November 21, 2004
Urban Meyer to be next Florida coach
UPDATE: It's official. Get the latest on Urban Meyer to Florida, Florida football, SEC Football, and college football.
FoxSports.com is going forward with the rumor that Utah coach Urban Meyer has agreed to become the next coach of the Florida Gators. For it's part, Florida has said that they haven't even started talking to coaches.
I'm wondering if Florida has the stones to offer the job to Ron Zook. He did a pretty good job of working over Florida State. I hear he's available and he's 1-0 at Bobby Bowden Field.
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Comments & Trackbacks
Michael Hickerson says:
posted on November 21, 2004 04:32 PM — linkYou have to wonder if this turns out not to be true, will the Florida search be like Nebraska's was last year where they had to settle for Callahan...
Kevin Donahue says:
posted on November 21, 2004 06:02 PM — linkFlorida could do a lot worse than Frank Solich....
Don VanDemark says:
posted on November 21, 2004 07:46 PM — linkAll the pro-Zook sentiment now is exactly why Florida fired him mid-season. In typical Zook fashion, he won a game he shouldn't have; even on this game that he won, he made typical Zook calls: a play-action to run out the clock when the running of Fason had been dominant.
Some college somewhere will be blind to the bad coaching and see the "success" at Florida and will offer him a head spot. Good luck.
Aaron says:
posted on November 21, 2004 11:03 PM — linkMichael, I won't justify it, but most Arkansas fans fully believe that Nutt used that offer as a bargaining tool to become locked in at the U of A. Common thinking is that there is no doubt he will replace Frank Broyles as our AD in a few years. Sorry, Nebraska.
As for Meyer going to Florida, I wouldn't be surprised. But I still believe that Washington is going to sneak in and grab a big name coach from somewhere.
Ben Prather says:
posted on November 22, 2004 09:21 AM — linkEveryone is talking about Urban Meyer, but I really think Dan Hawkings from Boise State is much more likely to relocate than Meyer.
He has constantly made comments about his schools woefully inadiquate facilities and other gripes about the funding of the Boise State football program. Through all that he consistantly wins. Maybe, if things go well, they might move up to the MWC and have a shot at the BCS like Utah had this year.
Meyer had boosters throw down large money to fund new facilities for his team as soon as the team asked for it. Whatever he has asked of Utah they have provided. As for the not being a BCS team, I would like to think a PAC 10 invite is likely eventually, if not this off season.
Don VanDemark says:
posted on November 22, 2004 09:53 AM — linkThe Pac 10 has been stubborn in their insistence that they will not expand. If they did, I agree Utah would be a likely choice as would BYU because most Pac 10 teams are paired geographically with another (makes for easier travel in the non-revenue sports).
However, financially, Meyer has to go somewhere else. Whether it's Florida or not, he can make 5-6 times what he makes at Utah; why stick around?
Mike says:
posted on November 22, 2004 03:00 PM — linkI agree with Ben, Hawkins is doing a heck of a job up there on the Smurf Turf, and his offense is Florida-style explosive.
Bob says:
posted on November 22, 2004 04:15 PM — linkUrban Meyer, makes about $500,000 right now at Utah, about 3-4 times less than he would make at Florida. But I don't think that Florida is the job he wants. He's from the midwest and he wants to coach there. His wife has said that she is very happy in Salt Lake City and doesn't want to move, but if Urban wants to make the move he will. I wouldn't be surprised, though, to see him stay at Utah for another year before moving on to a BCS school.
With a lot of players returning next year including Alex Smith, next years Utah team has the potential of being even better than this years team. And with what should be a tougher schedule next year, they may have a legitimate shot at the title with another undefeated season. Unlikely, yes but possible.
Jason says:
posted on November 22, 2004 07:25 PM — linkMeyer won't make more than 1 million at florida if he does get it. It wouldn't make sense for florida to offer him more than that. However I think Utah's package while gase is 500k has some fringe benefits that could be added to keep him in Utah.
With Utah likely a top 10 ranking to start the season next year they will be back in the BCS and meyer can't pass that up, no coach could.
John says:
posted on November 22, 2004 07:31 PM — linkI believe Urban will stay at Utah for at least 2-3 years or when the Notre Dame job opens up.
Kevin Donahue says:
posted on November 22, 2004 08:29 PM — linkYou're insane to think Meyer wouldn't get more than $1 million at Florida.
Look at the two schools football revenues:
Florida takes in $42,710,967 in football revenue versus $12,571,701 in expenses. That's a $30 million profit - just in football.
Utah's football revenues are $4,726,994 versus $5,781,984 in football expenses. Football at Utah is a net loss.
Here's a stark look at how much bigger Florida football is than Utah football: Florida will pay Ron Zook $450,000 for the next four years NOT to coach. UF is paying someone to sit at home almsot as much as Utah pays their coach!I'm not a budget planner, but it would seem to me that Florida might be able to come up with an extra dime or two to pay a coach.
What you have, Jason, is a hope that Meyer won't leave. Sorry, dude. He's already auditioning for his next gig.TNGator says:
posted on November 23, 2004 03:56 AM — linkIt's hilarious that since Zook went on a winning streak, people are coming out with the 'you'd better keep him attitude'....so far, the only people that I have seen saying this are the fans from the other schools *lol*. Heck, If I wasn't a UF fan and he was your coach, I would want you to keep him too ;) Seriously, though, Zook is a good person and a heck of a recruiter, but outside of that take a look at how coddled the players have been. I mean, he didn't think that Crowder or Charles should have even been suspended. I think Meyer will make a good fit for the Gators and if you look at his history: 2 years here, 2 years there; the ND job will prolly be open and if he wanted it he could potentially hold us over a barrel for higher pay or go after the job in earnest once it opens up in a couple of years. His stock is too high for not to leave Utah and essentially, due to their conference, this year will be about the best they could ever hope for or expect.
Kevin Donahue says:
posted on November 23, 2004 02:27 PM — linkBoise State is making it's move to keep Hawkins. He's cashing in bonuses and getting another raise if he stays with Boise State.
(Well, duh, AP writer. They aren't going to pay him if he doesn't.)
Ben Prather says:
posted on November 23, 2004 06:20 PM — linkFlorida is used to spenting all that money, and has it all divied up, with a set remainer for the coach, Zooks pay. With the lowered performance, the gains might tighten, lowering the availabe funds even more. Granted the current rate is about 3-4 times.
Utah has been used to a much lower pay plan, and had lots of extra money that is not in thier budget, to the tune of 7 million dollars this year. That might be a nice bonus to secure the hotest coach in the land.
From SEC College Football - Fanblogs.com
pinged on Nov 24, 2004 10:41 AMAs the Urban Meyer as the Head Coach at Florida rumors continue to percolate, Gator fan Doctor V has started a website of his own, FireUrbanMeyer.com....
Penny says:
posted on December 1, 2004 06:46 PM — linkHey Urban is an amazing coach and should do whatever is best for his family and take the big opertunities!
bayzing says:
posted on December 3, 2004 11:11 AM — linkURBAN to NOTRE DAME
It's a done deal. Sorry Florida fans.... you'll have to settle for someone else. Never count your eggs before they hatch!!!
From SEC College Football - Fanblogs.com
pinged on Dec 3, 2004 1:23 PMHaving met with both Florida and Notre Dame, The Jacksonville Times-Union has two sources confirming that Florida has offered the Head Coach position to Urban Meyer and that Meyer has accepted the job at $2+ million/year. Florida has scheduled a press ...
