December 12, 2008

Meyer: Notre Dame is my dream job

In comments that harken back to our recent thread that Florida coach Urban Meyer will be the next head coach of Notre Dame, Meyer himself raised eyebrows again confirming that his "dream job" is that of Irish head coach during an interview on Jim Mandich’s WQAM AM-560 radio show this week.

Mandich: "I think a lot of people were fascinated that (in 2004) you were looking at Notre Dame and the University of Florida, and you turned down what at one time was your dream job. Take us through that again, and what was behind your thinking."

Meyer: “Well, Florida was already in the 11th hour (of negotiations). We'd met twice with (UF athletic director) Jeremy Foley, and my wife... we, were very drawn to Florida. Notre Dame is still my dream job. That hasn't changed.

"It's just that, at that time in my life, to be the head coach at Notre Dame, you're on a plane recruiting, because you recruit San Diego as hard as you recruit New York, as hard as you recruit California, Florida, Texas, Ohio. It's a national recruiting base. I recruited there for six years (as an assistant coach), and I spent every night in a hotel, in an airport. And I'm going to be a good father first.

"Once my kids are done, you know, maybe someday I'll go coach there. I don't know that. That's way down the road. Being a father and being able to recruit the best athletes in America within a five-hour radius of my home. That's why I came to Florida. And I thought we could have a great chance at success."

Deep breath, Gator fans. Meyer says this is down the road... in the future.

But... just weeks before his second BCS championship game in three years... at a time when Coach Weis is on shaky ground... Meyer is talking about Notre Dame.

That has to give even the biggest Bull Gator a little pause.

Comments:

Meyer: Notre Dame is my dream job
In comments that harken back to our recent thread that Florida coach Urban Meyer will be the next head coach of Notre Dame, Meyer himself raised eyebrows again confirming that his "dream job" is that of Irish head coach during an interview on Jim Mandich’s WQAM AM-560 radio show this week.
Mandich: "I think a lot of people were fascinated that (in 2004) you were looking at Notre Dame and the University of Florida, and you turned down what at one time was your dream job. Take us through that again, and what was behind your thinking." Meyer: “Well, Florida was already in the 11th hour (of negotiations). We'd met twice with (UF athletic director) Jeremy Foley, and my wife... we, were very drawn to Florida. Notre Dame is still my dream job. That hasn't changed. "It's just that, at that time in my life, to be the head coach at Notre Dame, you're on a plane recruiting, because you recruit San Diego as hard as you recruit New York, as hard as you recruit California, Florida, Texas, Ohio. It's a national recruiting base. I recruited there for six years (as an assistant coach), and I spent every night in a hotel, in an airport. And I'm going to be a good father first. "Once my kids are done, you know, maybe someday I'll go coach there. I don't know that. That's way down the road. Being a father and being able to recruit the best athletes in America within a five-hour radius of my home. That's why I came to Florida. And I thought we could have a great chance at success."
Deep breath, Gator fans. Meyer says this is down the road... in the future. But... just weeks before his second BCS championship game in three years... at a time when Coach Weis is on shaky ground... Meyer is talking about Notre Dame. That has to give even the biggest Bull Gator a little pause.