Behind Blondie Park

Urban Meyers resigns as head football coach at the University of Florida!

Urban Meyer arrived at the University of Florida six years ago as one of college football’s most highly regarded up-and-coming coaches.

In a feat difficult to accomplish in today’s hype-filled sports world, Meyer not only lived up to the advance billing, he surpassed it.

Meyer will leave UF as the nation’s winningest active coach with 10 seasons or more following a six-year stretch like no other in the 105-year history of Florida football.

Meyer, 46, informed Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley over the weekend that he was contemplating resigning and the two finalized the plan Tuesday.

Meyer told the Gators of his decision during a team meeting earlier this afternoon. UF has scheduled a press conference for 6 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium where Meyer and Foley will address the media.

In a statement Meyers said: “I have been a Division I football coach for the last 25 years and, during that time, my primary focus has been helping my teams win titles,” Meyer said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, and I am a fierce competitor to my core. At this time in my life, however, I appreciate the sacrifices my 24/7 profession has demanded of me, and I know it is time to put my focus on my family and life away from the field. The decision to step down was a difficult one.

“But after spending more than two decades motivating and celebrating the young men I’ve been so proud to coach, I relish the opportunity to cheer for my three terrific kids as they compete in their own respective sports. I know how fortunate I am to be in a position to make this choice and to have a family that is as loving and supportive as my amazing wife and children have always been.”

Meyer will remain Florida’s head coach through the Outback Bowl in Tampa on New Year’s Day.

“I have been a Division I football coach for the last 25 years and, during that time, my primary focus has been helping my teams win titles,” Meyer said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, and I am a fierce competitor to my core. At this time in my life, however, I appreciate the sacrifices my 24/7 profession has demanded of me, and I know it is time to put my focus on my family and life away from the field. The decision to step down was a difficult one.  “

On numerous occasions in recent years, Bowden said he considered Meyer one of the best coaches in the game. He reiterated that at last year’s Gator Bowl when news of Meyer’s brief departure broke.

“He’s done as great a job at the University of Florida as has been done there, or anywhere else,’’ Bowden said. “I admire the way he handles himself and I really like his family.

“The college coaching profession will really miss him.’

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DE Ray Drew: Urban Meyer’s resignation at Florida ‘a big problem’

The news hit Ray Drew like tiles falling from the ceiling of his Literature class Wednesday afternoon at Thomas County Central High School.

“That’s just shocking. Wow,” exclaimed the AJC Super 11 defensive end, a 5-star prospect who had the Gators among his finalists. “I never would have thought that. After he came back after that last time I was assuming he’d he there for a while. I don’t know what to think or what to do.”

Drew, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound high school All-American who has fielded as many as 50 scholarship offers, included Florida in the six finalists he named late last month. The others were Georgia, Auburn, Clemson, LSU and Tennessee.

Posted by:  Leesa