The End of an Era

For those of you who don't know already, I am a huge Florida Gators football fan. When I heard the news yesterday of Urban Meyer stepping down as Florida's Head Coach, I was astonished. I couldn't believe it.

I knew that he was having a little health trouble but nothing that would lead to this. You know it has to be somewhat serious. Meyer loves his job and works harder at it then any other coach in the country. He never takes a day off. He works 365 days a year and that's what people need to understand when it comes to coaching college football; especially at a place like the University of Florida. Which is arguably the best job in all of College Football.

In the end, I think it's for the best. If he thinks it's best he step down then it's a good decision. If his health is going to affect his coaching then it is the right decision in the end. And I respect that.

As for who will replace him. To tell you the truth, I hope it's Dan Mullen from Mississippi State or Bob Stoops from Oklahoma and nobody else. They both make sense. Mullen was Urban's Offensive Coordinator for 4 years before moving on to become HC at MSU this season. Stoops was an assistant under Steve Spurrier and also the defensive coordinator before moving to Oklahoma in the late 90's.

As a Gator fan I don't want anybody else. I don't want a mid-major coach. Granted Urban came from Utah. I want somebody who is familiar with the program, can continue getting top notch athletes from the state of Florida and continue the tradition of Florida football. Mullen and Stoops can do that.

Questionable Coaching

As I look back on Florida's last two losses, I am starting to question part of Urban Meyer's coaching. I am astounded at his time management after losing two weeks ago to Auburn and LSU on Saturday.

Against Auburn, Florida had one timeout left as the Tigers had the ball around the Gators 35, with around 50 seconds left; Urban Meyer let the clock run all the way down to 3 seconds instead of taking the timeout and having Auburn kick the field goal with about 30 seconds left. I mean, if Auburn makes the field goal, why not give your team a chance to go down and either tie it or win it with about 25 seconds left? Better to have your own teams fate lying in your own hands, instead of the other teams.

Again, Saturday night Urban Meyer did just about the same thing vs. LSU. After a running play on 2nd down, LSU had the ball with about 1:40 left to play, Meyer let the clock run all the way down to about 1:10 instead of taking the timeout right after the play. LSU punched in the eventual winning touchdown with about 35-45 seconds left. Urban and the Gators easily could have had 30 more seconds of time to win the game at LSU.

Urban Meyer is obviously a great coach and in my opinion, the 2nd best College Football Coach in the country. But his time management may have caused his teams chance at repeating as national champions. Florida is a young team this year, talented, but still young. Urban, you're recent coaching didn't help them one bit, and this young team, particularly the defense, needs all the breaks it can get.