Florida Coach Urban Meyer Will Step Down, Citing Health

Gators leader will stay on through Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl
By Marie Morris,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 26, 2009 6:32 PM CST
Florida Coach Urban Meyer Will Step Down, Citing Health
Florida coach Urban Meyer, right, talks with quarterback Tim Tebow during the first half of the NCAA college football SEC Championship game against Alabama on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, in Atlanta.   (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Urban Meyer, who coached the University of Florida to two national championships in 5 years at the helm, will step down after the Gators take on Cincinnati in the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl. Meyer, 45, cited health concerns in announcing his resignation; he was hospitalized after suffering chest pains following Florida's loss to Alabama in the SEC title game on Dec. 5.

"I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program," the coach, who had a 56-10 record with the Gators, said in a statement. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family."
(More Urban Meyer stories.)

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