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UF's Urban Meyer's resignation a shock

NEW ORLEANS -- The rise to power of University of Florida football coach Urban Meyer appears to be over.

The university announced Saturday that Meyer, who has won two national championships in five seasons with the Gators, will coach his final game for UF on New Year's Day in the Sugar Bowl. In nine seasons as a head coach, Meyer has amassed a record of 95-18. On Saturday, Meyer's decision to resign shocked everyone from well-connected UF officials to Gators fans and their rivals.

According to UF, Meyer will be available at a Sugar Bowl news conference at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, shortly after the Gators arrive in New Orleans. Meyer said in a prepared statement released Saturday evening that concerns for his health and family are the reasons for the abrupt resignation. He has lived with an arachnoid cyst on his brain for more than a decade.

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.

Urban Meyer has announced resignation as coach of the Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE -- The University of Florida announced on Saturday afternoon that Gators head football coach Urban Meyer is resigning.

Through a statement released by the University of Florida, Meyer indicated that his health is the reason for the decision. Meyer is expected to coach the Gators in the Sugar Bowl on Jan.1. According to UF, Meyer will be available at a Sugar Bowl press conference at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday when the Gators arrive in New Orleans.

"I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program," Meyer said. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family."

Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer has a roster that's all his, for once

There was a time when Urban Meyer might have second-guessed his decision to be the football coach at the University of Florida. There was a time when Meyer didn't love his job. There was a time when he didn't quite fit in. Those days seem to be gone.

Meyer addressed reporters Tuesday during UF's annual preseason media day with a relaxed sense of confidence. It's a new look for Meyer -- that frozen exterior he showed up with nearly five years ago is slowly melting away. The Southern sun has thawed him. He smiles more these days. Even now, during the intensity of two-a-days, he finds time to laugh.

Florida Gators give Brandon Spikes a full suspension

Another week of the college football season is here, and so, too, is another media circus involving the University of Florida.

The apparent attempt by UF middle linebacker Brandon Spikes to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey last Saturday received national headlines Monday and Tuesday.

The story found new life Wednesday when Florida coach Urban Meyer announced that Spikes would be suspended when the top-ranked Gators' (8-0, 6-0 Southeastern Conference) face Vanderbilt (2-7, 0-5) on Saturday.