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?”