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• Florida Gators No. 1 in AP preseason poll

Meyer to return for spring practice

Urban Meyer announced Saturday that he plans to be coaching the Gators for the first day of spring practice on March 17.

Speaking with several media outlets during halftime of Florida's basketball game against South Carolina, Meyer said he was going to undergo a series of tests in February and that he has cut back on his travel during recruiting.

Nearly a month ago, Meyer announced he was going to take a leave of absence due to medical issues. He hadn't spoken about his so-called leave since the Gators beat Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl, but did so Saturday. That leave is expected to begin after national signing day on February 3.

Quick Change: Meyer to take leave of absence

One day after a stunning decision to resign as Florida's football coach amid health concerns, Urban Meyer has instead decided to take only an indefinite leave of absence.

Meyer addressed the media Sunday afternoon less than 24 hours after announcing that the Gators' Sugar Bowl showdown with Cincinnati on New Year's Day would be his last game as coach.

The 45-year-old Meyer did not lay out a definitive timetable for his time away from the team, but said "I believe in my gut I'll be back coaching next Fall."

Miami Dolphins inside linebackers coach to join Florida Gators

The Miami Dolphins' loss is the Florida Gators' gain.

Dolphins inside linebackers coach George Edwards decided to leave his post to join the Gators as the school's defensive coordinator, filling the void left by Charlie Strong when he headed to Louisville for a head coaching gig, sources said Thursday. Edwards is the second assistant to leave the Dolphins since the end of the season. Outside linebackers coach Jim Reid also left for the college ranks, taking a similar job at the University of Virginia.

During his tenure with the Dolphins, Edwards held the rare distinction of surviving two coaching changes. He joined Miami under former coach Nick Saban, and he was the only assistant held over from former coach Cam Cameron's staff when Cameron was fired. Though not a coordinator, the loss of Edwards is a blow to the Dolphins coaching staff. The move is surely bittersweet for inside linebacker Channing Crowder, a former UF standout who has been groomed under Edwards during his entire NFL career.

Florida Gators' Steve Addazio steps out of relative obscurity

A week ago, Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio was the fall guy, the man many Gator fans blamed for UF's perceived offensive woes this season.

Now he's the team's interim head coach.

Addazio will take over the team's day-to-day operations after its New Year's Day Sugar Bowl, when head coach Urban Meyer begins his indefinite medical leave of absence due to chest pains, weight loss and declining health.

Florida Gators' freshmen on the rise

GAINESVILLE -- Consider linebacker Jon Bostic (Wellington) and offensive lineman Xavier Nixon (Fayetteville, N.C.) to be the early candidates to lose their freshmen helmet stripes.

One of preseason camp's many rituals at UF is the ``de-striping'' of incoming freshmen. In 2007, safety Major Wright was the first player to lose his stripe. Running back Jeff Demps had the honor in 2008.

Coach Urban Meyer said Bostic (6-1, 235 pounds) stood out in practice Monday and that he is ``really advanced for a freshman.''