, about the people. It’s the last piece; it’s a significant piece.”
Source: Bowling Green Sentinel, December 6, 2002
“In the words of any Bowling Green football player today: ‘I thought we were your family.’ Bowling Green’s players are understandably angry at Meyer for leaving. Every day he would preach team loyalty. Meyer carried his we-are-family concept to the extreme, even bunking in the same dorm with the Falcons during preseason workouts.”
Source: Toledo Blade, December 13, 2002
“It [leaving Bowling Green] was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It was devastating. I didn’t realize — and maybe I wasn’t thinking clearly — but I thought it was going to be one of those things where you shake hands, give a big hug and say ‘good luck.’”
Source: Deseret News, October 5, 2004
“First of all, I love it here. But I’m second fiddle. My family is No. 1, and they love it here. As long as we’re filling the stadium, as long as we’re continuing to grow as a program and as long as I feel these student-athletes are getting the best opportunity to be a top 25 program — which I think it is — I’m going to be the coach here.”
Source: Deseret News, October 30, 2004
“I plan on coaching here for a long time.”
Source: Deseret News, November 15, 2004
“Meyer told the New York Times last week, ‘I’m chicken. It would be excruciating to leave. When I left Bowling Green, it was the worst three months.’”
Source: Deseret News, November 17, 2004
“Mike Sorenson wrote, ‘Some folks may question his loyalty because he left Bowling Green after just two years. But Meyer has said, the six months after that was one of the hardest times of his life, because he felt so bad for leaving. Does he really want to go through that again just two years later?’ [um, yes.]”
Source: Deseret News, November 17, 2004
“I plan on coaching at Utah next year. There’s been no contact made. Period. It’s almost comical. We’re playing the biggest game in the history of the school and we’re talking about that. That’s nothing to do with nothing. [Shelley Meyer served her employer 2-weeks notice the next day.]”
Source: Deseret News, November 17, 2004
“There’s been no contact and I really don’t anticipate any. I’m certainly not looking for a job. I love where I’m coaching.”
Source: Deseret News, November 18, 2004
“When asked by a young boy if he was going to be the coach next year, Urban replied very directly, ‘I plan on being the coach at the University of Utah next year.’”
Source: Urban Meyer Coach’s Show, November 18, 2004
“[When asked about Florida:] No. I have no real comment. All I keep saying is I plan on being the coach here at Utah.”
Source: Deseret News, November 30, 2004
“I’m the head coach at Utah. If for some reason I’m not, I still anticipate coaching in the bowl game.”
Source: Deseret News, December 3, 2004
“This was a family decision. University of Florida has been in the mix since the day, uh [pause] after our rival game. … There was no intention to hurt a great university [Notre Dame], including this university [Utah the afterthought].”
Source: ESPN SportsCenter, December 4, 2004
“Recruiting at Utah doesn’t start ’till January. That’s when these kids that wanted to go to USC and UCLA find out they won’t be and then the Utes get them.”
Source: Press Conference, December 4, 2004
“I didn’t want to put Utah into disarray. I had to do this now to protect Utah.”
Source: KUTV News, December 4, 2004
“In the words of any Bowling Green football player today: ‘I thought we were your family.’ Bowling Green’s players are understandably angry at Meyer for leaving. Every day he would preach team loyalty. Meyer carried his we-are-family concept to the extreme, even bunking in the same dorm with the Falcons during preseason workouts.”
Source: Toledo Blade, December 13, 2004
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
9:31 am
Urban Liar Caught in Lies
Every coach has made statements like that until they get to where they want to retire. The only job that Meyer would leave for; and this would only be to reduce the stress would be to coach UGA because everyone know that is the dream job because they get thrilled over stats like “13 consecutive 8 win seasons”
TampaGator
January 24th, 2010
9:34 am
Why are so many people obsessed with the future of the Gators anyway? You would think they would be more concerned with the future of their own team and not be so worried about another team. But I guess that is was great programs do to the fans of other types of programs. Bama beat the Gators this year, but I could care less about Bama…and their thousands of national championships, their great coach, their great players, and their outstanding recruiting class…until just before the Saturday the Gators play them next year. Then let’s talk. Until then, that is all it is…just talk. The past has nothing to do with anything. The Gators will be fine next year (I still think they are the team to beat in the East with Brantley at QB and the tons of talent that remains on the roster). And I think the the Dawgs will be much better. But talk Dawg fans if you beat the Gators next year. Then you have done something to talk about.
Steve
January 24th, 2010
9:34 am
This just in- Meyer to coach both the Saints and Colts today as he continues to relax his schedule. From a GT fan- pls UGA beat Fla this year. As a big college football fan I am so tired of the “sainthood” of Meyer and the now departed Tebow. Tebow is a great young man, but the greatest ever???? Manning would have never played a down if he were there- Monatana? I could go on, but is it really necessary?
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
9:35 am
1 question all UGA fans: Are you happy he is coaching or not? I am sure all of you are really concerned about his health or family. You wake up everyday hating UF because of the “half a hundred” that Spurrier hung on you in your hallowed Sanford Stadium. Even Vandy and Kentucky have beat you there since Richt has been your coach. I can’t remember the last time we lost to them.
Winter
January 24th, 2010
9:35 am
This is another reason (in a long list) of why us Georgia fans should be so gratefull to have Mark Ricth as our coach.
Personally, I want Meyer to stay at Florida a long time. I even wish him the best (except when playing UGA). Because I want to beat the best. And that is exactly what we are going to start doing!
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
9:37 am
TampaGator, they are not capable; I live here and that is all that they can think of.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
9:39 am
Winter, you must be one of the few classy fans that read this post. There is no problem when a fan thinks his team is better or expects them to win, but you can always see the jealousy or envy of fans when all they do his label or name call.
Lord of the Lizards
January 24th, 2010
9:41 am
Come on people!! Did you REALLY think Urban Meyer was gonna retire from coaching long term and sit around watching “Days of Our Lives”??? This guy was born to be a coach! Obviously, he made an emotional decision in December, probably not really realizing or believing that a LOA would be a viable alternative for him (a tremendous risk on the part of A.D. Jeremy Foley at the time). With the encouragement of his wife, Shelley, Meyer made the correct logical final choice. One way or the other, he would find his way back into coaching and as long as you’re going to coach, UF is as good as it gets. ALSO, look for Meyer to take time off after Feb 3 signing day AND during the early summer instead of doing the chicken plate circuit, all with the blessing of Foley. He will certainly have to learn to delegate alot more (the hardest part). The goal here is to unable Urban to coach for many more years if that is of his choosing and to go out on HIS terms, not because of some other issue.
Lord of the Lizards
January 24th, 2010
9:43 am
To enable, not unable…
Urban Liar
January 24th, 2010
9:44 am
When Charlie Strong started raiding Meyer’s staff, we all knew Meyer WON’T ever be back in Florida coaching the Gators. No way Charlie does that, unless Meyer told him “i ain’t coming back, get whoever you need”
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
9:49 am
Urban Liar, come on this post in September and admit that you were dreaming or just LYING.
Spike
January 24th, 2010
9:57 am
Does Urban Meyer think Urban Meyer is the biggest attention whore on the planet?
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
9:58 am
How much influence does Richt have on Bobo?
2009 UGA :
80 NCAA Number 80 Passing Offense
75 NCAA Number 75 Total Offense
113 NCAA Number 113 Most Penalties
23 FUMBLES
17 INTERCEPTIONS
2008 UGA with Knowshon Moreno :
56 NCAA Number 56 Rushing Offense
116 NCAA Number 116 Most Penalties
19 FUMBLES
10 INTERCEPTIONS
2007 UGA with Matthew Stafford :
84 NCAA Number 84 Passing Offense
74 NCAA Number 74 Total Offense
85 NCAA Number 85 Most Penalties
18 FUMBLES
10 INTERCEPTIONS
2006 with Matthew Stafford :
79 NCAA Number 79 Passing Offense
90 NCAA Number 90 Total Offense
70 NCAA Number 70 Most Penalties
22 FUMBLES
16 INTERCEPTIONS
Great offensive minds at UGA
Ryno
January 24th, 2010
10:02 am
Nice job, Urbie. You just stepped on your daughter’s face with a hobnailed Gator. I guess she doesn’t get her daddy back. Frankly, who’d want the lying drama queen…Urban…not the daughter.
UGA IX
January 24th, 2010
10:12 am
Ryno will you be my daddy?
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
10:15 am
I wish we would go home and home again just so Urbie could “hang a half a hundred” on you like Spurrier did. Spurrier said last year that it was his favorite victory while coaching at UF.
Spurrier
January 24th, 2010
10:19 am
Can’t wait to get him in Columbia this September. Beat down.
Valdosta Dawg Fan
January 24th, 2010
10:21 am
When meyer loses another big game, he will probably quit again and get more millions. Florida recruits shouldn’t believe anything he says.
Tim
January 24th, 2010
10:22 am
OH BOO HOO HOO!!! ALL THE LITTLE DAWGIES ARE UPSET THAT COACH MYER IS NOT TAKING A LONG ENOUGH LOA. THEY ARE ACCUSSING THE MAN OF LYING TO RECRUITS HERE AN IDEA WHY DON’T YOU START WORRYING ABOUT WHO YOUR COACH WILL BE IN 2011 AFTER RICHT GETS DUMPED IN JACKSONVILLE ON THE SUNDAY FOLLOWING THE WORLDS LARGEST OUTDOOR ASS WHIPPIN. COME ON BE REAL THIS ISN’T A RIVAL GAME ANYMORE. I AND MANY OTHER GATORS USED TO RESPECT AND EVEN FEAR UGA BUT EVER SINCE M.R. ORDERED THE MOSH PIT IN THE GATOR BOWL WELL YOU SAW THE RESULT. AND SAFE TO SAY ITS ONLY GOING TO CONTINUE.. FOR THOSE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER….QUOTE FROM BILLY JACK ” I AM GOING TO PUT MY RIGHT FOOT ON YOUR LEFT EAR AND THERE IS NOT ONE DAMN THING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT”……. ENJOY THE BOTTOM THE AIR IS FRESH UP HERE
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
10:22 am
Spurrier, I hope you meant Richt, because you had Meyer there last year and that didn’t work out too well for you.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
10:24 am
I need to get this out of my system before my UGA girlfriend finds out.
St. Augustine Gator
January 24th, 2010
10:24 am
Put this in the bank: Florida owns Georgia and will beat them in 2010 like a rented mule, just like the other years. Maybe richt can come up with another taunting penalty to “motivate” his team, or change the helmets to a new color (maybe yellow!)!!!! How ’bout ‘em?
Lord of the Lizards
January 24th, 2010
10:27 am
So many misinformed posters on here. Of course, that may be intentional. It is a fact that Urbans family were the ones who actually encouraged him NOT to retire but to take a leave. Shelley Meyer has been quoted herself as saying that Urban is and will always be a coach but just needs to take time away from the job and not put everything on his shoulders. She was instrumental in convincing Meyer not to just walk away. The one thing I AM concerned about is Urban thinking that he can just go back to the same old way just because he is feeling better. He’s got a great boss in Jeremy Foley who will allow him to take the time he needs and he needs to take advantage of it. I’ll bet he comes back in the fall…better than ever…
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
10:32 am
Lord of the Lizards, I email with Pat Dooley of the G-ville Sun and he said exactly what you said and also predicted early yesterday that he would have “at least” some kind of role in Spring Practice. He said that when you have a personality like Meyer’s that it would actually be more stressful to be at home than to be at practice. He is just delegating more than he has in the past. These UGA fans hate UF so bad they would even hire Spurrier if they thought he could beat Florida.
GaPnt
January 24th, 2010
10:33 am
Urban Meyer has no ethics, morals and is a scumbag. You cannot believe a single thing this man says. He is an immolar fake.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
10:36 am
GaPnt, go ahead and name call in your frustration.
Urban Meyer
January 24th, 2010
10:37 am
Ga Gator – I wanted to let you know first but I talked to Gator74don’tknowzip already…I am staying through June at UF. I will leave UF officially as soon as I know where Tebow gets drafted in the pros. Then it will be announced that I will be that teams head coach. You can see me in Jacksonville just I will be with the Jaguars if our plan goes well.
Urban Meyer
January 24th, 2010
10:37 am
You knew this was coming. I can’t stay away from Tebow and his ‘power’…..
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
10:39 am
Urban Meyer, wake up you are dreamin. But guess what? If he did leave, it wouldn’t matter! Even the great RON ZOOK beat your beloved Richt!
DawgNation
January 24th, 2010
10:39 am
I’ve read these three pages of dribble from both gator and Dawg fans and I’m reminded of the long year of Tech fans dribbling their B.S. on here as well. To shut the gator fans, and for that matter Bama and Tenn fans, down all that has to be done is for the 18 to 21 year olds who play the game to win. No amount of trash dumping here will change a thing within the two programs or amongst their fans. Meyer’s on again off again coaching desires is from a man who loves what he does and just doesn’t want to quit. His wife’s view on the subject is a private matter and if Meyer is coaching I bet his wife is behind him. CMR is also a man who loves what he does and has made the moves he needed to try and move his program forward. The bench mark is Florida and will remain there until those kids I mentioned earlier learn to play with consistency. ga gator is right when he states that the Florida team is in the kids heads. I believe we now have a motivational coach that will change the kid’s perspective and instill a belief that they can win against the Florida’s and Alabama’s. Both teams have quality kids playing for them so either can win. I think Georgia is on even ground now with Florida with talent and experience. It is now up to the kids to believe they can win.
See no need to use slurs anywhere here right?
Peter
January 24th, 2010
10:40 am
Clearly Meyer and Favre went to the same school of decision-making.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
10:42 am
DawgNation, outstanding classy post; no slurs just fact. I for one believe Grantham was a great hire as was Edwards at Florida. I don’t care if it was Richts first pick all along or his 5th; he got a good coach.
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
10:43 am
Peter, you might be right, but they both are 2 of the best at what they do.
WonderDawg
January 24th, 2010
10:43 am
Not saying that this was the intention of the retire/unretire thing, but every move Myer makes now makes a headline at ESPN. Current headline at the website shows: “Myer to coach Gators spring game.”
Almost out of Kiffin’s “Playbook of Getting Noticed” …
ga gator
January 24th, 2010
10:47 am
WonderDawg, Meyer doesn’t have to run down other coaches as Kiffin did; no comparison. He makes headlines because he has won 2 National Championships in just 5 years; that is why when he says something people listen.
Skipper
January 24th, 2010
10:56 am
1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, ____, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, ____, 2004, 2005, 2006, ____, 2008, 2009…
Three outta four ain’t bad. Three outta 21 is terrible.
No matter the coach, coordinator, quarterback or stadium venue, the song remains the same.
Pago Flyer
January 24th, 2010
10:57 am
If Urban stays…bad news for the DAWG Nation.
WonderDawg
January 24th, 2010
10:58 am
I’m the first to admit Myer is as good (with Saban) as it gets in coaching. I wish he were at UGA, along with the nuts who supposedly hate him. If the retire/unretire thing had happened with a Petrino or a Kiffin, it would be almost expected. But Myer? Just doesn’t fit.