December 26th, 2009 at 6:56 PM ^
Wow... just... wow...
Just heard about this during the bowl game. Man what is going on??
December 26th, 2009 at 6:55 PM ^
Holy hell! That is some shocking, shocking news. Who the hell will they find to replace him?
December 26th, 2009 at 6:56 PM ^
Health reasons? He'll be gone for a year and come back. He definitely won't be anything less than a head coach.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:07 PM ^
Why leave that powerhouse if he's coming back in a year? This is either legit or extreeeemely suspicious. My money's on legit.
December 26th, 2009 at 6:56 PM ^
Heard it too. WTF happened that he is leaving the best job in the country?
Wonder what happens to their recruiting class?
December 26th, 2009 at 6:57 PM ^
Either a NFL job or a personal issue. Given his intensity level, burnout wouldn't be a surprise.
December 26th, 2009 at 6:57 PM ^
Just heard this from the guys announcing UNC-Pitt. That is incredible. Wow. I'm actually more shocked by this than hearing about the Tiger Woods scandal. He says he is going to stay in Gainesville so hopefully he won't be helping out ND in any capacity.
Here is the ESPN link:
December 26th, 2009 at 6:57 PM ^
Could Holmgren be getting him to coach the Cleveland Browns? He is from Ohio???
December 26th, 2009 at 6:58 PM ^
URBAN DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE CONTRACT
December 26th, 2009 at 8:03 PM ^
I am surprised that Tim Tebow couldn't cure whatever ailment he has.
December 26th, 2009 at 6:59 PM ^
I hope it is not to health reasons or anything. And if it is to health then I hope it is nothing serious.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:01 PM ^
It kinda sounds like it is:
"I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family."
December 26th, 2009 at 9:06 PM ^
I'm pretty sure it's not anything life-threatening
December 26th, 2009 at 9:31 PM ^
"life-threatening." Anytime you've made multiple visits to the ER for chest pains and then are found to have a heart valve muscle defect, that sounds like life-threatening to me. People die from that sort of thing every day.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:03 PM ^
Just turned on my TV to hear this and I'm pretty shocked. Man do I love bowl season!
Does anyone know a good UF blog to read for a fan reaction?
December 26th, 2009 at 10:00 PM ^
um, edsbs?
December 26th, 2009 at 6:59 PM ^
Bet Charlie Strong wishes he'd stayed a year longer now!
December 26th, 2009 at 7:02 PM ^
notre dame wish they would have waited a bit longer.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:05 PM ^
Or maybe Brian Kelly?
December 26th, 2009 at 6:59 PM ^
health reasons.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:00 PM ^
Since it's undefined health reasons, but not enough that it requires Meyer to step down before the bowl game, the normal waiting time for replacement speculation shouldn't be applicable.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:04 PM ^
Maybe they should just straight hire Charlie Strong back.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:23 PM ^
He will coach the bowl game.
December 26th, 2009 at 10:31 PM ^
I generally discredit everything Lou says, but Whittingham seems like a good possibility. He was Urban's Defensive Coordinator at Utah and the two have remained pretty close friends. Whittingham has said before that he has no interest in leaving Utah, but this seems like the ideal situation if he were to ever leave.
Other names I've seen are Gary Patterson of TCU, Chris Peterson of Boise State, Charlie Strong of Louisville, and Tommy Tuberville.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:02 PM ^
says its not health related. sounds like family? this is very bizarre to say the least. at least we dont have to hear from him for a year.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:06 PM ^
bad form man. I don't see this as something to be thankful for.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:11 PM ^
they said it was not immediately life threatening or dangerous. Sports Illustrated just did a candid piece with him where he mentioned a brain cyst that caused him debilitating headaches for years now. he likely found out stress would merely aggravate it and chose a bowl game as his exit.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1163435/1/in…
EDSBS summarizes the story as follows
URBAN MEYER HAS A CYST ON HIS BRAIN. IT’S COOL.
Urban Meyer gets the grand, long-form treatment in SI, and it’s worth the long read since Meyer opens up so rarely and gets some quality treatment from S.L. Price. There’s plenty of rehashed or already known stuff in there, but one new bit concerns the arachnoid cyst on Meyer’s brain that flares up from time to time due to stress, gives him splitting headaches, and makes him say things like “Notre Dame is my dream job.” So good to have an explanation for that now. Additional goodness: his maternal grandfather spent time in a Siberian prison, he once went to work after a 19 inch snowfall and tried to drop his kids off a school that was closed, and his father made him run home eight miles once when he took a called third strike in a baseball game. So, you know: your typical guy.
he's stepping away but they have specifically said it IS health related. hence his PR statement that, you know, uses the word 'doctor' about 9 gajillion times. which implies he either:
a) had all of Tiger Woods' sloppy seconds and got caught
b) is going to rehab
c) has a health issue
d) Pluto
December 26th, 2009 at 7:03 PM ^
i wonder what the health reasons are...hopefully nothing to serious, he's one damn good coach
December 26th, 2009 at 7:06 PM ^
Did they finish that golf course just north of Gainesville yet?
-Steve Spurrier
December 26th, 2009 at 7:09 PM ^
Someone MAKE THIS HAPPEN
Click clack
December 26th, 2009 at 7:08 PM ^
i blame it on nick satan.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:15 PM ^
i was thinking the same thing. if saban sticks around Bama will be a powerhouse for a long time.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:11 PM ^
there's definitely something fishy going on here. He either did something wrong recruiting wise or personally.
edit: just saw the cyst thing if thats true then ignore me or neg bomb me (but remember its christmas)
December 26th, 2009 at 7:10 PM ^
Congratulations on being the first to post about the Urban Meyer announcement.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:38 PM ^
Countdown to when Alan Jackson exploits this Floridian tragedy and does a remake of his compelling 2001 "classic"
Where were you when the world stopped turning that December day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That red scroll crossing against that bowl game night
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
December 26th, 2009 at 7:12 PM ^
There's got to be more to the story. Such a good coach at such a young age I mean even after losing Tebow, Florida was going to remain a power. It must be real serious or something for him to do this.
Man in a million years I never would have thought. First Tiger Woods, now this... I'm scared what's gonna happen next!!
December 26th, 2009 at 7:15 PM ^
Jim Tressel will decide his true calling is cage-fighting.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:12 PM ^
Don't even think about it, RR is OURS!
December 26th, 2009 at 7:12 PM ^
Not just to Alabama, but SEC West in general. A lot of Florida commits were also recruited by Les Miles.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:14 PM ^
"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."
Gotta be health-related right? I really don't like the guy, but this makes me sad. I hope he's okay.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:15 PM ^
That man really will do anything to get his team in the national championship game.
Kidding. The second I heard about it, I thought it had to be health reasons. I hope it isn't something serious. He has children. I may not be the biggest fan of his public persona, but I wish him the best and hope he's okay.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:17 PM ^
Way to do a Tom Osbourne reset...
December 26th, 2009 at 7:16 PM ^
Urban Meyer AND Tim Tebow's last college football game at Florida?
Florida is gonna whoop up on some Cincinatti next week......
December 26th, 2009 at 7:16 PM ^
And thus why he's stepping down and following Tim to where ever he lands in the NFL.