In this Oct. 16, 2010, file photo, Florida's Urban Meyer looks on during the first half against Mississippi Sate in an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla. Meyer is stepping down as coach after the Gators appearance in the Outback Bowl. In a statement released by the university on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010, Meyer says "it is time to put my focus on my family and life away from the field." (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin, File)Urban Meyer steps down
Citing family reasons and a need to focus on other interests, Florida coach Urban Meyer retired Wednesday evening. Meyer briefly retired last December because of health issues and returned to the sideline.
Florida's disappointing season aside, Meyer's announcement screams of the demands on football coaches at all levels, but especially the strain on the guys leading the power programs in the SEC. Meyer will coach the Gators in the Outback Bowl against Penn State
Two thoughts from the fallout:
First, a great tweet from Mike Bianchi "Joe Paterno vs. Urban Meyer in Outback Bowl. Guess which one is retiring?"
Second, the names that will get tossed about to fill the Gators' gig will be huge. Seriously, this is a big boy job that don't for a second think anyone -yes, anyone - would not listen to discussions. And whomever is hired - Gators AD Jeremy Foley said they could get it done in two and a half weeks - it will create another good-sized opening.
The fallout is just starting.
Read related stories:
• Meyer steps aside Florida coach says family comes first
• Wiedmer: Maybe this time Meyer means it
• Florida football coach Meyer resigns
Huge game in Nashville
In this Nov. 29, 2009, file photo, Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher celebrates after the Titans beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 in an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. On Sunday, the two hottest NFL teams will square off in another chapter of this rivalry. The Indianapolis Colts will try to tie the NFL record for most consecutive regular-season wins, 21, while the Titans try to become the first team in league history to win six straight after losing their first six. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)Two teams that figured to be fighting it out for the AFC South are fighting for their postseason lives tonight when the Indy Colts visit the Titans.
Peyton Manning's well-discussed struggles have the Colts staring at their first missed postseason since 2001.
The Titans' implosion - a 5-2 start has become a 5-7 record - has been worse and even broguht about the what before the season would have been considered unthinkable.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher may be staring at the real situation of coaching for his job. And that's saying something.
Crawford strikes it rich
When Jayson Werth signed that ludicrous deal with the Washington Nationals, you know Carl Crawford just had to smile, right?
Well, Merry Christmas, Carl, who signed a seven-year, $140-plus million deal with the Boston Red Sox.
Two things here:
1. The Red Sox have now added Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to an already good lineup. Think Boston was less than thrilled about missing the playoffs last year? Yea, me too.
2. Now that the Red Sox made another splash, do you really think the Yankees are going to go quietly into the offseason. No way. Just a hunch, but Cliff Lee will be in pinstripes before the end of the week.
Coach K passes a legend
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski , center, talks to his team during a practice session.Duke's Mike Krzyzewski won his 877th game in Blue Devils' Wednesday romp over Bradley.
Coach K passed Adolph Rupp now ranks third all-time in wins among major men's college basketball coaches. Krzyzewski is two wins behind longtime rival Dean Smith and trails his mentor Bobby Knight's 902 career victories.
The top-ranked Devils will almost assuredly get Coach K by Smith before the end of the year. When the ACC schedule starts in 2011 and with Kyrie Irving's injured toe leaving his return uncertain, Knight's mark appears somewhat safe - at least until next year.
More award talk
Something smells a little funny about the SEC coaches award, dont' you think?
I mean c'mon.
Exhibit A: Gene Chizik has won two national coach of the year awards and the SEC coaches voted Steve Spurrier as the league's coach of the year.
Point 2: Nick Fairley was named the Lombardi winner as the top lineman in the country, but the overpowering defensive tackle who leads the league in sacks (10.5) and tackles for loss (21) was not the SEC defensive player of the year in the coaches' vote.
Well, to the winners go the spoils my tuckus.