Urban Meyer Ohio State: Why Coveted Coach Owes Florida an Apology

It didn't take long for Ohio State to shake the ugly scandal that cost them a head coach, star quarterback and basically a season.

Now, less than a year later, they have a better coach, a quarterback that should be able to handle the new coach's system and a brighter future.

Meyer, who left the University of Florida after six seasons to focus on his health and family, is returning to the sideline according to ESPN.

He spent the last year doing analysis work for ESPN and was never far from the game. To be honest, it really is no surprise that Meyer is coming back at all.

He started his collegiate coaching career as a grad assistant at Ohio State and received his masters at the same time. He's only 47 years old and has only coached 10 years of Division I or FBS college football.

Needless to say, Meyer still has a number of years in front of him on the sideline if he really wants them.

Meyer's decision to return to the field only one year after leaving Florida will put a bitter taste in Gators fans' mouths.

The coach received two contract extensions beyond the initial deal he signed with the Gators during his stay there, and many believed he would be in for the long haul. In 2009, he was made the third-highest paid coach behind Pete Carroll of USC and Charlie Weis of Notre Dame.

There are no definitive terms of the deal, but Meyer's deal is likely a six or seven year, $35-40 million range contract.

Meyer's 104-23 career record and two national championships have earned him that type of respect.

He, however, is showing no respect to Florida. The Gators thought they had their coach of the future in Meyer before he stepped down. They routinely offered him extensions and routinely gave him more money.

They've since moved on nicely with the hiring of Will Muschamp as head coach and the addition of Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator, but that is not the same as Urban Meyer.

They can't do anything about it now, but Meyer can at least acknowledge it.

The university did everything they could for him when he was in Gainesville; Meyer could at least offer an apology.