Urban Meyer is leaving Florida. The Florida coach has announced he will be stepping down from his position as head coach of the Florida Gators, effective after the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1st, 2010.
In doing so, Urban Meyer, 45, said he is leaving Florida for health reasons. He was admitted to a hospital because of chest pains following the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship game against Alabama, and admittedly is leaving Florida because of health reasons.
Reportedly there is no imminent health danger. However, the chest pains (Meyer was treated for dehydration), and the fact that Urban Meyer lives with a cyst on his brain makes it clear: it's simply not worth the risk.
Thus, as Tim Tebow plays his last game for Florida in the Sugar Bowl, so will Urban Meyer coach his last game. The Florida athletic department released a statement on Saturday. In it, Urban Meyer explained his stepping down:
"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. 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. (Bernie) Machen, Jeremy Foley (UF athletic director) and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and my 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."
Urban Meyer is leaving Florida after helping the Gators win two national titles in five years at Florida. He is the only coach to win two BCS titles. Meyer is 95-18 in nine seasons, and is a three-time national coach of the year.
Urban Meyer's .848 winning percentage at Florida is the best in school history. His five-year record as he leaves the Gators is 56-10, including a school-record stretch of 22 straight consecutive wins, the fourth longest ever streak by an SEC team and the longest in the conference in 15 years.
Who could be potential successors to Urban Meyer? Names already being toss about include Oklahoma's Bob Stoops, Arkansas' Bobby Petrino, former Florida Gator and Super Bowl-winning NFL coach Mike Shanahan and former Meyer assistants Dan Mullen and Charlie Strong.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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