The former Gators head coach recently emphasized that the “ship has sailed” on any prospects of returning to The Swamp during an appearance on The Triple Option podcast. While engaging in conversation with co-hosts Mark Ingram and Bob Stone, Meyer dismissed rumors of a comeback but shared his ongoing support for the team’s achievements.
“I want that program to do well so much,” he stated. “I know a lot of people there, and we dedicated a significant portion of our lives to that program. But that ship has sailed.”
In light of Florida’s rocky start with a 1-2 record in the 2024 season, speculation about Meyer’s potential return to Gainesville has arisen, particularly amid concerns regarding the job security of current head coach, Billy Napier. Recently, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum hinted at the possibility of Meyer stepping back into the role of Gators’ head coach during an episode of The Matt Barrie Show.
“Well, I mean, we know there were a lot of bad feelings,” Finebaum noted. “I don’t believe those feelings remain. It’s been a long time. And one thing that is undeniable about Urban Meyer is that he came within a hair’s breadth of winning three national championships in four years there, and that’s what truly matters.”
Meyer’s Accomplishments Speak for Themselves
Meyer coached the Gators from 2005 until 2010, securing national championships in 2006 and 2008. After his tenure at Florida, he led the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2012 to 2018, achieving another national title in 2014. However, he has not returned to coaching since his brief and unsuccessful NFL tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, which ended with his dismissal before the season’s conclusion and a mere 2-11 record.
Image Source: Urban Meyer @ Instagram
