Florida Coach Urban Meyer Says "Later" To Gators

By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season

BROOKLYN -- This time of year often has folks expressing gratitude for their health and well-being.

But instead of returning an ill-fitting sweater on Saturday, Urban Meyer spent the day after Christmas exchanging his job as Florida football coach for a renewed "focus on my health and family," according to a report on ESPN.com.

The university issued a statement Saturday afternoon in which Meyer cited his health as the primary reason for his decision to quit after five years as coach of the Gators. He's expected to speak further about his decision at a news conference on Sunday.

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"I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to reevaluate my priorities of faith and family," Meyer said in the statement, according to the ESPN report. Meyer didn't specify any particular health issue, but his boss, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, said he supports the coach's decision.

"I have never seen anyone more committed to his players, his family and his program," Foley said in the statement cited by ESPN. "Above all, I appreciate our friendship."

(this article continues below)

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Meyer, who led the Gators to the 2006 and 2008 national championships, will coach Florida in the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati on Jan. 1.

Only 45, Meyer is a three-time national coach of the year who also was named the Best Coach In College Football in a One Great Season poll in November. He compiled a 56-10 record at Florida and is 95-18 in nine seasons as a head coach in a career that includes stops at Utah and Bowling Green.

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WHO'S SAYING WHAT? Below is a quick look at what Twitter users were saying in the hour after the news broke about Meyer: + @BFeldmanESPN: "Bizarre to think Bobby Bowden and Urban Meyer leaving coaching in the same year. One for health reasons. One still wanting to coach." + @CoachJonesUC: "Our collective thoughts and prayers go out to UC alumnus Urban Meyer and his family." + @osgators: "Just talked to a Florida staff member -- Urban was in hospital at least twice this month for chest pains, nausea and sickness." + @espn4d: "Names in the immediate post-Meyer rumor mill: Stoops, Petrino, Shanahan, Dan Mullen, Charlie Strong." + @edsbs: "If Foley has any sense of humor, he'll hire Ron Zook just to fire him again. It's the only thing that could make us smile at this point." + @jemelehill: "Another question: Who benefits more from Meyer's departure -- Nick Saban or Lane Kiffin?" + @KanuDawg: "Here's hoping Urban Meyer glares & points at whatever ails him, and it obeys. Get well, motherfucker." + @mattminkus: "Biggest winner in Urban Meyer stepping down: PAC 10. SEC will take a hit next yr & Pac 10 will be the strongest conference!" + @PeteThamelNYT: "When Urban Meyer told his daughter, Nicki, an 18-year old college freshman the news, she said, 'I get my daddy back.'" + @GatorBenPBP: "Urban broke the news to his players after practice tonight. Lots of tears in the room, especially from Tebow."

Comments

[Scodad]

Rut row

[Brian]

Without Tim Tebow what will UF be, just another SEC team?