Urban Meyer Leaves Florida: 7 Teams That Benefit from the Decision
Urban Meyer will step down as the Gatos head coach effective after the Outback Bowl on December 1st, confirmed by Florida Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley.
Meyer said in his statement, "I have been a Division I football coach for the last 25 years and, during that time, my primary focus has been making a difference in the lives of the young men I have been so fortunate to have coached and building championship programs. At this time in my life, however, I fully grasp the sacrifices my 24/7 profession has demanded of me, and I know it is time to put my focus on my family and life away from the field."
Health concerns also may have been a major factor, as he was admitted to a hospital because of chest pains following the Southeastern Conference championship game in 2009.
There is a press conference scheduled for 6pm ET. More details will be revealed at that time.
Here are seven teams that will benefit from Urban Meyer's announcement.
7) South Florida Bulls
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Like Florida State later in this slideshow, USF has a huge opportunity to pick up a lot of undecided recruits.
USF usually is fourth on the ladder of schools recruits from Florida generally look to, but it can move up and look to pick off recruits from Miami and Florida.
This could also be huge for their chances to improve their stature in the Big East. No team has a stronghold in the Big East, and a strong recruiting class can improve the chances of USF being a major power in the Big East soon.
6) Georgia Bulldogs
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As a neighbor of the state of Florida, Georgia has a big opportunity to pick off recruits from Florida that previously were considering Miami and Florida.
Georgia always is in the mix with Florida for top recruits from Georgia and Northern Florida and will have an advantage in picking up a few late commits this recruiting season.
As a SEC East member, Georgia is also happy to see a major contender take a hit. Their chances of getting to the SEC Championship Game increase with this game change.
As long as a head coaching change doesn't occur at Georgia, the Bulldogs should be one of the teams that benefit from the announcement.
5) Tennessee Volunteers
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Tennessee Volunteers first-year head coach Derek Dooley knows how big of an opportunity he has.
With Urban Meyer stepping down, there is a great chance to pick up some recruits and keep the momentum the team had during the second half of the season.
Tennessee has a very young team, and with addition of more talent, Tennessee has the chance to capitalize on the unrest at Florida and be a player in the SEC East.
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4) Alabama Crimson Tide
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Alabama coach Nick Saban has to be relieved that a major coaching and recruiting rival is no longer there.
Alabama would be much higher on this list if it was in the SEC East and already didn't do such a good job recruiting in Florida.
They have the chance to pick up some high-level commits in the next few months. The longer the head coaching search goes on, the better it is for Alabama going forward.
3) South Carolina Gamecocks
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Current SEC East champions South Carolina will see a big benefit in recruiting from the departure of Urban Meyer.
As long as former Gator head coach Steve Spurrier doesn't decide to return to the Gators, the current Gamecock coach will have the benefit of having their major SEC East competition lose their coach.
South Carolina has the chance to go after a few Florida commits and could even sway a few before the Gators decide who the next head coach will be.
2) Auburn Tigers
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Gene Chizik has to be feeling the sky is the limit for his team. With a possible national championship coming up, recruits will be very interested in hearing from Auburn.
Auburn has a great chance to sell current Florida commits on making the switch. They now have stability, a winning program and a similar offense in selling potential recruits from Florida.
They also have the benefit of having one less big name head coach to recruit and play against.
1) Florida State Seminoles
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With the news earlier this month of Miami Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon being fired and now the news of Urban Meyer stepping down, Florida State is the only major program in Florida still with its head coach.
The place where Florida State can benefit most is on the recruiting trail. With the only major stable program in the state of Florida, they will have a major advantage with any remaining uncommitted recruits from the state of Florida.
As with any coaching change, players previously verbally committed to Miami and Florida prospects will look elsewhere.
Florida State has a huge opportunity to add to its already impressive recruiting class.
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