Florida Men's Basketball Coach Billy Donovan (Top) and Football Coach Urban Meyer (Bottom) have a lot in common after crawling back to Florida less than 24 hours after vacating those jobs [Courtesy Photos]
What a crazy weekend in the world of college sports. News Saturday night that Florida Football Coach Urban Meyer was resigning due to health concerns and wanting to be with his family. Then the next day Meyer recants his press release to the media and says he is taking an "indefinite leave of absence" but hopes to be back before the 2010 season. WHA???
Let's give a little background as to what happened. After the Southeastern Conference championship game three weeks ago, Meyer spent several hours in a Gainesville, Fla., hospital because of chest pains. Meyer said Sunday he had experienced similar problems at times this season but had not had a heart attack. Meyer also told Sports Illustrated last month that he suffered from persistent headaches caused by an arachnoid cyst that becomes inflamed by stress, rage and excitement.
Pat Forde describes the situation..."After handing in his resignation Saturday night, Meyer's mind was made up. Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said when he went to sleep Saturday night he did not think there was any chance Meyer would change his mind.
Meyer then apparently went out to practice and decided that burnout is for losers, and his family may or may not come before his players. They had a spirited practice in unseasonably cold weather and, shazam, Urban's not resigning after all!
Meyer also said family and health come first but clearly, he has put neither first during his intensely successful run as a coach. On Saturday night, Meyer told The New York Times that oldest daughter Nicki rejoiced at the news of his impending resignation, saying, "I've got my daddy back." Now it appears daddy is only back on temporary loan."
Forde sums it up best by stating that Meyer's judgement is a bit cloudy. When he made a sincere resignation from the heart on Saturday, that was the right thing to do. But to go behind your families back and change your mind is a pretty harsh and selfish thing to do.
I hope he takes time to heal from his medical issues and takes time to heal his family where he seems to be non-existant. Whatever the case may be, Meyer must air on the side of caution and not risk his life for a game.
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