Urban Meyer Steps Down From Gator Helm: Who Will Replace Him?

Urban Meyer will step down as head coach of the Florida Gators.

Meyer and Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley will hold a press conference later this evening. Meyer will coach the team for the Outback Bowl on January 1st in Tampa versus Penn State.

The 46-year-old Meyer has been a Division I coach for over 24 years, he briefly stepped down after last season after a health scare only to return a day later. He returned to coach the Gators to a 51-24 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl.

Meyer is 103-23 (.817) as a head coach with a 6-1 (.857) bowl record.

Meyer's statement earlier today made it sound like a final decision, wanting to spend more time with his family.

Who are some of the top choices to fill Meyers shoes?

Two names that quickly come to mind are Dave Wannstedt, who left the Pittsburgh Panthers on December 7th, and Tampa resident Jon Gruden.

It's no secret that Gruden is comfortable in Florida and might be a good fit. Wannstedt, who has a 42-31 record in college, signed on with the Panthers in December, 2004 and promised to make recruiting a top priority.

That promise never came true, as he was criticized for his lack of recruiting.

Gruden has been under consideration for the recently vacated University of Miami job and has met with Miami athletic director Kirby Hocutt, although he said that he remained committed to ESPN. 

At first glance, either one would be a good fit, but Gruden and his offensive knowledge and working with quarterbacks would be ideal.