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
2010 Dawg
January 24th, 2010
9:18 pm
Urban Crier, Ha Ha Ha
http://cdn1.sbnation.com/photo_images/79707/30378_Urban_Meyer.jpg
Go DOGS
January 24th, 2010
9:28 pm
Well then Skippy, if you don’t know or care about football history, then what have to is meaningless. We really don’t care what you have to say so why don’t just shut up like a good little boy?
Happydawg
January 24th, 2010
10:29 pm
OK Gator weebies, Strong for the past 11 seasons between SC and UF held UGA to a 17.5 pts. per game aver. HE IS GONE. We had Edwards, he is no threat.
Richt's the Man
January 24th, 2010
10:32 pm
Cool pic of El Captian with one of his three Natl Champ years at Georgia, can’t remember if this one was 2002, 205, or 2007, there are so many, you start t lsoe track.
Then you have the 5 Natl Champ’s Richt got FSU in. 8 total Natl Champ years.
Here’s the pic in one of those grand years:
http://images.dawgsports.com/images/admin/2008_Sugar_Bowl_trophy_Richt.jpg
If, next year, could have
January 24th, 2010
11:53 pm
A National Championship year doesn’t mean a thing, winning the National Title and bringing the Coaches’ Trophy back to your University is all that does.
You're Kidding Me
January 25th, 2010
12:13 am
Must be all you gator fans have no blogs on which to spread your manure.
Herbie
January 25th, 2010
12:44 am
I write this only having read the first page of comments, mostly by ga gator and GaGator (how original). I feel like you guys could use a little bit of perspective from the other side of the stands in that God forsaken dump down on the St. Johns.
I really have no idea why Gator fans feel the need to come in here and pound their chest. Believe me, if any group of people on this earth understand Florida’s dominance of Georgia, it is the UGA faithful. As a UGA alumnus who graduated this past August, the losses hurt me more than most. I am fairly certain I take it harder than Richt does. In my short 23 years, Georgia has beaten Florida a meager six times, three of which I am actually old enough to remember.
The point of all this is really quite simple. I don’t care that we still hold the all-time record. That particular statistic, much like Herchel’s now-broken TD record, does nothing to make me feel better about the annual beatdown in J-ville. People that flaunt such records, which are at this point certainly fleeting, do not represent the majority of the fanbase.
To put it bluntly, we know Florida is better than Georgia. We get it. Is that what you want to hear? Well, there it is. This has not always been so, but it certainly is true right now. Furthermore, you’re correct about a lot of things. Ron Zook certainly showed us that it doesn’t really matter who is at the helm at UF. We are still in trouble when we head down I-95. We don’t need you here to point that out. We’ve had the snot beaten out of us too many times to forget it. 2002 still stings. But make no mistake, all things must come to an end. Florida’s reign over the east will too.
By the way, about that speculative ESPN article that proclaimed John Brantley the future 2011 Heisman trophy winner, I seem to remember a certain sports media outlet virtually guaranteeing that Tim Tebow would be the second guy to win more than one Heisman trophy. They also mentioned that Florida would bring home the SEC and BCS championship trophies at the end of the 2009 season, just like they predicted USC would in ‘05. And just to prove that I’m not biased, they predicted UGA to win it all in ‘08 (haha). BS flows from the fingers of all journalists. I wouldn’t exactly cling to that drivel as fact.
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January 25th, 2010
1:37 am
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DawgNation
January 25th, 2010
6:57 am
Skipper @
January 24th, 2010
8:27 pm
DawgNation,
I was born in 1984. The 70s and 80s mean nothing to me. Buck Belue… Isn’t he the guy that plays alongside John Kincaid on the afternoon drive show?
And, for the record, I was born and raised in Marietta and have every right to post on an AJC blog.
_______________________________________________________________________
Skipper,
My suspicions were confirmed about you. I gave you the benefit of the doubt but the above post just confirms you are the immature young man that I thought you were. I don’t care where you were raised as I can tell it wasn’t with any respect for others. As far as posting on the AJC what the heck are you talking about? I NEVER mentioned anything about you posting anywhere. You TOTALLY miss the point but just like most from your era that is not anything new. I would suggest you read Herbie’s post at 1244am and take note of what a mature young man sounds like.
DawgNation
January 25th, 2010
7:09 am
Sorry If This Shows Up Twice:
Skipper @
January 24th, 2010
8:27 pm
DawgNation,
I was born in 1984. The 70s and 80s mean nothing to me. Buck Belue… Isn’t he the guy that plays alongside John Kincaid on the afternoon drive show?
And, for the record, I was born and raised in Marietta and have every right to post on an AJC blog.
Skipper,
My suspicions were confirmed about you. I gave you the benefit of the doubt but the above post just confirms you are the young immature young man that I thought you were. I don’t care where you were raised as I can tell it wasn’t with any respect for others. As far as posting on the AJC what the heck are you talking about? I NEVER mentioned anything about you posting anywhere. You TOTALLY miss the point but just like most from your era that is not anything new. I would suggest you read Herbie’s post at 1244am and take note of what a mature young man sounds like.
Urban Myth
January 25th, 2010
7:47 am
Look, I am aware that Florida has won some games of recent history against Georgia. Of course, the bigger picture is what really matters, we all know that. Georgia still owns the series at 46 wins and 39 losses. And with Florida in, what everyone is callign a rebuilding year, and Georgia bring back 10 of 11 starters on offense, and with the surprisingly bad hire of Martinez like Edwards, and the brilliant hire of the man Nick Saban wanted ot run his DC, it’s safe to say we all know what’s coming. Florida will now be the 4th best team in the SEC behdind Georgia, Alabama, and LSU. We all know it. Time will prove we are all correct. Speculation that Florida will nto score a touchdown on Georgia for the next 1 years, is a little overhyped. Of course, they iwll not score more than 14 again, but to say they will not score a touchdown is going a little too far.
Meyer--Mr. 5-3 in the SEC, 40% of the time
January 25th, 2010
7:52 am
If Meyer comes back, which he has a history of quitting every 1-5 years, so I doubt it, if he does, he has a 5-3 in the SEC year to look forward to. He will get killed by Alabama. LSU will win by a touchdown. And Georgia will win by 20. Florida just doesn’t have any serious defensive leadership and Meyer and Addazio are both clueless on the offensive side of the game. Edwards was ranked #24 in scoring defense–good news fr Georgia fans, he’s worse than Willie Martinez. Grantham was ranked #2 in scording defense for the Cowboys. Gator fans try and make excuses for their defensive coach’ inabilities. It’s sad. But the truth is–if he was any good–Saban would have brought him with him to Bama from Miami, or offered him the Miami DC job when Edwards was coaching lb’s at Miami. He didn’t. And Saban, after looking at Edwards, offered the Miami DC position ot Grantham, Georgia’s new DC.
Says ALL we need to know.
Urban Myth
January 25th, 2010
8:23 am
An Urban Myth #1:
Urban Meyer will be coaching in 2010 for Florida Gators.
Truth:
Meyer has never coached that long in 1 place in 24 years.
An Urban Myth #2:
When Urban Meyer says something, you can trust it.
Truth:
Meyer has made bizarre statements to Bowling Green and Utah players and recruits and the pattern continues at Florida, where Meyer promised to never quit as long as Fllorida would have him, quit, then “un-quit” to help recruiting, then lied when he said he drove himself to the hospital, when it was later proven he went to the Hospital in an ambulance.
Urban Myth #3:
Florida will be great because of a recruiting class.
Truth:
That didn’t help Notre Dame. Alabama only had 3 top 100 recruits in 2009, Florida had 9, Alabama dominated Florida in the SEC Championship. The Wall St. journal also did a study that proves there is no guarantee that top 100 recruits get you into a BCS game. Only 8% of BCS Bwol starters were top 100 recruits.
Urban Myth #4:
Florida will go 13-1 in 2010.
Truth:
Florida, under Meyer, has gone 5-3 in the SEC 40% of the seasons under his direction. Florida will play 4 top 25 ranked teams in a rebuilding year: Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and FSU. Florida will also play SC and Tenn. Losing 5 starters on defense, 6 starters on offense, 5 juniors leaving early for the NFL, 4 coaches quitting, does not bode well for what Florida insiders believe about 2010 for Florida.
Jim
January 25th, 2010
8:48 am
This whole forest was nothing more than a motovational tactic to prepare UF for their bowl game. Both Urban Meyer and UF lied to the world about his retirement/leave of absense. So really is this any different than Mark McGuire’s lie about taking steriods? They both cheated the system. While Uban Meyer of UF specified dates or timelines it was inferred that Coach Meyer was taking his leave of absense after the bowl game and would be back on the sidelines in 2010. Because of this and UF has not issued statements to retract Urbans leave of absense the NCAA should view all contacts with recruits by Urban Meyer as violations.
King Gator
January 25th, 2010
8:53 am
Truth- Urban “Myth” Meyer and the Florida Gators will continue to dominate the Dawgs… enough said! Go Gators!
Urban Myth
January 25th, 2010
9:00 am
Florida dominate Georgia? Learn your stats boy. Goegia OWNS Florida in the series, 46 wins, and 39 losses.
King Gator
January 25th, 2010
9:04 am
17-3 in the past 20, that’s domintated.. tell yourself what you have to about 46-39; but you know you’re pups are so beaten down by the Gators that it’s all you’ve got. Gators will continue to dominate the Dawgs, I’m sure which is worse .. how lopsided it is or how dillusional some (not most) of the UGA fans are about how Florida now owns Georgia.. Go Gatotrs!
Richt's the Man
January 25th, 2010
9:05 am
Both times in the past Richt had a bad year in the SEC, 2001 & 2006, where he went 5-3 or 4-4 in the SEC, he rebounded the next year by finishing 1st in the SEC.
2010 Georgial will finsih 1st in the SEC–History will repeat itself..Richt always follows a bad seasons with a great one.
jbc
January 25th, 2010
9:26 am
urbanmeyer caught in lies,
You are an idiot…..to say that the juniors left because 2010 would be a rebuilding year…LOL…you are why I come here to get my laughs. How bout they left because they are first round draft picks…
and in 05, UF lost 3
06, UF lost 1
07, UF lost 4
08, UF lost 1
09, UF lost 1
You, are the liar queer boy….
jbc
January 25th, 2010
9:27 am
hey myth…down to 7…I remember when that was in the 20’s not too long ago…say what you want, but UF owns Ga….my brother once could kick my butt, but as soon as I whooped him once, it was over and he didn’t own me anymore….same thing. Ga doesn’t own anything. They just won more fights when we were younger, but UF owns Ga now….but hey, how ever you get through the night…
46 & 37: Georgia Own Florida
January 25th, 2010
9:32 am
Florida’s run is over. They’re the 4th best team in the SEC behind Georgia, Bama, and LSU.
jbc
January 25th, 2010
9:40 am
one more thing….all of you morons thinking UF will be some 4+ loss team because they lose some players, I hope you realize that UF brings back 7 players on D who have started many games while UGA loses 6 starters, Bama loses 8, Tenn loses 6, LSU loses 5, MSU loses 4, FSU loses 5 USF loses 10, Vandy loses 5, and Tucky loses 4. So, why some of you think UF is the onlly team losing some players is beyond me. Also, see the recruiting over the past few years and you will see that UF will be replacing them with better talent.
Same goes for offense. UF loses one OL, one starting wr, qb, and a te…Brantley is better than at least 8 of the qb’s in the sec, including Murray/Gray/Hamburger and everyone in the SEC loses at least 4 on offense except for Ga, USC, and Bama and Ga will be starting a freshman qb more than likely.
So, Yes, UF loses a few pieces, but the depth/talent at UF is better than everyone on the schedule and everyone else loses players as well, but I am sure you want to ignore that.
As for t he coaches, FSU, UT, Ga, Kentucky, USF, all have coaching changes as well
Bottom line is 10-2 is worst case for UF……and I promise you one of those will not be to Ga. Ga will lose at least 5 again like I said they would before this year when you all jumped on MB for predicting 4. 5 at least this year for the mutts though
Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Ga Tech, and Tennessee are definites….
Gatorzip74
January 25th, 2010
9:40 am
I really am kind of concerned about the Dawgs beating Florida this year. I’m afraid we are at the end of our run.
Urban Myth
January 25th, 2010
9:40 am
Get out of the past Gator fan.
Georgia has Grantham and Lakotas now. The past is history. Your future is doomed.
jbc
January 25th, 2010
9:41 am
46-37….and you are a moron….you have absolutely ZERO facts to back up that claim….
mike
January 25th, 2010
9:42 am
Idiot Florida fans, it doesn’t matter who you have or who we have. We are coming after the gators this year. We will be up for the game and you will go down. You know its going to happen!!!
jbc
January 25th, 2010
9:42 am
Myth, LOL…..WHO?????
from a team that goes 1-2 against the ZOOKER>…LOL
Hey, feel however you choose to help you get through the day…but you know and I know that you are wishful thinking and have no ‘reasons’ to think UF will be anything less than Great!
jbc
January 25th, 2010
9:43 am
Prick is the man….GL with that…..Ga isn’t winning crap this year….
king gator
January 25th, 2010
9:52 am
How is that UF graduates one of the best SEC qb’s ever and our backup who will become the starter (Brantly) comes in with more experience than any of the UGA qb’s vying for the starting job… the Gators are just reloading and more prepared for each transition. #1 class this year won’t have much affect in ‘10; but ‘11-’13 should be real fun, but not for the SEC East – better get the Gators this year. With that said we’ll still hammer the Dawgs again this year in our annual “2nd Homecoming” in Jax. Go Gators!!
46 & 37: Georgia Owns Florida
January 25th, 2010
9:55 am
The best defense in the SEC wins. The best defense in the SEC now ranks like this:
#1- Georgia
#2- Bama
#3- LSU
#4- South Carolina
#5- Florida
George Edwards is the guy that helped Miami to #24 ranking in scording defense, Saban didn’t want as DC or bring to Bama, Grantham fired at Cleveland, and no one in the NFL picked him up before Saban got there.
Urban Myth
January 25th, 2010
10:08 am
Urban Myth:
5 Jrs who left early does not indicate a bad year for Florida in 2010
Truth:
North Carolina brought back their Jrs because those Jrs believed in their team.
Myth:
5 coaches quitting on Florida in 1 year means something positive
Truth:
When 5 coaches quit on Florida in 1 year, it’s not because of anything positve. Florida didn’t even beat a top 10 team in 2009, hardly a positive season. It’s not a good year to elave on if you’re a coach, better to elave after a Natl Champ type of year. The 5 coaches, who know Florida best, including the Head Coach, all chose 2009 to quit on Florida.
jbc
January 25th, 2010
10:10 am
47&37, you are delusional….Ga will not go from one of, if not the worst D’s in the SEC to the best. Grantham isn’t as good as Monte Kiffen and Kiffen couldn’t do all that good with better talent at UT. It is also funny how you rank Bama at #2 when they will be replacing 8 or 9 starters on D, yet you think UF is falling off of t he map because they will have 4 guys starting who don’t have starting experience. Please. Your hatred is pathetic. Ga sucks and we all know it. You people in athens are just trying to hang on to something that was never there
jbc
January 25th, 2010
10:11 am
Myth,
Juniors and coaches leaving to be promoted and be drafted early means that they are damn good and it isn’t about “believing in the team”
TRUTH
UNC didn’t have this problem because their coaches aren’t as good and the players didn’t jump because they weren’t high draft picks
TRUTH
If you don’t realize the above two statements are true, you are an idiot…
TRUTH
Healed!! « Loser with Socks
January 25th, 2010
10:14 am
[...] He needed a new heart!! A miracle from God!! Look at the heart that God gave him!!! Bonus: he can use it help in recruiting. As if 30 + arrests weren’t enough… So much for R&R: Urban Meyer says he’ll coach spring practice | Mark Bradley [...]
46 & 37: Georgia Owns Florida
January 25th, 2010
10:23 am
The reason I ranked them that way is because of the DC, Florida has the worst DC of the bumch, WELL behind Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and South Carolina.
Edwards was a part of a Miami defense in the NFL that ranked #24 in scoring defense, and #18 against the run.
Florida doesn’t have a coach on their team who can help a defense out.
If the Gators can’t beat a top 10 team with 22 starters returning and Charlie Strong, what makes you think they’ll win in a rebuilding year with Edawrds?
Not gonna happen.
Florida #5 ranked defense in SEC.
jbc
January 25th, 2010
10:30 am
haha…you are clueless and an idiot…
UF lost to Bama who won the title after winning 20+ straight. You can’t win them all. They did go on to thump #5 Cincy. If you think that is an embarrassment, you are truly crazy.
UGA’s D was terrible and they lost their best 6 players and their backup DT so really their best 7 players. I hope you aren’t thinking that Grantham is going to be the savior. Ga’s problem is talent. If they mutts can’t win more than 8 games(while losing 5) with Curran, Evans, Jones, Miller, and their best 3 DT’s, what makes you think they won’t lose at least 5 without those guys?
Ga’s little two year run of winning nothing is over. You like like a douche running smack to a team who has beat you 17 of the past 20 while winning more games and NC’s than anyone in the past 20 years….
Hey, like I have said, think what you want if it makes your feel warm inside, but you look like a fool to any unbiased person
Reggie Bush
January 25th, 2010
10:44 am
Message to Lane Kiffin recruits at USC………..USC pays more $$$$$$$$$$$…just ask FOX pre-game tv comics.Oh and Kiffin the only thing you would be qualified to do after your joke of a coaching career is to clean the stadiums Urinals after a game!
Bama 79
January 25th, 2010
10:57 am
You are forgetting one thing. The SEC hasn’t really been that good except for Alabama, Florida and LSU. It’s been so long since Georgia won a National Championship that Bucky still thought he had a career as a baseball player, Larry Munson was not senile, Reagan was not YET President, Berlin Wall was still up, nobody had heard of Bill Clinton, Soviet Union was intact, the Iran Hostage Crisis was a recent event, Clemens 4 years from starting his MLB career, Marino was a sophomore at Pitt, Miami, Florida State and Florida had not yet won the first of 10 combined National Championships, no internet, computers were special, no cell phones, Botox Boy Richt was at Miami—Well, you get the drift. The Dogs are so irrelevant as to make Pee Wee Herman look like a Current sensation. God, I’ve been out of college for 30 years and Georgia–I mean Walker–won its last one a year after I finished.
jbc
January 25th, 2010
11:04 am
LMAO at Bama 79…..they don’t get it though so you are wasting your time. I enjoy how they think a UF fan should feel ashamed for losing to Bama who won it all. I will be the first to say that Bama kicked UF’s ass, but that only means Bama was better prepared and the better team that day. Bama deserved it, but UF was still a really good team and it doesn’t discount the fact that UF absolutely dominated the pups as did a bunch of teams….LOL
jbc
January 25th, 2010
11:26 am
haha…guess that shut em up…..l
RammaBama
January 25th, 2010
11:35 am
Gator fans better get used to it–Bama and Saban are now in control of the SEC and will be winning titles for years. Saban will win more than Bear–bank on it. Bama’s expanding their stadium to be the best in the SEC and they have more millions coming in from boosters to buy the best of everything! Look for another easy SEC and national title in 2010–this bama team will be even better! Roll Tide!!!
Herbie
January 25th, 2010
11:37 am
Pride goes before a fall.
jbc
January 25th, 2010
11:41 am
RammaBamma, I think UF and Bama are the top dogs in the sec no doubt, but don’t get carried away. The same way UF won the NC and beat Bama in 08, Bama flipped the script in 09. 2010 could go either way, but don’t get caught up in the thinking that just because you won the last one, you will win the next one.
Congrats on the NC though….
DawgNation
January 25th, 2010
12:46 pm
THANK GOODNESS!!
I was afraid the void with all the Tech blow hearts leaving would make these blogs boring. Glad to see fine fan representatives from UF and UA on here picking up their slack. Please keep on with the dribble. It’s funny.
Meyer sounding like Weis these days...
January 25th, 2010
1:00 pm
Anybody else noticed how much Urban Meyer sounds like Charlie Weis these days? Braggin’ on his top recruting class.
Didn’t get Notre Dame better than 6 or 7 wins a year with all those top 100 recruits.
Bad sign for Gators when Meyer wants to talk about his recruting class.
Meyer and Weis–2 peas in a pod.
Relevant Dawg
January 25th, 2010
1:30 pm
With a real D coordinator finally in place, the Dawgs will be back in 2010—bank on it! Florida’s way down on talent and coaching (edwards is not very good). UT will have nothing and Richt will outcoach the lightweight derek dooley easily! Look for UGA to upset florida in jacksonville and win the SEC east!!!
DawgNation
January 25th, 2010
1:49 pm
Relevant Dawg,
I think it will be based on how quickly the kids pick up on the new 3-4 and all its checks as well as how effective the coaches are on fundamentals with them. I see a problem at QB but I think the rest of the offense will be able to cover for him till, who ever it is, gets the program down. I can see the upset by the time Georgia plays Florida as long as the team learns to play error free or close to it. No more mental penalties and better ball protection and the Dogs have a chance for a SEC championship run. Key games as always getting past S.C. to get that first SEC game under their belts then Tenn, Florida, and Auburn. Play to abilities these kids posses then they do fine. Get to Florida with no loses then a legit shot at the MNC. But that is WAY to soon to start that noise.
ATL Gator
January 25th, 2010
1:56 pm
I think some of this UGA stuff has to be tongue in cheek right? “Richt gets done what Meyer, Saban, and Miles cannot do. It’s about wins. Richt has 90. In 9 seasons. In the SEC. No one else does.” Is that serious? Does anyone at UGA really think anyone from any of those schools is jealous of UGA’s program? You know how many people can tell you what 90 in 9 is outside of UGA fans? None, that’s how many, zero. It’s impressive, but is there a trophy for it?
ATL Gator
January 25th, 2010
1:58 pm
I’m done, these are the most riduculous UGA claims and assertions, it reeks of desperation, I don’t want to get any on me.
king gator
January 25th, 2010
7:14 pm
When did all most of the UGA posters become complete morons? Win something, beat a rival that’s not Tech, don’t settle on your 5th choice for dc, celebrate something more than a td and maybe we’ll take you sort of serious again. Talk about yesterday’s news.. like when it was in black and white, UGA is weak! I might be mistaken, but I think the Dawgs were just flagged for another personal foul!!