What was the Point?

It’s only a few days until the All-State Sugar Bowl game and with the coaching news surrounding Cincinnati finally calming down a bit, one would think the focus should be about the game itself. Tebow’s last game against a fast Cincinnati defense and the Gators strong SEC defense versus the spread option attack of Tony Pike and Marty Gilyard of the Bearcats should be the talk of the town but its not. Instead of the teams being the major news coming from this bowl game, the media has their attention on something else, the coaching future of UF coach Urban Meyer. On Saturday night, December 26^th, Meyer stated that he was resigning from the coaching job, shocking the sports world. But less than 24 hours after he decided he would take an “indefinite” leave of absence from the Gators, letting Addazio, the offensive coordinator, run the team after the Sugar Bowl. But most writers, reporters and others seem to believe that he will coach the Gators at the beginning of next season. So the question must be asked, why?!! Why did he state this at all? And of course, who cares?

To start off, before we get attacked by all of the Gator “fans” out there, we are concerned for Meyer’s health. He has had chest pains, which means heart issues and has been to the hospital multiple times, including right after the SEC title game. At age 45, his health is a major concern because of the stresses of the job (makes you wonder how Joe Paterno is still alive after the decades of coaching). Also he has a cyst in his brain as well, while it is not life threatening, it can cause severe migraines which can cripple anyone, look at Percy Harvin, the WR in Minnesota and former Gator.

Now look at the situation that Meyer has caused. Meyer has to keep his best interest in mind but to announce a quick decision like that and then change his mind as quickly makes it hard on the program, from the AD not knowing what he is going to do all the way to the recruits not knowing if the coach that promised he will be their coach will be on the sidelines with them. Its like Billy Donovan, Gators basketball coach, after taking the offer for the Orlando Magic, within 48 hours he changed his mind and returned to UF. Changing your mind in sports is never an easy decision because of the contracts, money and all the people that are affected by the move. The sports world is not on your time, making moves as dumb as Donovan’s had major effects in the NBA, forced Orlando to find a coach and put the basketball program in limbo for a short time, not a classy move at all. It shows the indecisive side of people and their lack of commitment, something a child knows is wrong.

Now reports are that Meyer might coach the beginning of 2010 if his health is better by then. So why would he go through all of this and leave the door open. He should have kept it in house, waited till the Sugar Bowl was over then address his health issue, not days before and take away the media attention that should be given to the players for all of their success and hard work. Meyer also put recruits in a tough spot. Most will stay but some recruits might see the wavering of Meyer and how uncertain he is and the may leave the program and look for a coaching situation that is more stable.

So let’s get it straight and to the point. We hope Meyer is healthy and if so, he can return. But he must realize that he took the worst approach to the situation and because he was simply changing his mind he affected so many others and many adversely. Meyer, next time, just wait. Sit down and talk it over with everyone, don’t say it at midnight, go to a practice then decide “my bad.”