Urban Meyer Stepping Down: Winners and Losers

Urban Meyer surprisingly – or maybe not so surprisingly – decided to resign for a second time as head football coach from the University of Florida.

Although he apparently had approached athletic director Jeremy Foley days ago to discuss his departure, which will officially happen at a 6 p.m. (EST), it still creates a plethora of issues surrounding his resignation.

Here’s a quick look at the winners and losers of Meyer’s announcement.

WINNER: Urban Meyer

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide shakes hands with head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators after the Crimson Tide's 31-6 win at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by

This isn’t his first time stepping down. Meyer had health issues last year when he briefly stepped down as Florida’s coach, and there are rumors floating that he was experiencing similar health problems prior to the Georgia game.

If true, Meyer is a winner for recognizing that his health and his value to his family is far bigger than the game of football.

LOSER: Florida Recruits

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators walks off the field after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. Florida defeated Kentucky 48-14 for Meyer's

The program will be in a flux for a little bit, unless AD Jeremy Foley has a surprise up his sleeve.

Meyer did say he would coach in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 against Penn State, but that leaves three weeks between now and then, and then the key five-week period prior to the February National Signing Date.

This announcement is going to leave recruits in flux for a bit.

To that end ….

WINNER: Florida State

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Head coach Jimbo Fisher of the Florida State Seminoles looks at the scoreboard against the Virginia Tech Hokies during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streete

Have to believe that the Seminoles are in prime position to take advantage of this, especially with in-state recruits.

What an easy sell it’s going to be for Jimbo Fisher to head out and tell recruits how his two biggest rivals are in a state of disarray and, in fact, one school has already been turned down by a big name when Jon Gruden said no to Miami.