Was Urban Meyer a mercenary or a real Gator?
by mlmintampa on Jan 7, 2011 12:16 AM EST
in Florida Football
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PrintOne of the things I have had a hard time reconciling with in the past few week is what to think of Urban Meyer's legacy. I don't think many fans think the same way, but I'm sure some do. After all, Meyer came in and restored glory and respect to something we hold very dearly. But his final season was essentially spent in cruise control, or worse, Meyer never gave the effort expected of his position to maintain Florida Football in 2010.
College football's constant movement of coaches limits any sort of loyalty a fan base can or should have with a head coach. In the case of Meyer, who had been job hopping until he came to Florida, he was a hired gun assigned to rebuild one team after another. When he came to Florida, maybe he was finally committed to a school. But by resigning, after a season like the last, was the commitment to himself or to the University?
It is a slippery slope to get on, but I think everything Meyer did at Florida was a sign that his only concern was his own status. Had he bought into becoming part of the University, he wouldn't have allowed so many players to play following legal issues, when a student under the same circumstances would face a significant punishment. Additionally, had he bought into becoming part of Gainesville, he would have been to more of his kids' ballgames, instead of needing a FHP trooper to chaperone him to those games. Folks in town are not going to harass you at the Little League field if you're there each week. And coaching at a SEC school sure as hell was not the reason why Meyer missed so many of his kids' games.
I don't blame Meyer for leaving, especially if it is for family reasons. But you have to be pretty blind to what is around you if you don't realize what the University and Gainesville could have offered. This is the part I keep coming back to. For those of us who lived in and went to school in Gainesville, it felt like the town always had you in an embrace. It's the reason why so many of us look for any excuse to return for a weekend. The only way Meyer missed this was if he was so consumed by his job that he never realized what situation he had fallen into. Meyer only had to look at the Donovan family, who moved grandparents and aunts and uncles from Long Island to Gainesville, to understand how the community takes in outsiders and makes them into lifers.
Is there honor then in essentially having tunnel vision and getting Florida two National Championships and buckets of revenue at a time when every cent matters? Sure, if you really think the only way for Florida to win those titles was for Meyer to work himself into a frenzy. For those of us who need Gatorade to wash out the sour taste left by the 2010 season, eventually we'll get over it. If Meyer stays retired, the years will be much kinder to his legacy and we'll forget about all this, just as we have forgotten about Billy Donovan going to the Magic. If Meyer stays in town and embraces a community that we have all loved, then he can be a real Gator.
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Only One Answer to Me: Yes - He was a Gator
He was a coach. It’s a job. But he poured his heart into it. He loved coaching the Gators. I think that makes him more of a Gator than most. Everyone – including the best Gator players- have self-interests at stake. This doesn’t mean they aren’t Gators. Even the fans have self-interests: win win win……and bashing the team and staff if this doesn’t happen.
And I think his legacy is awesome: 2 championships; 1 near championship; Tebow; and so many other things….
On top of that...
He tried retiring the year before for health reasons, and came back at the request of Jeremy Foley.
So he came back, and it didn’t work out, the delegation of responsibilities… so no. I can’t blame him for not wanting to put in the same effort he HAD been putting in that nearly killed him.
He’s a Gator, without question.
by The Commenter Formerly Known as Not You on Jan 7, 2011 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
Real Gator. He did more to establish Florida tradition than even Spurrier did.
Even the mighty Spurrier bailed on his team and apparently was insulted that he had to interview for the opening.
As far as job hopping, he wasn’t job hopping – he was upgrading.
Job hopping would suggest lateral moves, like going from call center to call center.
Going from small, to mid major to major is like going from Rob’s records, to Sam Goody to Warner Brothers – only a very unintelligent person or someone very terrified would not take a payoff for at least a bit.
While I am sure he’ll coach again (Tressel may retire after this fiasco and Meyer might take that gig) he did what was right – make a name, take the payoff then get out.
As far as Gainesville, it’s not for everyone. Rumor has it one of the reasons his oldest daughter went to GT is because she couldn’t wait to get out of Gainesville.
Spurrier was insulted that he had to interview for the opening.
Wouldn’t you be?
I mean seriously. If I was him and they asked me to hand in a resume and go through the interview process, I’d say “Screw you” and go to another team in the division as well. That does nothing to diminish Spurrier.
Spurrier did more for the University than Urban can ever dream of. Without Spurrier, there is no program so close to greatness for Urban to take over. Spurrier made Florida a national brand, he is the one that is responsible for all the boosters showing up. Spurrier didn’t bail on anybody.
he (Meyer) did what was right – make a name, take the payoff then get out.
How can you say that…but then say Spurrier bailed on the team? Spurrier did this exact same thing. So therefore…both bailed according to your logic.
The Once and Future King
1. Why SHOULDN’T Spurrier have to interview ? If he’s to be believed, he felt he’d done all he could when he took Snyder’s money. He wasn’t Foley’s hire in the first place. He fizzled out in Washington. Foley was searching for a coach in 2004. The old guy most certainly should have had to interview.
Example – if you helped make a telephone company successful, should you just be given the job of running them now that they’re wireless just because you did well when they were analog ? Not a chance.
2. Spurrier bailing because he f’d up the hurt hiring process by quitting so late. Meyer at least had the decency to sleepwalk through one more year so as not to let another Zook happen last year.
3. Spurrier DID put them on the map, nobody will dispute that. however, it was Meyer who took them to a whole new level and paid respect to the school’s tradition.
PS Let’s not act like Spurrier was the only one who could have made them a brand. He was the right coach at the right time and he benefited from the times as much as the school did on his arrival
To argue otherwise is to argue with the great Bear Bryant.
You don’t have Steve Spurrier interview. Sorry. That just doesn’t happen. Do you think Pete Carroll interviewed for the Seahawks? How about Spurrier with the Redskins? Mike Sherman with Texas A&M? RichRod at Michigan?
Not one of them interviewed. I guarantee it.
I’m curious though. Which other football coach aside from Spurrier made the Gators as a national brand? Your comment alludes to someone before Spurrier…….I’ll wait.
The Once and Future King
Of course they interviewed.
Everyone interviews. Sometimes it’s a formality, but they interview.
Since Foley was not the one who hired Spurrier in the first place, but was now running the show, you’re damn right Spurrier should have to interview.
He was burnt out when he left Florida and he f*cked them over – when you are going to shell out millions of dollars to hire a coach, it’s bad business to NOT interview him to find out his intentions.
You honestly think Rich Rod didn’t interview even when we know they wanted Les Miles badly ?
You think Mike Sherman, he of no notable accomplishments, didn’t have to interview for a once proud program desperately trying to rebuild especially after the Franchione debacle ?
I don’t know if you think NCAA is a volunteer league or what, but if you think people aren’t being interviewed you’re crazy.
Also, I alluded to nobody else. What I did reference was Bear Bryant’s quote ""If they get the right coach at Florida…everyone else in the SEC will be playing for second place."
Spurrier sat on the most fertile recruiting ground in the conference. He came out tossing it in a running league. So, it was inevitable that Florida would become a power. Spurrier was the lucky beneficiary of that.
Spurrier was never all in. That’s why Meyer had more success in a much tougher conference than the one Spurrier coached in.
It’s easy to say “Spurrier made Meyer possible” but that’s incorrect. Florida was waiting to break out huge. Spurrier benefited from timing. It’s not like Meyer followed Spurrier in a perfect succession plan and took over the machine. Spurrier’s horrible and thoughtless departure resulted in Zook which resulted in a perception that Florida was a passing fancy, a small flash in the pan that caught the league off guard, that the league had now caught up with.
LOL
So, in your opinion, you think Paul Allen gave Pete Carroll, he of the impressive 33-31 career record, 6 million dollars over 5 years without asking so much as a single question about how he plans to run the team ? Not a “how do you plan to get us back in contention?”
Not a “are you going to build through the draft or free agency?”
I hope you’re not serious.
I'm not sure why it matters...
I hear this idea thrown around a lot on message boards. Not just in regard to Meyer, but other coaches as well. Is he a Michigan man? Is he a real Gator? I fail to see why we’re interested in determining whether or not Meyer was this ambiguous concept of a “real Gator”. I went to Florida, and there were things in Gainesville I liked, and plenty of stuff I didn’t. Does the fact that I have some bad memories during my time in Gainesville make me not a “real Gator”?
I just think that as fans we are asking for too much from our coaches. We’re a premier football program, with a fanbase that has often unrealistic expectations, and Meyer met and exceeded those expectations. Now that he’s gone, we’re questioning his allegiance to the university and town for what reason? How can we ask for a coach to take us to the highest levels of college football, and also ask that they somehow fit into this idea of a “real Gator” at the same time? I understand wanting your coach to embrace the university culture, but I can’t find any reason to suspect that Meyer didn’t, and using his attendance at Little League games to suggest otherwise is ridiculous.
All Urban Meyer did for this university was be the best coach we’ve ever had. I know that to some, Spurrier will always hold that place, but the numbers don’t lie. Meyer took this program to a height that we’ve never before been to, and to question his loyalty now is my opinion, not very indicative of a “real Gator”.
I think the only reason
someone can question Meyer’s allegiance is based soley on his statements about the Notre Dame HC job, and I don’t blame him for that since he’s apparently a devoute catholic.
Get out of my House!
I agree with Cardsfans25. Nothing to add…
Steve Addazio is gone! Thank you Temple!!!!
I will not buy any PPV promoted by Bob Arum.
I’m going with mercenary. I’ve said that day one. Even if he didn’t have health issues, he wasn’t going to stick around for nearly as long as Spurrier did. I said he’d stay for half of what Spurrier did. But I wasn’t planning on health issues. Too many jobs out there for him to take to not be a mercenary. Ohio State and Notre Dame come to mind.
In fact…he said his sole reason for picking Florida over Note Dame in 2005 was because of the better opportunity to win. Recruits, better team already in place….etc.
While he did establish some things like the black strips over the helmets for freshman, transfers, singing of the Alma Mater, Gator Walk…you could always see it in his face that he never really “felt it.”
The Once and Future King
Wow
He chose to come to Florida because he had a better chance at winning. That makes him intelligent. What other reason should he have stated? Oh, besides better facilities, recruits, fan support, weather. I love Spurrier to death but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate what Urban did in his time here. Two NC’s, new traditions, etc… By the way, what does someone’s face look like when they’re “feeling it?”
How can he not be a Gator, yet be the next member of Florida’s Ring of Honor? Give me a break! Twice as many National Championships as any other head coach in Florida history, in only 6 years. Gator for Life!
Urban a mercenary?
If he would have left after last year as he wanted to, this is a non-story. I think his loyalty to the school and community helped change his mind and come back for one last ill-fated year. Also, I saw him at numerous baseball games (my son played in the same league as his son) and here was never a state trooper with him. You seem to be looking for reasons to prove why he was not a “real Gator.” Times have changed. Just ask Nittany Lion fans how having one coach forever is working out for them.
The Tebow Documentary on ESPN
Was pretty awesome, I do have to admit. That Nole killer is a class act and his taste in music with “Where I’m From” was great too. Surprised nobody else on here has posted about it….
he was a gator.
Just burned out earlier than expected….
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
To us winning is a tradition. We are victors and need not explain. You may hate us, but your girlfriends love us. - BC
One more than Shaq. - Kobe answering how it felt to win Championship number 5.
by silverstreak3k on Jan 7, 2011 1:47 PM EST via mobile reply actions
True Gator
No questions asked. I seriously think he stays retired as a HC forever, and if not forever, at the minimum 3 years. I also think he stays in Gainesville I dont see him leaving. In fact I would honestly think he will hold to his word and be involved with the gator athletics in some way.
Alot of people treat this like he went 0-12, left the team in the dumpster, bolted to the U, and won 4 straight NC’s while our program went 0-48 during that time.
Yes this season was frustrating, but we still won the Outback Bowl.
If you're not a Gator, you're Gatorbait!
I can see 3 years
I think he will be the HC at Notre Dame someday, but he will always be one of my dear Gator coaches. Meyer & Spurrier at the top with Hall and Pell after that. Hopefully Muschamp joins that Meyer & Spurrier echelon in the next 6 years.
Get out of my House!
This stupid...
He said he was a Gator at heart and all that stuff, so I think he earned the respect for us to at least give him that. You could tell it was tough on him to quit. And he would go to Gator basketball games as well, if he didnt give a shit about the school, why would he even bother?
"When you argue correctly, you're never wrong."-Nick Naylor
Paragraphs 3 & 4
I hope this was a “Devil’s Adovcate”, otherwise we have gotten too spoiled and too distant from our beloved Gators…
God Damn…
I'm just gonna post this here...
From Urban on Sr Day this year (referring to Black and Pouncy)
"I don’t use the word ‘cry’ – that’s soft," Meyer said after the game. "Whimper? Eye moisture and whimper. [Does] ‘whimper’ sound tough enough? Balled my eyes off then. I was emotional, those are good guys."
GATOR
I have nothing against Merch’s, have referred to myself as such more then once. Still, I can only hope this is a attempt and pure old fashioned shit stirring.
by SC-Gator on Jan 7, 2011 10:43 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
True Gator
But now he’s gone and we’re better for it. He did us all a favor with the successes AND by moving on. All this talk of Ohio State, Notre Dame, etc. GO AHEAD HAVE HIM HE’S DAMAGED HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH YOUR 8-AND-5-ISH
And that’s business.
I give Meyer the benefit of the doubt.
After all, 2 national championships and coaching a Heisman winner have a way of smoothing things out. And to be fair, it takes a lot of physical and emotional energy to even be in position to win it all.
To put this into perspective, it took Joe Paterno 21 seasons at Penn State (if my counting is correct) to achieve 2 titles. Bobby Bowden needed 24 seasons at FSU to achieve the same. Meyer only needed 4. (Okay, he inherited a top job, but it’s still very impressive). And Meyer coached three 13-win teams in four seasons. No one else even did it back-to-back. And of course, he’s beaten both of those coaches during his time at UF. To me, the sheer body of work he’s done at Florida, and in such a short period of time no less, is initiation enough.
I’d much rather use my energy to focus on the Muschamp era in the near future than poo-poo Meyer now, but that’s just me.
by V. Money on Jan 8, 2011 8:35 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Gator
He and Spurrier are so similar, however Urban won 1 more National Title in half the time.
I’ll always be thankful for Urban Meyer’s contributions to the University.
This post is nuts
Meyer did not even jump to another job.
Beyond that, your definition of a coach “being a Gator” would basically include 2 people – Ray Graves and Steve Spurrier.
Hell, will Billy Donovan “be a Gator” when he goes to the NBA eventually?
What are Meyer's health problems?
Nowadays in sports, it is truly rare that loyalty is observed. Two National Championships are more significant that length of service IMHO.
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