NCAA 2009

[dps]

Well, the season turns out great for Marshall.  A bowl win and Snyder gone.   Mwahaha.

[MadBurgerMaker]

   What's this about Urban Meyer stepping down?  I just turned on the game.

Edit:  There's an article up about it now.  Health reasons:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4772952

Urban Meyer is stepping down as coach of the Florida football team, athletics director Jeremy Foley announced Saturday afternoon in a release.

"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," Meyer said in statement. "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. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and 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.

"I'm very appreciative for the opportunity I've had to be a part of a tremendous institution - from Dr. Machen to Jeremy Foley and the entire administrative staff at UF. I'm also very thankful for the chance to work with some of the best assistants in college football and coach some of the best college football players and watch them grow both on and off the field as people. I will cherish the relationships with them the most."

Meyer will coach his last game for Florida against Cincinnati on Jan. 1 at the Sugar Bowl.

[Neil]

Damn.  I bet the AD at Notre Dame is ready to commit ritual suicide.

[Ed Anger]

I bet nut cancer.

[CountDeMoney]

Holy nigger shit balls.

Yeah, from all the hints inbetween the lines, it's his health.

That, and once you've coached Tim Tebow, there's no more reason to live.

[sbr]

Heart problems

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-t25-florida-meyerresigns&prov=ap&type=lgns

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP)—Urban Meyer resigned Saturday as Florida's football coach after five seasons and two national titles because of health concerns that came to light when he suffered chest pains following the SEC championship game earlier this month.

The 45-year-old Meyer will coach his final game at the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati on New Year's Day.

He leaves No. 5 Florida with a 56-10 record that includes a 32-8 mark in league play and a school-record 22-game winning streak snapped earlier this month against Alabama in the Southeastern Conference title game Dec. 5.

"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," Meyer said in a statement. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family."

Meyer said he consulted with his family, his doctors, school president Bernie Machen and athletic director Jeremy Foley before deciding it is in his best interest to focus on his health and family.

Meyer will hold a news conference in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon.

"Coach Meyer and I have talked this through and I realize how hard this was for him to reach this decision," Foley said. "But the bottom line is that Coach Meyer needed to make a choice that is in the best interest of his well being and his family. I certainly appreciate what he has meant to the University of Florida, our football program and the Gator Nation. I have never seen anyone more committed to his players, his family and his program. Above all, I appreciate our friendship."

Excerpted from:  http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4772952

...Meyer has been to the hospital at least twice since suffering chest pains after the SEC title game, a Florida source told ESPN. He has been diagnosed with a heart valve muscle defect, the source said.

The problem is not life threatening, a Florida source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN's Chris Mortensen. The same source said Meyer will remain in Gainesville in a non-coaching role to be defined later....

[Barrister]

Shit.  As much as I dislike the Gators, Meyer seemed like a classy guy.  Hope he's okay.

[stjaba]

Me for the past few hours:





I don't know who could possibly replace Urban Meyer. The only coaches who are as good IMO are Saban and Carroll. There are rumors of issues at USC, but I can't see him leaving. Defensive Coordinator Charlie Strong would have been a decent replacement, but he already took the job at Louisville. Last year's offense coordinator, Dan Mullen, could be a good pick too, but the AD at UF may want a more seasoned coach- eg a long time head coach, as opposed to a long time coordinator. I think that's usually the safest choice, with the recent examples of Charlie Weis and Ron Zook bombing coming to mind.  We may try to pick off Bob Stoops, who's a good coach IMO, but he's not elite like Meyer/Carroll/Saban. At least I can say I was at UF during the whole Urban Meyer/Tim Tebow era. T

[dps]

Damn.  I bet the AD at Notre Dame is ready to commit ritual suicide.

I've seen speculation that ND knew about Meyer's health problems, which is why they didn't make any apparant serious effort to get him.

As for a replacement, I guess Strong could take the job and just blow Louisville off, though I don't see that as particularly likely.

[sbr]

Damn.  I bet the AD at Notre Dame is ready to commit ritual suicide.

I've seen speculation that ND knew about Meyer's health problems, which is why they didn't make any apparant serious effort to get him.

As for a replacement, I guess Strong could take the job and just blow Louisville off, though I don't see that as particularly likely.

From the ESPN article I linked above

Louisville media relations director Rocco Gasparro said Saturday night that Strong had signed a term sheet with the school, but not a formal contract. It is unclear whether the term sheet would be a sticking point should the Gators turn to Strong to replace Meyer.

[Syt]

Nice finish for PITT.

[CountDeMoney]

Nice finish for PITT.

They didn't cover the spread, so fuck them.

[stjaba]

Apparently, Urban Meyer is pulling a Billy Donovan*and is changing his mind. The word on the street is that he is going to take a leave of absence, either until August 2010 or 2011, and that the offensive coordinator is going to be the interim head coach. There's a press conference at 4:30 which should give more details. When I first heard the news, I actually thought that he was going to do something like that and I was shocked when I heard his resignation was final. Now it appears to be temporary.

*A few years ago, UF basketball coach Donovan was announced as the next Orlando Magic head coach and then 24 hours changed his mind to go back to UF.

[Ed Anger]

Leach is in trouble at TTech for mistreating Adam James, Craig's boy.

Ho ho.

http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/mike-leach-suspended-over-treatment-of-player-27494

[Eddie Teach]

Go Dawgs!