Urban Meyer cites health reasons in stepping down as Florida coach
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Urban Meyer, who had led Florida to two BCS national championships in five years, will step down as the Gators’ coach after the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl game against Cincinnati.
In a statement released by the university this afternoon, Meyer said, ‘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. Jeremy Foley [Florida athletic director] and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family.’
Meyer reportedly had chest pains following the Gators’ loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game.
Meyer is the winningest active college football coach with a record of 95-18 (.841 winning percentage) in nine seasons. He has a record of 56-10 at Florida, tying Alabama’s Frank Thomas as the fastest coach to reach 50 wins in SEC play, doing so in 59 games. He is 32-8 in conference play, including a school-record 22-game winning streak.
He joined the Gators in 2005 after winning national coach-of-the-year honors while at Utah in 2004. He coached Bowling Green in 2001 and 2002 and joined the Utes in 2003.
-- Dan Loumena
