Urban Meyer

I'm confused. First Urban Meyer resigns. Then Urban Meyer doesn't resign, it's then reported he will be taking a year off. Then the latest, he will take some time off but be back on the sidelines when the Gators take the field for the first time next season. Steve Addazio will be the interim head coach, as reported, until coach Meyer returns.



With the announcements this weekend Meyer has accomplished a few things. He has stolen the thunder from Tim Tebow and his last football game in a Gators uniform. He has taken the Sugar Bowl away from his players to enjoy and put all the attention on him. He has become a distraction for the Gator football team that will be playing an undefeated Cincinnati Bearcat squad.



Now, I'm not saying that Meyer does not have have every right to step away from the game and get his health in order, but he is also sending mixed messages to the college football world, the university and his family. I question the timing of the announcement and the quick reversal for the need to come back next year. If his health and family are his number one priority I see no reason to be swayed by his players request for him to return and not resign or to take a year off . I fully understand his commitment to Florida and his players but his health must come first. Why not take full year off and get his health in order. Does he not have that much faith in his staff to keep the ship heading in the proper direction? Does he feel he may need this distraction for what could be a down year for the Gator Nation next year? Does he feel this could be used as an excuse if the Gators should fall flat in 2010?. I'm not in Urban Meyers head so I don't know what he is thinking and feel the last two comments are way out there but those points will be raised.

I started writing this entry on Sunday evening but had to hold off as more news started to come in from very credible news organizations so I had to wait to draw a full conclusion. I have concluded this though, there is something wrong with Urban Meyer, nobody except for Meyer, hopefully his wife, and doctors know what it is for sure. If Meyer feels he can come back in the fall then more power to him.

I find it though very disturbing though, that the hospital stay after the SEC Championship game was for a heart related issues and not the dehydration as reported by the university. The 911 call seems to point obviously to something more serious. Was the reason for the dehydration excuse to calm nerves in the Gator Nation. Was it used to help sway any recruits that were on the fence that all is well in Gainesville? Was the reason for the quick reversal of the resignation because national signing day is less five weeks away?

I do not want to know all the details of Meyer's ailments but would like to know the truth if they are going to talk about it. I feel the university and Meyer owe that to the players, future recruits and fan base. If the ailment was enough to warrant the thought of resigning then it is something that needs to be discussed concerning the future of the program.

I fully support Meyer's right to privacy and that line though does get blurred when living in the public eye. I would much rather him come out and say what the problem is then listen to or watch the endless hours of speculation from so called experts as to what is wrong with his ticker.

Coach Meyer needs to remember though that it is just football and if I had to choose between being healthy by walking away from football or living in pain because I'm walking the sidelines, I would choose to walk away and enjoy the time I spent on the sidelines and then enjoy my life.