Thanks Don. It just proves that "Once a Gator...always a Gator" is a true axiom.....even when a person moves on to other endeavors. I wish Meyer and Ohio State the best. Good take on the new coach: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/stewart_mandel/11/28/urban-meyer-ohio-state/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a3 Here are the most critical parts of the story: " He returned only to find he couldn't do it any other way. Those close to the program say Meyer "checked out" during that final uncharacteristic 8-5 season, and the players he left behind have only struggled further under successor Will Muschamp. But a head coach is only as good as his staff, and during his final two seasons Meyer lost trusted offensive coordinator Dan Mullen and renowned co-defensive coordinators Charlie Strong and Greg Mattison, all of whom have gone on to success elsewhere. Meyer was left trying to delegate more responsibility to assistants he barely knew." UF fans knew last year that Meyer's heart wasn't in it. How long will he ramp up for the Buckeyes and how much will he ramp up is the question. Getting good assistants is key.......possibly retaining Fickell for the inside knowledge he would bring is a start and hey....I hear a good defensive coach/top recruiter is available over in Champaign...... :wink:
Thanks Bill.....obviously my greatest concern regarding his hire. The expectations are already over the top and completely unrealistic for any human.......but he's not a stranger here either and knows exactly what he signed up for..... He has massive shoes to fill and I'm not sure people appreciate how difficult a job it will be to just match the accomplishments of his predecessor much less exceed them....if he only beats M 80% of the time will he be considered a disappointment? If he only wins 5 consecutive conference championships will that be considered a down era? Like it or not, that is what he's up against..... Welcome home Coach....I will pray for his continued good health. btw, we may be neighbors soon......
Neighbors, where might you be moving to? Will Meyer get the media scrutiny he got in Gainesville? Greg Doyel wrote an article that said the media attention would be less. I would think that at least the first few years Meyer will get a ton of media attention because of the way he traveled there. Regardless I wish him continued good health and success at Ohio State. Except when we might play of course.
I saw the article as well...I find Doyel's comment very curious. It's unlikely that any Ohio State football coach has enjoyed any benefit from the lack of media attention....in Ohio he's pretty much it. He doesn't have the benefit of 3-4 other huge programs with which to share their affections....but I'm often curious about much of Doyel's writing, so who knows what he's thinking about. Re: neighbors....Blowing Rock.
It's a great area.....we've always enjoyed out visits. It's a great year round destination. Plenty of fun stuff for all....and good neighbors nearby like Bill!
BT, going there on vacation or moving there? When either way. Stu, being in Cashiers and Highlands and going to the Dragon Tail you had to drive near us in Franklin. We were in Florida for Thanksgiving, but if you or anyone else here are ever this way let us know. Would love to meet for lunch or something. It's snowing here this morning but we are going to brave the elements and go bowling in about an hour.
Bill, for some reason, I thought you were in Banner Elk in the Boone area. Didn't realize you were much further south in Franklin. We've got our eye on some investment property in Blowing Rock. Heading up there this weekend to have another look. Snow? yikes....
Great hire by the Buckeyes. But, I wonder how long his shelf life will be. People do not change. I have a hard time believing that he will be able to restrain his intensity and delagate more when he becomes a head coach and not go back to the 18-hour workdays that lead to his health problems at Florida. He just seems to be the type of person who, once committed to something, will burn the candle at both ends to try and achieve perfection.
I can think of two people who changed themselves to be less intense and were successful. Dick Vermeil and George Foreman. Both took a lot longer than what Meyer has taken. After quite a number of years as a broadcaster Vermeil went back to the NFL and was highly successful and no where near as intense as his first time around. George Foreman left boxing in his middle 20's after losing the fight to Ali and and one or two others. In all of them once his opponent took him past 3-4 rounds Foreman was worn out and would almost fall down from exhaustion. However when he came back in his 40's and 50's he went 12 rounds on more than one occasion and even won the heavyweight championship with a late knockout. I can't think of much of anyone else who managed to do a complete work over. But I do think people can find balance and I hope Meyer does.