Urban Meyer Steps Down: The End of An Era at Florida and the SEC. Godspeed Coach
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009
by Edward Rhymes
In what's sure to be a shocker to most college football fans, Florida Coach Urban Meyer has announced that he will be stepping down for health reasons. He will coach the Gators through the Sugar Bowl, & he will remain in Gainesville, & also continue on working for the University, as well. Meyer 45, cited health concerns as his reason for resigning as the Gators football coach. There were signs that his health may be concern however.
Meyer admitted himself into Shands Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla., early morning December 6, 2009 and was treated for dehydration, according to school spokesman Steve McClain.
McClain said Meyer was treated and released around 2 p.m. Meyer checked himself into the hospital only hours after the Gators lost to Alabama 32-13 in the SEC championship game in Atlanta's Georgia Dome.
That loss snapped Florida's 22-game winning streak and left the Gators to face Cincinnati, Meyer's alma mater, in New Orleans.
Speaking on a teleconference for the Sugar Bowl later in the day, Meyer was asked twice about his health. But Sugar Bowl spokesman John Sudsbury refused to let the coach answer, requesting that all questions be related solely to the New Year's Day game against unbeaten Cincinnati.
Sudsbury referred any queries about Meyer's health to McClain, who declined to divulge any further information.
It remains unclear what caused Meyer to go to the hospital and how long he spent there. Several reports said Meyer experienced chest pains after his team returned from Atlanta.
Meyer didn't appear on his weekly TV coach's show Sunday. The Gators flew from Atlanta to Gainesville on Saturday night.
Meyer led Florida to BCS national championships in 2006 and '08 and has been one of college football's most successful coaches the past six seasons.
In a story published by Sports Illustrated this week, Meyer revealed that doctors discovered an arachnoid cyst on his brain when he worked as an assistant coach at Notre Dame in 1998.
According to the report, doctors didn't consider the cyst to be life-threatening but told Meyer he could suffer from head pain if the condition flared up because of stress.
Meyer is one of the country's highest-paid coaches after signing a six-year, $24 million contract with Florida in August.
This season has been one of his most difficult at Florida in terms of off-the-field distractions and problems. After returning quarterback Tim Tebow and all 11 defensive starters, the Gators were a popular favorite to win their second straight BCS national championship.
Meyer's resignation leaves the SEC wide open for a new powerhouse on the block --- although, Alabama seems primed and ready to step into the vacuum.
Meyer will be leaving at the top of his game nevertheless: Two national championships, two SEC championships, a Heisman Trophy winner and a 22-game winning streak.
I send my best wishes to Urban Meyer and his family. Have a blessed and healthy New Year coach.
McClain said Meyer was treated and released around 2 p.m. Meyer checked himself into the hospital only hours after the Gators lost to Alabama 32-13 in the SEC championship game in Atlanta's Georgia Dome.
That loss snapped Florida's 22-game winning streak and left the Gators to face Cincinnati, Meyer's alma mater, in New Orleans.
Speaking on a teleconference for the Sugar Bowl later in the day, Meyer was asked twice about his health. But Sugar Bowl spokesman John Sudsbury refused to let the coach answer, requesting that all questions be related solely to the New Year's Day game against unbeaten Cincinnati.
Sudsbury referred any queries about Meyer's health to McClain, who declined to divulge any further information.
It remains unclear what caused Meyer to go to the hospital and how long he spent there. Several reports said Meyer experienced chest pains after his team returned from Atlanta.
Meyer didn't appear on his weekly TV coach's show Sunday. The Gators flew from Atlanta to Gainesville on Saturday night.
Meyer led Florida to BCS national championships in 2006 and '08 and has been one of college football's most successful coaches the past six seasons.
In a story published by Sports Illustrated this week, Meyer revealed that doctors discovered an arachnoid cyst on his brain when he worked as an assistant coach at Notre Dame in 1998.
According to the report, doctors didn't consider the cyst to be life-threatening but told Meyer he could suffer from head pain if the condition flared up because of stress.
Meyer is one of the country's highest-paid coaches after signing a six-year, $24 million contract with Florida in August.
This season has been one of his most difficult at Florida in terms of off-the-field distractions and problems. After returning quarterback Tim Tebow and all 11 defensive starters, the Gators were a popular favorite to win their second straight BCS national championship.
Meyer's resignation leaves the SEC wide open for a new powerhouse on the block --- although, Alabama seems primed and ready to step into the vacuum.
Meyer will be leaving at the top of his game nevertheless: Two national championships, two SEC championships, a Heisman Trophy winner and a 22-game winning streak.
I send my best wishes to Urban Meyer and his family. Have a blessed and healthy New Year coach.
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