All this is about is
1. Trying to make $$$ off of the Gators - the #1 team - the "dynasty"
2. Trying to make mountains out of mole hills. They figure that if they keep throwing things against the wall that sooner or later something wll blow up.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [gatornews] [SF Sun-Sentinel.com] Florida coach Urban Meyer
can't rein in his controversial comments
From: RUSSELL BEYER <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, August 27, 2009 1:30 pm
To: Gatornews <[email protected]>
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Florida coach Urban Meyer can't rein in his controversial comments
Gators coach can't rein in his controversial comments
By Jeremy FowlerSENTINEL STAFF WRITERAugust 27, 2009GAINESVILLE —
Sometimes Urban Meyer just can't help himself.
The Florida coach said Tuesday he was "not going to say much ever again," and two minutes later he was asked about locker-room culture — the same topic that created national headlines last week and prompted former Gators coach Ron Zook to release a scathing public statement.
Meyer's opinion slowly crept out again.
"I know that was beat to death in the media, but that has really helped to have a freshman sitting next to a [Brandon] Spikes or right there as opposed to 'Go back in the other room,' " Meyer said.
He quickly added before walking away, "It's no one's fault, but that's the way it was."
Meyer's emphatic opinions on various topics have stirred the public pot more than ever in recent months.
Attribute part of the attention to the microscope positioned squarely on Meyer's every move after winning that second national title in January.
Or maybe he simply rubs some people the wrong way.
Meyer doesn't respond to opposing coaches who berate him.
He never name-drops.
But certain topics rile him up, usually those involving running a program or the behavior of his players. Meyer has made headlines for talking about disloyal former players, treating women with respect, Notre Dame rumors and stopping Florida's freshmen hazing from the Zook era.
"The perception outside of the Florida program is people think he's a control freak," said Brady Ackerman, a Gators player from 1990-91 who hosts an ESPN Radio show in Ocala/Gainesville. "I don't think that. I just think he's emotional about his players and recruits and talks openly about it. But if Gator Nation has to take a side, they are taking his every time. He can do no wrong."
A quick recap of Meyer's quotables:
•In March, Meyer used profanity when addressing a group of high school coaches at a Nike event in Allentown, Pa.
The context of the comment — treating women right — is pretty innocuous, but the cursing got attention: "I'll jump on a kid's [expletive]. That's the way I was raised," Meyer said.
•In April, when addressing a Central Florida booster club, Meyer's comments about loyalty were directed — at least many believe — at former Gators quarterback Shane Matthews, who was critical of Florida's offense after the Ole Miss game.
"If you want to be critical of a player on our team or a coach on our team, you can buy a ticket for Seat 37F," Meyer said. "You're not welcome back in the football office. You're either a Gator or you're not a Gator."
•Meyer has shot down the Notre Dame job numerous times in recent months, even saying he would "never ... ever" take the position.
•Last week, Meyer said Florida freshmen were treated like "non-people" upon his arrival in 2004.
He said sarcastically: "Let's get our brains kicked in against our rival, but let's go beat up a freshman."
Zook's reply expressed distaste in his role as Florida's scapegoat five years later.
Meyer said Tuesday he plans to cool his public opinions.
"That's my fault," Meyer said. "I've just got to learn to give you what I give you and move on. You guys have jobs to do, too."
When asked whether he's simply expressing how he feels, he said, "That's why I'm not going to say it anymore."
Numerous coaches have publicly attacked Meyer, including Tennessee's Lane Kiffin for his false cheating allegations and Miami's Randy Shannon for accusing the Gators of running up the score in last year's 26-3 win.
Meyer never had a rebuttal.
Often Meyer's stirring comments in the media aren't original to former or current players. Center Maurkice Pouncey said Meyer told the Gators about the locker-room issues awhile back.
Ackerman said he heard a similar statement from Meyer about disloyal former players at a letter-winner's barbecue a few years ago.
"I don't think he's thinking about [offending people] when he says it," Ackerman said. "He's thinking about his master plan and how it's supposed to be."
If Meyer stirs the media again, his Heisman-winning quarterback will probably have his back.
"[Meyer] has tried to work guys into being better people on the field, off the field, never says anything bad about anybody, always tries to do the right thing," said Tim Tebow last year in response to Shannon.
Read Jeremy Fowler's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/swampthings and e-mail him at [email protected]
COLLEGE GRIDIRON 365: MIAMI'S IMPACT NEWCOMERS, C4•WHY FSU-UM ISN'T A SELLOUT, C5
"Let's get our brains kicked in against our rival, but let's go beat up a freshman."
— Last week to media, about inheriting a violent locker-room culture in 2004 as Ron Zook's successor
"I'll jump on a kid's [expletive]. That's the way I was raised."
— March 2009, addressing high school coaches about players not treating women right
"You're not welcome back in the football office. You're either a Gator or you're not a Gator."
— April 2009, addressing a Central Florida booster club, referring to disloyal former players
"If you want to be critical of a player on our team or a coach on our team, you can buy a ticket for Seat 37F."
— April 2009, addressing a Central Florida booster club
"I'm not going to Notre Dame. Ever."
— July 2009, at a charity golf eventUF makes minor-league baseball team alter Tebow promotion, C5
Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel
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