Urban decay? Sporting News examines a ‘broken’ Florida
The former Florida head ball coach has been taken to task by Matt Hayes. (AP photo)
The Georgia Bulldogs haven’t had the sunniest of offseasons — and there’s still a whole summer to go! — but Matt Hayes of Sporting News offers a bit of reading guaranteed to warm the Red & Black heart. It’s about Urban Meyer and Florida, and if you happen to hate the Gators this will serve as the feel-good story of the spring.
It commences with a killer anecdotal lead (or lede, as we say in the trade): The Urban Crier, who’s now coaching Ohio State, tells the family of recruit Stephon Diggs he wouldn’t let his son go to Florida because of “character issues in the locker room.”
Writes Hayes: “[Those] character issues … we now know were fueled by a culture Meyer created.”
And then Hayes has at it, detailing — mostly via unnamed sources, we should note — just how the Urbanator created a two-tier system in Gainesville: Either you were a star and a member of his “Circle of Trust,” or you weren’t. (Meyer to Hayes: “I’ve never heard of Circle of Trust before in my life.”)
Hayes reports that Meyer pushed aside an injured player to clear scholarship room and that Florida covered up one-game suspensions for failed drug tests by having stars — Percy Harvin and that Georgia fan favorite Brandon Spikes among them — feign injury. The charming Harvin, Hayes recounts, once threw receivers coach Billy Gonzales to the ground. (Meyer to Hayes: “Something did happen and something was handled. I don’t think it’s fair to Percy Harvin or Billy Gonzales to talk about it.”)
Enough with the teasers. (I’m sorry. Here’s just one more: A former player calls Meyer a “great coach” but “a bad person.”) Just go read the story. It’s a dandy.
By Mark Bradley
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
306 comments Add your comment
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
9:57 am
I wonder whatever happened to that guy who called himself “UGAINSIDER?” He used to come up with the craziest stories about how Auburn was going to lose its accreditation.
Dean
April 10th, 2012
9:57 am
Auburn fan, I’m interested in your take on Chizik. Is he a good coach or did he win because he had Newton? The sample size outside of that one year doesn’t bode well but I don’t follow AU enough to really know the results. He’s a good recruiter, I’ll give him that but can he keep up with Saban?
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:00 am
“There’s no way that Meyer thought Brantley was the better QB. ”
Like I said, that’s what UF students told me.
” Cam didn’t stay out of trouble at Florida, so how was he supposed to stay out of trouble in Athens?
I don’t know. He stayed out of trouble at Auburn. That I do know.
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2012
10:02 am
I can believe that a coach might have thought Cameron Newton wasn’t a great quarterback. Opinions can (and will) differ.
I seem to remember one coach who thought he’d make a fine tight end.
Mark Bradley
April 10th, 2012
10:03 am
And I’ll agree on this point: The NCAA has closed the Cam Newton case as regards Auburn. That’s the fact, Jack.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:03 am
Dean
The jury is still out on Chiz. He’s a hard worker and recruits very well considering having to share the state with Saban. Three top 10 classes is great. I mean, they lost 33 players last year and he did well to go 7-5. THey played the toughest schedule in the SEC last year having to travel everywhere.
I think the defense is going to be fantastic in the coming years and the offense will be fine. The QB position is a big question mark but Frazier and Pike are going to be great. We have 5 good running backs and handful of good receivers. Plus, we have two great fullbacks.
All in all, Chiz is an upstanding guy who doesnt’ hesitate to kick players off the team. He kicked Dyer, the best running back at AU, off the team without blinking.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:05 am
“I can believe that a coach might have thought Cameron Newton wasn’t a great quarterback.”
EXACTLY!!!!!!!! No one had ever heard of Cam before he became a stud at Auburn. Yes, teams wanted to recruit him but he was so under the radar.
Charles
April 10th, 2012
10:08 am
Amusing to read the Techie’s comments on anyone else’s character. Newsflash, you’re the ones of probation. Hey, we have some kids make some dumb mistakes and even some flat out unacceptable ones, but at least our administration and the folks we have responsible for the program do things the right way instead of covering up the truth. Talk about a lack of character. You’re breaking every window in that glass house, Techies.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:08 am
“And I’ll agree on this point: The NCAA has closed the Cam Newton case as regards Auburn.”
I still think players should be paid because they bring in millions for universities. Cam was, by a million miles, better than any college football player in 2010. I was fine with AJ Green selling his jersey and think the NCAA was a joke in that ruling.
CMR
April 10th, 2012
10:09 am
Sure, Homer. Try to understand this. Between privacy laws and the usual secrecy of coaches, it’s almost impossible to get a true understanding of what goes on behind a program’s closed doors. Tons of money and people’s careers are at stake. Richt learned from the master of cutting corners while dishing out back slaps and that ol’ time religion. If you think that doesn’t/couldn’t happen at UGA, then you’re a fool.
DawginLex
April 10th, 2012
10:09 am
Facts never did tell us his team
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:10 am
Dean
Look at it this way. Chizik won a championship at Auburn. Something that Tubbs, Dye and Bowden couldn’t do. Not that they couldn’t but they didn’t. Chizik took Auburn into Tuscalloser and won against Saban and the mighty Bammer defense. Something that only one other school had done since Saban arrived.
In my book, Chizik will always be the greatest coach ever at Auburn, besides Shug. Dye is a snake.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:11 am
“Facts never did tell us his team’
New Mexico State
DawginLex
April 10th, 2012
10:12 am
CMR
No you are a fool for continuing to argue why the coaches and the AD followed the university policy.
You are an idiot. That is clear.
Richt cuts corners?
Richt goes out of his way to do things the right way and you bash him as a corner cutter.
Tell us your team??
Who is your coach who always does things right?
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:12 am
Now on another note,WTF is going on with the Braves?
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:13 am
DawginLex
Don’t let that guy get under your skin.
Remember, UGA and Auburn have one fantastic thing in common. WE DON’T HAVE BOOBY PETRINO AS HEAD COACH!!!!!!!!
DawginLex
April 10th, 2012
10:19 am
True, but the Braves still suck and Fredi is gonna get run out of town
UGAGrad95
April 10th, 2012
10:20 am
RambleOn84 is the most intelligent person on this blog. Well said. CPJ and Richt seem to handle discipline as the arise and try to prevent them. What demographic is more undependable that 18-22 year old males?
blazerdawg
April 10th, 2012
10:21 am
Braves and Twins are setting up a 2013 repeat of 1991.
CMR
April 10th, 2012
10:22 am
No coach always does things right. That’s the point. I’m sorry if I was too subtle for you before. Even Richt. I’m not bashing him. Just laughing at some Georgia fans’ unblinking willingness to believe what his school says (because that’s all you have to go on with respect to the tailback suspensions) and to believe the worst about rival schools. The truth is that this goes on everywhere. “The Senator” Tressel was held up as shining example of doing things the right way, until he was exposed. I don’t think Richt is as bad as most, but he didn’t last this long in the SEC without making some deals with the devil.
Go For 2
April 10th, 2012
10:25 am
Classic Mark Bradley…just commenting on something another person wrote and using it as a column…nice work Mark.
GF2
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:26 am
“but the Braves still suck and Fredi is gonna get run out of town
Fredi was an awful hire in the first place. Francona is available….
GStateBen
April 10th, 2012
10:29 am
ha
GStateBen
April 10th, 2012
10:31 am
We will dominate..
Both Tech and UGA are showing attendance problems.
We will be ready to step up.
I’m working on a blog that will talk about State’s plan to take over.
PMC
April 10th, 2012
10:33 am
Half of all NFL scouts and commentators thought Cam Newton would flame out. You don’t think Urban Meyer could pick John Brantley who was Florida through and through over Cam who had dicipline problems?
The problem for him is that Cam was perfect for his system, Brantley was more like Chris Leak.
Mistakes get made with talent all the time.
DawginLex
April 10th, 2012
10:33 am
As long as Bill Curry is your head coach, winning will be scarce.
Great man
LOUSY COACH
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
April 10th, 2012
10:35 am
One would like to know who is behind this story on Urban and why now? The arrest record at both UGA and UF is about the same but the trophy room is still empty (1980) at UGA. Notice the info about Urban doesn’t mention Cam Newton at all and that has meaning. The folks at UF didn’t mind releasing info on Cam’s laptop issues in addtion to his many traffice issues but this article not so much.
The auburn mafia are on full alert due to the trial taking place on one of the 4 trailer robbers. Drug test results are being request by the defense from AU as part of the defense strategy. The former RB dyer has been served to appear as well. The AU guy here saying Gene doesn’t put up with much is full it because Dyer has been into this and that since he arrived at AU. Karma is alive and well at AU. The All IN and Amen Corner Family folks are in danger of being unmasked for what they really are and it would be great for the rest (most already know) what is behind the curtain and the Corrupt School of Banking at Lee County. The only way they can complete is to cheat and they’re darn good at it as well.
packup
April 10th, 2012
10:38 am
urban lied about his health problem and “spending time” with his family, left the program in shambles and quickly took a job at osu, his dream school. A total phony.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:39 am
“Half of all NFL scouts and commentators thought Cam Newton would flame out.”
You mean half of all ESPN wannabe scouts. Cam was fantastic at the combine. Gruden said he is the best QB he’s ever seen come out of college football. His words. The only people who thought Cam would flame out were angry ESPN commentators who were upset because Cam proved them wrong.
When will Todd McShay and Mel Kipper apologize?
GStateBen
April 10th, 2012
10:40 am
@DawginLex – you just described Richt.. thanks for making my point.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:40 am
Wet Willie…keep on smiling
I love conspiracy theories. Keep on typing!
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:41 am
“The All IN and Amen Corner Family folks are in danger of being unmasked for what they really are”
HAHAHAAH!!!!!!!!!! Right, and next Auburn University will be shut down, right?
“The AU guy here saying Gene doesn’t put up with much is full it because Dyer has been into this and that since he arrived at AU.”
No he hasn’t. Quit lying, liar. Chiz kicked him off the team for drug use. He also kicked other players off the team as well.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:42 am
“As long as Bill Curry is your head coach, winning will be scarce.”
The last time that guy was relevant was when Bammer fans were throwing bricks through his window.
UGA
April 10th, 2012
10:45 am
GAStateBen – Attendance problems? Ha! Do not confuse students hanging at the tailgate into the 2nd quarter with attendance problems. It cost $1,500 to renew this year, and that is to see Buffalo and Ga Southern. When those schools and UKy and Arky return tickets, we gobble em up – lately there have been more UGA fans at Sanford than ever, due to the weak home schedules – more tix returned for UGA.
PMC
April 10th, 2012
10:47 am
Auburn Fan, I was just giving an example. No disrespect to Cam at all, the guy was unbelievable last year. Jay Bilas crapped on Josh Smith. It’s just Talent evaluation, the question was how could Urban have chosen Brantley and let Cam go… my guess is that he didn’t feel it was worth the trouble after the laptop incident and or stuff we didn’t know about. Cam got his head on strait at juco and it was on from there. Perfect player for the system at AU.
Dean
April 10th, 2012
10:47 am
Auburn fan, you will have a great defense under Van Gorder. That guy can coach! The only problem with him is he changes jobs constantly. I’ll defer to your opinion on great Auburn coaches since you are a fan. But c’mon, better than Dye! It takes so much luck along with everything else to win. Dye could have and should have been given a chance to play for the title in 84 (?). That guy turned the program around and that was while Bear was still coaching at Bama. But honestly, I don’t know. it just appears a stretch. But he did win the Naty and that goes a long, long way.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:52 am
PMC
I understand and I didn’t think that you were being a jerk or anything. I’m not sure the whole laptop incident was why Urban let Cam go. I mean some of those players at UF did far worse things. Spikes etc. I’m not saying what Cam did was right, it’s just that players do far worse things. See: ex-Auburn players on trial for robbery etc.
proudgator
April 10th, 2012
10:54 am
old news rehashed…and not even great filler material here.So,take great delight if it makes you haters feel better about your own lot….I live in the present and look forward to a good year and less of this kind of garbage
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:55 am
DawginLex
I was reading an Auburn blog on al.com about the new Heisman statues being unveiled.
Comments: “Pat Sullivan in throwing motion” Cam Newton in laptop throwing motion”
I laughed so hard that coffee is now all over my keyboard.
JB
April 10th, 2012
10:56 am
Interesting about the cover ups……….And if anyone thinks it ain’t going on at Bama is kidding themselves. Same gene pool. Same college life and temptations. Same 17,18 ,19 year old young men………………..But yet, NEVER any trouble. THE WHOLE State is on the take for that program…………..And watch the kool aid drinkers boo hoo this. LOL
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:58 am
JB
I’m in no way defending Bama but Saban has never led a team to probation. He does a good job of running a tight ship. He did the same thing at LSU.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
10:59 am
“THE WHOLE State is on the take for that program”
Well yeah, there’s nothing else there other than college football. At least GA has college ball and pro sports.
GTT
April 10th, 2012
11:03 am
Meyer is a bad person. It’s getting harder to cover it up, Urb. Luckily, he’s got a whole new “nation” of fans to enable him.
DawginLex
April 10th, 2012
11:03 am
Auburn
Arkansas fan held up a sign at a save Petrino rally that said:
“What’s wrong with scoring in the offseason?”
He and Jessica took their motorcycle trips around BEAVER LAKE!!!!
you can’t make this stuff up
JB
April 10th, 2012
11:04 am
AU Fan……….I agree….I’m just saying I don’t buy that a major University 250 miles from Athens, Ga, with the Same 18 year old young men living on a college campus, NEVER get in trouble?? No drinking, No fights, No weed, No women, No parties, No academic fraud, no curfew violations. Seems odd to me………………And please with the ” Saban won’t put up with it crap”…….And he probably doesn’t…………….It’s just handled within the “program”, not the police and the papers.
Charles
April 10th, 2012
11:06 am
For those who say Urban Meyer left UF in shambles… what are you drinking ? His recruiting class in 2010 was #1 in the country by all the experts…Had the THIEF and Academic fraud Cam Newton been able to stay in school at UF …none of you would have been saying any of this… I am sure that was Coach Meyer’s fault too. Regarding the arrests at UF… 30 over 6 years… there are alot of programs that top that and then some…(UGA)… he is a brilliant coach, a great motivator but not for everybody…UF is going through a natural transition and they want to blame it on somebody or something… Simple as that and Matt Hayes UNNAMED sources are not worth the paper they are written on… he wrote the article to grab attention and sell advertising in the slowest time of the year for sports.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
11:09 am
DawginLex
I’ve seen some really funny comments.
- Looks like she was riding two hogs.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
11:10 am
JB
Yeah, it all boils down to parenting and most of these kids don’t have parents. Coaches can only do so much….unless you’re Bobby Petrino. Sorry, had to get that in. Oops, that’s what she said.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
11:11 am
“Had the THIEF and Academic fraud Cam Newton been able to stay in school at UF”
Here we go again.
Auburn Fan
April 10th, 2012
11:11 am
Charles
For the 1,000,000,000,000 time. Cam bought a stolen laptop. He didn’t actually steal it. Not saying it was right, just get your facts straight.