Urban Meyer Leaving Florida Gators

Urban Meyer has decided to step down as the Florida Gators' head coach following their upcoming Sugar Bowl appearance. Meyer's last game at the helm will be on January 1st against Cinncinnati, after which he will leave coaching to focus on his "Health and family."

Florida Athletic director, Jeremy Foley, announced the news in a press release on Saturday afternoon. "Coach Meyer and I have talked this through and I realize how hard this was for him to reach this decision," Foley said. "But, the bottom line is that Coach Meyer needed to make a choice that is in the best interest of his well being and his family. I certainly appreciate what he has meant to the University of Florida, our football program and the Gator Nation. I have never seen anyone more committed to his players, his family and his program. Above all, I appreciate our friendship."

Urban Meyer released his own statement regarding his retirement saying that he had spent his coaching years focused on being the best coach he could be. In that time, he said, he had ignored his health and to some extent, his family. "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 reevaluate my priorities of faith and family.

Urban will leave Florida after winning two national championships and coaching up Heisman Trophy-winning QB, Tim Tebow for four years. He went 56-10 at Florida in five seasons and was 32-8 in the SEC.