So, Now It's A Leave Of Absence...

((HT: ActionNewsJax/ESPN))

After attending his Sunday practice, Florida Head football coach Urban Meyer has decided that an "indefinite leave of absence" will fit better than an outright resignation...

At the first Sugar Bowl press conference preparing the Gators for their game against Cincinnati, an unusually candid Meyer expressed his desire to return at the beginning of the 2010 season...

His gut, Meyer admitted, tells him it will happen.

In the interim, OC Steve Addazio will run the show after the Sugar Bowl.

"It's something that started about four years ago," Meyer said. "It was chest pains that became rather significant two years ago. Whether it's stress related ... I started to become very alarmed with that. And then I'm a person of faith, and I just wanted to make sure I had my priorities straight. A lot of times coaches do not have their priorities straight. You put business before God and family, you have a problem."

"It's full speed ahead. We're going to do everything possible to win this game," Meyer said in New Orleans.

Here's Chris Mortensen's view on events and the 24-hopur turnaround therein...


Those of us at OSG HQ admit the whole timing of this is, to put it bluntly, odd... We think that there's more to this. We don't know specifically "what," but we're fairly confident it's pretty damn serious. Otherwise, we would not have ever come to this point.

Is it really any of our damn business what's wrong...??? Nope... unless Meyer or a designated agent tells us what's really up. We've noticed the weight loss- reported to be 20 pounds in recent months.

But given the choice of taking a few steps back to see if you can reorient your coaching philosophy and return to the sidelines or dying if you don't... the HQ thinks this is an easy one that even we can't mess up...

Yes, it's a helluva wake-up call for a helluva coach...

FOSG Steve Wrigley continues local angles from our friends at ActionNewsJax- otherwise known as CBS47/Fox30...

Saturday Night Carousel- Late Updates

Two quickies...

The University of Florida has promoted offensive line coach Steve Addazio for the role of Offensive Coordinator. Addazio ((pictured, thanks gatorzone.com)) will take over the role being vacated by Dan Mullen when he leaves to take over at Mississippi State.

Mullen will still call the plays for the Gators in the BCS title game.

The official stereotypical coach quotes come from Gatorzone.com

"I'm excited to keep the continuity of our play calling within our current staff," said Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer. “Steve has played a key role in our offense in his time at Florida. Our entire offensive staff is involved in game planning and scripting plays. As always, I will remain very involved in the offensive game plan.

“We will still run the same type of offense. We will continue to put the ball in the hands of our best players, spread the field and try to take advantage of the best matchups. Billy Gonzales, Kenny Carter and John Hevesy will continue to be involved in the offensive game planning and play calling as they have all year.”

Cue Addazio...

“I’m extremely humbled because I know it is a group effort of our offensive staff and players that have made us successful and will continue to make us successful. Coach Meyer’s track record obviously speaks for itself with his previous coordinators.”

Addazio is a 23-year coach and has spent the last four with the UF staff.
We anticipate no changes in much of anything with the Gators.

Issue Two: Stacy Stays

Much to the delight of University of Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt, his line coach Stacy Searles ((pictured, thanks georgiadogs.com)) has decided to spurn an offer from The Chizik and will stay between the hedges. He'll have a nice, new raise to prove it.

Don't get excited... all of Richt's assistants are getting raises.

“You always want to let people know how you feel about them,” Richt told Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We let him know.”

Searels’ current salary is $235,400 annually, fourth highest among Richt’s assistants.

“Everybody is going to get a boost,” Richt said.

How does Searles feel about it...? Dunno...
He doesn't do media interviews...