Posted on 12/26/2009 4:42:20 PM PST by cyn
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida coach Urban Meyer, who was admitted to a hospital because of chest pains following the Southeastern Conference championship game, is stepping down because of health concerns.Meyer resigned Saturday, calling it quits after five seasons in Gainesville and two national titles. He leaves Florida with a 56-10 record that includes a 32-8 mark in league play and a school-record 22-game winning streak snapped early this month against Alabama.
HISTORIC RUN
Urban Meyer is stepping down at Florida after the Allstate Sugar Bowl, and he goes out on top among current FBS coaches. His win percentage is the highest among active coaches with at least five years experience.
Meyer, 45, says he consulted with his family, his doctors, school president Bernie Machen and athletic director Jeremy Foley before deciding it is in his best interest to focus on his health and family.
Meyer will hold a news conference in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon and will coach his final game in the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati on New Year's Day.
"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 a statement. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to reevaluate my priorities of faith and family. ....
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
Heard this as quick blurb on CNN just now; just out.
FL ping.
Sorry to hear of this; it’s the end of eras, as it turns out, for UF as well as FSU...
As a lifelong Gator fan, I would like to congratulate both Urban Meyer and Bobby Bowden for their respective careers. I will also congratulate Urban on his ethics and integrity while the coach of my Gators. Yes, Bowden was intentionally excluded from the second round of congrats.
No comment. Momma said....
Urban and most Coaches in the SEC, including my Vols, are terrified of what they have seen this year. Those Coaches and we have seen the !@#$%$#@$%^ Crimson Tide return to what could be a dynasty. I have been an SEC fan for 45 years and I have never seen a team like Alabama.
Now, I hate Bama and their Coach but I love the SEC. Meyer went to the hospital right after the SEC Championship game. They say he has returned to the ER several times since the game. I think these returns to the ER may have been after watching the SEC Championship Game replays on CSS.
Bama is young and their recruiting is great and Urban knew the Gatornation was in decline. They did not lose to Bama they got beat like Michael Vicks dogs.
Good luck Urban your teams were fun to watch. But everyone in the SEC knew Florida was going downhill. We Vols almost beat you with a team of nobody’s.
You rave about Bama, and yet you guys were a blocked FG away from beating them, whereas the Vols really were never in the game against UF, although the score was respectable.
I wish him and his family health and happiness.My last comment was not very nice.
I credit Meyer with having the good sense to know when to walk away.
Good luck, coach.
Glad to see the Christmas spirit got to you! It is just football after all, which feels odd to say as an SEC fan....LOL!
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