One of college football’s most controversial figures may be returning to the gridiron.
Former Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes legend Urban Meyer is a name making the rounds with regards to a potential vacancy. Florida fell to 1-2 on Saturday after a loss to Texas A&M and its current head coach Billy Nappier appears to be firmly in the hot seat.
It seems unbelievable, but there’s a chance Meyer will return to Florida, where he won a national championship with Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow. AT least that what legendary sports media figure Paul Finebaum believes.
Finebaum made an appearance on the Matt Barrie show and spoke about the situation.
“Well, I mean, we know there were a lot of bad feelings,” Finebaum said. “I don’t think those feelings are still there. It’s been a long time. And one thing you can’t deny about Urban Meyer is he came within a paper clip of winning three national championships in four years there, and that’s all that matters. I was with Steve Spurrier on Friday afternoon, and he was trying to defend Napier, although even Spurrier was running out of gas, and he said, ‘Well, you know, if we can just have a winning record.’
“And I said, coach, you just got through saying that. I remember, in 2001, you were undefeated. You lost to Tennessee at home. It was the 9/11 year and the game was in the normal SEC championship game weekend, you lost by three points. You won the Orange Bowl, and finished number three in the country, and you quit because fans were unhappy about the season, and you went to the NFL. I mean, that’s how things used to be.”
Florida is itching to get back on the winning side of things after what’s been a largely disappointing time under Napier. Meyer is currently working in the sports mediascape for Fox, but he wouldn’t be the first coach to return to the sidelines after spending time in a studio.
The idea of Meyer returning the university to prominence is certainly something worth considering.