...for whiplash. Don't be too surprised if you see me wearing one of those soft, cervical collars. What's with this guy? Is he having a nervous breakdown or something? So he lost the SEC championship--big deal! It's not like his dog died or anything.
After shocking the sports world by announcing Saturday that he would be stepping down as Florida’s football coach because of his health, Urban Meyer reversed field Sunday afternoon.
At a Sugar Bowl news conference here, Meyer announced that he would be taking an “indefinite leave of absence” instead of quitting. Meyer made clear that he planned to return to the sideline, saying he believed “in my gut” that will happen this fall.
Meyer will coach in the Sugar Bowl and said the Florida program was rolling “full steam ahead.”
See what I mean?
It sounds like Meyer is a workaholic:
The decision to return leaves Meyer at a critical crossroads in his career and his life. Meyer said in an interview Saturday night that the basis of his problems was “self-destructive” work habits. He said he crammed a 30-year coaching career into nine years, doing everything from e-mailing recruits in church to neglecting his family. Now he will try to compete at the highest level, but also find the balance that has eluded him.
Balance. It's something I've always tried for. There's even a clinical term for people like me: unambitious. But seriously, it doesn't take a Zen master to know that when you're in church, be in church. And even though I've had my share of sleepless nights, I've never woke up with chest pains.
Meyer did not set a timetable for his return. But the tenor of the news conference was that it would be surprising if he did not return by spring and stunning if he was not back by summer camp.
Spring? Summer camp? He already said he'd coach next week in the Sugar Bowl. Doesn't sound like he's taking one day off.
Contrast Meyer with Steve Spurrier, who coached the Gators from 1990-2001. Not exactly known for his work ethic--he was an avid golfer--Spurrier was nonetheless successful as a coach, compiling a record of 122-27-1 (.817) and winning the national championship in 1996. At age 64, Spurrier stays healthy with a daily workout regimen. He also seemed to enjoy the job; his offense was called the "Fun 'n' Gun." (What does Meyer call his, the "You-Play-Even-If-You-Have-a-Concussion" offense?)
Something tells me we haven't heard the end of this story.
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