Urban Meyer to step down amid report he had heart attack during season (Sunday Noon)

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Please share updates as you find them. You can also follow some of the developments by clicking here. As usual, we will also follow news and insight from across the “Tweetesphere” that you can follow from our Twitter page.

 

Sunday, 11am Update
Meyer will hold a press conference around 4:30pm this afternoon.

The Gainesville Sun has an interesting article this morning discussing how Skip Prosser’s death played a role in Meyer’s decision.

 

Sunday, 12noon Update
Whenever EDSBS speaks, we listen. Love their comments and their list posted here.

One name worth mentioning is Charlie Strong. I read the first paragraph of this blog entry and wondered how this guy got into my head.

When the news first came down that Urban Meyer was stepping down, one of our first reactions — after several very loud and very verbal holy sh-t’s — was that Charlie Strong has to be kicking himself in the ass right about now.

This link will take you to a video from ESPN’s Pat Forde.

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Saturday, 8:30pm Update
Or health issues or true burnout? If reports that Meyer will accept another role within the Florida Athletics Department are true, then it is hard to imagine much ‘smoke’ here other than health issues.

 

Saturday, 9:15pm Update

NBC Sports is reporting:

While the news that Urban Meyer was stepping down was shocking in and of itself, at least one of the details that’s beginning to trickle out does not do justice to the word “stunning”.

According to a report from WKMG-TV in Orlando, Meyer had suffered a heart attack this year. During the football season.

Citing an unnamed source, sports director Dave Pingalore reported that Meyer did not inform anyone that he’d suffered a heart attack. Again, Pingalore reports that Meyer suffered a heart attack during the football season and didn’t inform anyone.

Buster Sports has created a “potential list” of candidates that can be seen by clicking here but I have a hard time accepting it as quality work when the last name Stoops is nowhere to be found.

…somewhere out there someone from the Tennessee Athletics Department is pleading with Lane Kiffin to not open his mouth about this…

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34 Responses to Urban Meyer to step down amid report he had heart attack during season (Sunday Noon)

  1. Wulfpack 12/26/2009 at 7:59 PM #

    There is a post on the boards with ESPN’s article confirming the story. It’s neither NFL or scandal — only his health.

  2. Canis 12/26/2009 at 8:11 PM #

    I don’t buy it for a second

  3. ncsufan13 12/26/2009 at 8:14 PM #

    Maybe Urban had an affair with Tiger as well?

  4. GAWolf 12/26/2009 at 8:17 PM #

    So the question is whether it’s physical or mental health issues. Ther Gator’s rival site claims he went to the hospitgal after the Bama game for “dehydration”.

  5. Wulfpack 12/26/2009 at 8:22 PM #

    It could be any number of things. But if his doctors told him he was a walking time bomb due to the long hours and stress of coaching college football, and he finally came to terms with it, I say good for him. His children are quoted as saying that they got their dad back.

    And Urban probably doesn’t want his medical history out there for public viewing.

  6. redwolf87 12/26/2009 at 8:22 PM #

    Remember that we had a great coach in the early 90’s that stepped away from the game for similar reasons as have been stated. There is no question that was legitimate. Until I hear otherwise, there is no reason to think any different with Urban.

    Meyer may not be everyone’s favorite guy, but I hope he is sincere in this and will do what he needs to do to ensure his health for himself and his family.

  7. LRM 12/26/2009 at 8:37 PM #

    Can you imagine the firestorm had he done this before Notre Dame hired Kelly?

  8. VaWolf82 12/26/2009 at 8:38 PM #

    The article at espn says that Meyer was admitted to the hospital with chest pains after the SEC championship game.

  9. ADVENTUROO 12/26/2009 at 8:38 PM #

    Lets give the guy a break. He had chest pains and was hospitalized. He has had a stellar career….WE should be so lucky. Two national championships. His family is elated. He has probably made more $$’s than he could spend. He has a great family. He needs some room to get his life together. Lou (I used to coach at NCSU) Gibbs said that once a coach….always a coach. Lou, as much I love him, needs to have his meds checked.

    Urban Meyer has made an intelligent decision. He has his priorities in place. Why try to dig around and find some supposed dirt. His wife does not appear to be chasing him around with a pitching wedge, there are no allegations of impropriety….

    If you have ever had a life changing diagnosis (like Cancer), you truly understand why changing your priorities is paramount.

    Let’s keep this positive and wish him the best.

    BTW….UNX LOSES….Butchy Boy is NOW 0 & 2 in the Muffler Bowl.

  10. graywolf 12/26/2009 at 8:48 PM #

    Health related…..so it really might be serious. Lets give the guy a break until we know more.

    Congratulations to the Pitt Panthers on beating Carolina.

  11. hoop 12/26/2009 at 9:26 PM #

    This reminds me of the whole Dick Sheridan situation years ago. I couldn’t help but wonder what ‘health related issues’ meant, if there was a lot more to it than that. But in the end we all moved on.

    At least Florida got a national championship out of it before he retired.

  12. goforit 12/26/2009 at 9:44 PM #

    “Lets give the guy a break. He had chest pains and was hospitalized. He has had a stellar career….WE should be so lucky. Two national championships. His family is elated. He has probably made more $$’s than he could spend. He has a great family. He needs some room to get his life together. Lou (I used to coach at NCSU) Gibbs said that once a coach….always a coach. Lou, as much I love him, needs to have his meds checked.”

    Who is Lou Gibbs? 🙂

  13. 61Packer 12/26/2009 at 10:24 PM #

    Would we be discussing this if ‘Bama were playing in the Sugar Bowl again this New Year’s Day instead of Florida?

  14. wolfpackdawg 12/26/2009 at 10:49 PM #

    Probably a culmination of health, losing Doc Holliday, Charlie Strong, another asst. Gonzalez….Baby Jesus reincarnated (Tebow)…IMO.

    All good reasons to step down.

  15. packalum44 12/26/2009 at 11:19 PM #

    Enough of the talk that his job is too stressful. There are plenty of surgeons out there who have life and death decisions to make EVERY day. He has genetic health issues. Hope he is okay.

    Or if they’re right, maybe he should just come work here where there are no expectations or pressure.

  16. howlie 12/27/2009 at 1:35 AM #

    C. Cowherd did a show a few weeks back where he stated the FL program was in serious problems because so many of his assistant coaches had been poached by other teams… and his braintrust was gone [like Bowden after his assistants were hired away; Pete Carrol; etc.].

    These could have contributed to his poor health, and could have made the ‘writing on the wall’ clear that he was going nowhere but south–quickly.

  17. wolfmanmat 12/27/2009 at 8:11 AM #

    A good coach…

  18. Jamie 12/27/2009 at 10:46 AM #

    Nothing better than going out on top.
    Urban Meyer > Brett Favre.

  19. Alpha Wolf 12/27/2009 at 10:58 AM #

    The Sugar Bowl will have two teams with new coaches next season. Strange.

    Meyer has lost not only his core coaches but also his top recruiter and after the bowl game, Tim Tebow too. This at the same time Alabama is reaching the top and Tennessee is racking up great classes.

    I look to Meyer as being a top TV guy starting as soon as next year.

  20. WolfInVolCountry 12/27/2009 at 1:56 PM #

    I have always respected Meyer as a coach, I hope he heals.

    I know that it is early to speculate on a new coach, but might as well throw in my two cents.

    ESPN reported (and various internet blogs chimed in) that Mike Shanahan might be a possible successor. I have followed the Denver Broncos all my life and remember on several occasions how much he talked about Florida and how he held the Gators in high regard. He also has a penchant of wanting total control of an organization. That was his downfall in Denver. Totally taking over a top five major college program would be right up his alley.

  21. Wulfpack 12/27/2009 at 3:25 PM #

    ESPN is reporting that Meyer is taking a leave of absence, and offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will assume the interim role.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4774134

  23. WolfInVolCountry 12/27/2009 at 3:32 PM #

    Yeah, just heard that on CBS.

    Ala Emily Litella regarding what I posted… Never Mind!

  24. 61Packer 12/27/2009 at 3:58 PM #

    If Bobby Ewing came back, I guess Urban Meyer can too.

  25. Pack Mentality 12/27/2009 at 4:24 PM #

    Did y’all hear on the Sports Reporters this morning Butch Davis was mentioned as a replacement to Meyer. To me that just shows blind and wild speculation to a national audience with no facts to back it up. Would his 8 wins, bowl losses, or losses to rivals be what is attractive to FL? LOL!!!

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