In the immediacy of Urban Meyer‘s stunning decision to step down this past December and then an even more stunning and almost immediate about-face, there were concerns as to whether or not Meyer had stalked the Florida sidelines for the final time.
Of course, after a couple of seemingly much-needed “sabbaticals”, Meyer returned and talks as if his coaching life hasn’t been better, delegating some authority to his assistants in an effort to prolong both his life and his coaching career.
Just how much the latter will be prolonged remains to be seen. As far as the Gators are concerned, that will be as long as his health -- and desire -- will allow.
Speaking to Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post ahead of a game that could make Meyer the fastest coach to 100 wins in modern college football history, athletic director Jeremy Foley would not give any predictions as to how long his current coach would remain in the position. He did, though, share his hopes on a minimum timeline that will likely be shared by the whole of Gator Nation.
“I know he’s going to go as hard as he can for as long as he can,” Foley said of a coach who’s currently signed through the 2015 season. “Hopefully that’s five years plus five years. That’s the best thing for the University of Florida. The longer he’s on our sidelines, that’s what’s good for this program. ...
“But what he’s done for this institution and what he continues to do for this institution, like I said, I hope we get five plus five because that will be good for the Gators.”
Referring to the health scare which was initially thought to involve his heart but ultimately found to be related esophageal issues, Foley seemed to hint that what Meyer went through late last year may have been the best thing that could happen to Meyer. And could prove to be a precursor to a longer coaching shelf life.
“His work ethic and his intensity -- I saw it every day,” Foley said of the pre-health scare Meyer. “I never worried about him. I knew it had a shelf life. I didn’t know what that would be. I certainly didn’t think that shelf life would manifest the way it did last December, but I also see a silver lining in that because it manifested itself last December and necessitated some changes that I think will allow him now to coach even longer.”