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
Yellow Fuzz
January 26th, 2010
12:31 pm
45-42 (in Sanford Bowl)
13th in the NCAA
Beat Georgia, won ACC, played in BCS Bowl in first 2 years!
dawg 4 u
January 26th, 2010
8:07 pm
I must agree that Urban Meyer “owns” UGA just like most everyone else in the SEC. Vince Dooley retired at the end of the ‘88 season. Since that time there have only been 3 or 4 years that the UGA coach was considered a better coach than the UF coach and that was the Ron Zook years from 2002 thru 2004 and Zook even had a winning record against UGA. The point is that Florida just recruits better players than UGA. The series should be a little more even this coming season with Tebow’s departure. I think it will be much more evenly matched next year. No 41-17 or 49-10 years in the near future with or without Urban Meyer.