SEC To Urban Meyer: YOU'RE FINED

We have our first victim in the SEC's new "tough" policy for criticizing officials. Florida head coach Urban Meyer got docked 30 grand for his public comments on the officiating.

“Coach Meyer has violated the Southeastern Conference Code of Ethics,” SEC Commissioner Mike Slive said in a statement released by the league. “SEC Bylaw 10.5.4 clearly states that the coaches, players and support personnel shall refrain from public criticism of officials. The league’s Athletics Directors and Presidents and Chancellors have made it clear that negative public comments on officiating are not acceptable.”

The fine stems from coach Meyer's comments on Georgia's Nick Williams' hit on his quarterback Tim Tebow saying it “should have been a penalty in my opinion,”

Just cough up the cash Urban.

Photo Courtesy: AJC.com

The fun part of all this comes from Dave Hooker at the Knoxville News-Sentinel. He caught up with Lane Kiffin after the initial criticism...

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin seemed skeptical that Florida coach Urban Meyer would be severely punished for his recent criticism of the SEC's much-maligned football officials.

"Urban Meyer?" Kiffin deadpanned following practice Wednesday when asked of Meyer's comments. "Criticized the officials, wow, that will be interesting. We'll see."

The SEC sent out a memo to member schools and media that threatened coaches with fines and suspensions if they publicly criticized officials.

Asked if Kiffin was under the impression that the public criticism was supposed to stop, he said, "You guys got the same memo that I got."