Urban Meyer is stepping down as coach of the Florida football team

[hclarkjr]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4772952

Urban Meyer is stepping down as coach of the Florida football team, athletics director Jeremy Foley announced Saturday afternoon in a release.

"I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program," Meyer said in statement. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family.

"After consulting with my family, Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family.

"I'm proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation and I plan to remain in Gainesville and involved with the University of Florida.

"I'm very appreciative for the opportunity I've had to be a part of a tremendous institution - from Dr. Machen to Jeremy Foley and the entire administrative staff at UF. I'm also very thankful for the chance to work with some of the best assistants in college football and coach some of the best college football players and watch them grow both on and off the field as people. I will cherish the relationships with them the most."

Meyer will coach his last game for Florida against Cincinnati on Jan. 1 at the Sugar Bowl.

 

[JS80]

My guess is herpes with a prostitute.

 

[Fingolfin269]

shocking. Off to the nfl after a year?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

wow...thats pretty shocking.

Hope everything works out for him, a health issue that bad must be a biggie

 

[JHoNNy1OoO]

That sound you heard, was the sound of millions of Gator fans heads exploding. Talk about out of the blue. I'm sure he's heartbroken after losing to Alabama and of course Tebow leaving this year. Stress is a killer. Who the hell are they gonna get to replace him! Big shoes to fill indeed.

 

[TheVrolok]

I'm thinking cancer, or something similar.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

I read a report that he has had a cyst on his brain for years that causes debilitating migraines and other issues. Can't be good long term.

 

[boomhower]

If you read the link it says he was admitted to a hospital with chest pains after the SEC championship, my guess is stress related. It is a shocker indeed. Can't say I blame him, he's only 45 and going to the hospital with chest pains. He has all the money he'll ever need. Retire and enjoy a long life with your family.

 

[grohl]

sad, not a Florida fan but you hate to see a young talented coach leaving the business for health reasons

 

[Miramonti]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4772952

Urban Meyer is stepping down as coach of the Florida football team, athletics director Jeremy Foley announced Saturday afternoon in a release.

"I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program," Meyer said in statement. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family.

"After consulting with my family, Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family.

"I'm proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation and I plan to remain in Gainesville and involved with the University of Florida.

"I'm very appreciative for the opportunity I've had to be a part of a tremendous institution - from Dr. Machen to Jeremy Foley and the entire administrative staff at UF. I'm also very thankful for the chance to work with some of the best assistants in college football and coach some of the best college football players and watch them grow both on and off the field as people. I will cherish the relationships with them the most."

Meyer will coach his last game for Florida against Cincinnati on Jan. 1 at the Sugar Bowl.

Sounds like the same thing that prompts many ncaa div. 1 coaches to resign....will be busted soon for recruiting violations.

 

[Queasy]

Sounds like the same thing that prompts many ncaa div. 1 coaches to resign....will be busted soon for recruiting violations.

He took a trip to the hospital after the SEC Championship game because of "major chest pains." I know I'd be looking at getting out of one of the most stressful jobs you could possibly have if I experienced something similar.

 

[Queasy]

That sound you heard, was the sound of millions of Gator fans heads exploding. Talk about out of the blue. I'm sure he's heartbroken after losing to Alabama and of course Tebow leaving this year. Stress is a killer. Who the hell are they gonna get to replace him! Big shoes to fill indeed.

Dan Mullen seems an obvious choice. He was the offensive coordinator before taking the head coaching job at Miss St this past season.

 

[Miramonti]

He took a trip to the hospital after the SEC Championship game because of "major chest pains." I know I'd be looking at getting out of one of the most stressful jobs you could possibly have if I experienced something similar.

They'll give him some meds for high blood pressure, tell him to reduce his cholesterol and salt intake, etc....and game on.

Unless he's going to have bypass surgery or getting a pacemaker, I have to believe he's using this as an out.

 

[Syringer]

This means Saban + Bama is going to absolutely monopolize the SEC and likely the NCAA for many, many years co come.

 

[grohl]

This means Saban + Bama is going to absolutely monopolize the SEC and likely the NCAA for many, many years co come.

what goes up must come down, SEC is hot now, can change faster than you think.

 

[Queasy]

They'll give him some meds for high blood pressure, tell him to reduce his cholesterol and salt intake, etc....and game on.

Unless he's going to have bypass surgery or getting a pacemaker, I have to believe he's using this as an out.

Apparently, he's got other medical issues other than just the heart including a cyst on the brain that swells and causes intense pain when under stress.

I don't think Florida has been under any scrutiny from the NCAA. They've had tons of problems with players getting in trouble with the law but nothing NCAA related under Meyer's tenure.

 

[aphex]

Sad to see him go and wish him the best.

I say we go after stoops again

 

[Queasy]

Sad to see him go and wish him the best.

I say we go after stoops again

That's one of the names that have cropped up along with Bobby "New job every two years" Petrino.

I still think Mullen would be the best choice. He helmed the offense during its best years, knows the Florida system and recruiting already and did a pretty good job with a no-talent Miss St team.

Florida was going to have a tough road next year anyways with no Tebow, no Charlie Strong, and the entire starting defense gone.

 

[shiner]

Heart muscle defect, per scroll on ESPN.

 

[LikeLinus]

what goes up must come down, SEC is hot now, can change faster than you think.

Somehow, I really don't think the SEC is going to all the sudden implode because the head coach of Florida is stepping down. That's just stupid.

 

[Syringer]

Lane Kiffin has won.

 

[ElFenix]

Sad to see him go and wish him the best.

I say we go after stoops again

floriduh isn't a better job than blowu.

 

[OogyWaWa]

roll tiiiiiiiide

 

[chin311]

I don't wish him any health problems of course but kinda odd it happens now...

 

[Queasy]

Well, this is changing now. Meyer isn't quitting. He's taking an "indefinite leave of absence." The OC, Steve Adazzio, will be the interim coach.