TWTW Bowling: Touchy, Feely Urban Beats Penn State

((HT: ESPN/Youtube))

The HQ saw a different version of outgoing Florida head coach Urban Meyer this past month- the touchy, feely one that is trying to integrate with the rest of the non-coaching world.

He did, however, win his last game as Florida head coach beating Penn State in the bowl game at the Pirate Ship in Tampa 37-24.

But the HQ will admit that Nittany Lions QB Matt McGloin's five interceptions had a lot to do with it, too...

We think all five picks were on third down plays...

Not good- and neither was the Florida offense...

Here's your ending...


The HQ is now waiting to see if Charlie Weis is headed to Boomtown...

BREAKING: Urban Meyer to resign at Florida...again...

We aren't sure what to make of this, but there are a ton of reports circulating that Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer will resign from the team at a 5pm presser this afternoon. Meyer will still coach in the team's Outback Bowl appearance.

More from Gatorzone.com RIGHT HERE

And SECSports.com RIGHT HERE

Meyer tried to do this last year, citing his health as a primary reason. This past season is one that he and Florida fans would like to forget as they went 7-5, struggling the whole way. We'll see if any of that had something to do with it.

In a statement released by the university Wednesday, Meyer says "it is time to put my focus on my family and life away from the field."

He says the decision to resign was "a difficult one."

Obviously, there will be more to report as the day goes, stay tuned and we'll keep you updated.

FOSG Dan Hicken of WTLV-Jacksonville with the early breakdown.



Here's the four-letter's coverage of the deal...
((HT: ESPN))

TUESDAY PM UPDATE: More Newton Charges From MSU "Sources"

((HT: ESPN/Schad))

Here's Joe Schad's attempt at a late update on the four-letter's flagship news and information program late Tuesday night...


For those of you that don't want to watch the whole thing, the gist of the back-and-forth with SVP is: Two sources who recruit for Mississippi State said that both Cecil and Cam Newton, admitted in separate phone conversations that they would play wherever they could get paid the most for their services.

Mississippi State compliance officials relayed the alleged conversations to the SEC in January, according to two other Schad sources.

From Schad:

After Newton committed to Auburn, another source said an emotional Cam Newton phoned another recruiter to express regret that he wouldn't be going to Mississippi State, stating that his father Cecil had chosen Auburn for him because "the money was too much."

In other posts here at OSG, we have relayed the notion that Florida head coach Urban Meyer has denied being the leak of anything resembling an academic record from Newton's time at the University of Florida.

Sources close to OSG have conveyed that it is a violation of federal law to have those kinds of academic records and/or questions about same exposed to the public. Newton, it is said by some, was up on some sort of academic cheating charges at UF and was set to appear in front of a student-faculty review. He then withdrew from school and transferred to Blinn ((TX)) Junior College.

You know the rest...

Since Newton never did appear, the topic should be irrelevant and/or moot. Meyer may very well deny he was the leak, but it could very well lead to former individuals associated with Meyer who are at other jobs at present- and could still have very close ties to Gainesville.

Make your own conclusion there...

Our same sources relay that since those involved with the academic council on the Florida campus admitted that since the Newton issue never came up and the case never came before them- that can only mean one thing. Someone close to the athletic department, with direct knowledge of the allegation, would have to have been the person who sent material where they deemed fit.

Again, draw your own conclusion as to the "who"... the number of individuals there are very scant in number. And it's a safe bet the same individuals, or associates of those individuals, were the same ones that may have allowed the Newton situation to get out of control at the University of Florida- allowing Newton the opportunity to get in trouble more than once within the same class instead of ceasing the alleged behavior after one report of an academic violation.

TMZ's Sports wing is reporting that the FBI now wants to speak directly with John Bond to determine the answer to the following inquiry:

"We are interested in whether young men are being shopped to colleges."

You'll have to excuse them. The HQ thinks they're just catching up to the realities of college athletics...

Two journalistic issues before we go: Chris Low of the four-letter credits a recent Cecil Newton quote addressing the situation to a visit to the Paul Finebaum Radio Network... problem- it never happened...

It was a two or three-day old sound bite from the beginning of the fray...

Second: The Thayer Evans/Fox Sports piece, highlighted earlier in the day by OSG, has the following quote from a "source" to the cheating gambit being played by sour-grapers...

The committee could have levied sanctions against Newton that included suspension and expulsion from the university.

“He knew that he was facing a bad outcome,” the source said.

But, once again, the HQ re-emphasizes the committee never saw it. So, technically, it never happened. It's an un-story...

As is 130-percent of all of this to date... although we do like the show of
Solidarity by women's hoops coach Nell Fortner ((photo, thanks al.com)) during her media day.

Charles Goldberg and al.com caught up with her...

"I think he has represented this university well,'' Fortner said. "At Auburn, this is our athletic family. It's our family, and it's time to step up and it's time for everybody else to start stepping up and say, 'Hey, man... I think this story, it has no legs, and it's just ridiculous that is has gone on this far. So that's my opinion, and I'm just ready to step up and say enough's enough."

Either this is one of the largest frauds perpetuated in recent memory that EVERYONE in Auburn is in on, or point your collective noses toward Starkville for your answers until further notice...

Oh, and Thayer Evans...???

Two words: Jamarkus McFarland...

Look it up...

Something doesn't smell right with Cam Newton allegations....

Cam Newton/Courtesy: TheBirminghamNews

The more this story plays out, the more it just doesn't sound or feel right. The allegation...that Auburn Quarterback Cam Newton had someone shopping him around to SEC schools; the puzzle pieces don't fit.

We don't discount reports that alleged player recruiter Kenny Rogers (no, not the gambler) made a call to his old friend at Mississippi State, John Bond and that Newton came up. However, Rogers vehemently denies it.

As for Auburn, OSG Sources with knowledge of their internal investigation tell us "Auburn is not involved in any of this". "We have know reason to believe that there is any problem with Cam and his eligibility"

For some background on the the high standing the Newton family is held, read this story from AJC.com RIGHT HERE

The other strange twist here, Urban Meyer's name is being brought up as the "Source" for the original ESPN.com story. Allegedly, it came from a rumored conversation between Bond, Miss. St. Head Coach and Meyer disciple Dan Mullen and Meyer. Supposedly, Bond and Mullen made Meyer aware of the Rogers offer and told him they reported it to the SEC. Meyer...allegedly was furious and supposedly said he'd make sure the illegal recruiting got out in the media.

We don't buy that. We can't however rule it out. Why would Meyer do that? The only reason that makes any sense is if Florida got somehow to the SEC Championship game and faced Auburn that he wouldn't want to face Newton, but that doesn't make sense either...does it?

Here is some more background from AL.com RIGHT HERE

No, here is what we think happened. Rogers...for whatever reason made the call. We have no reason to believe that Bond is making that up. Rogers, we believe is a part of the sorted underbelly of college recruiting that we've discussed so frequently. He'll get his.

We think the victim in all of this is Newton. Could we be wrong? Sure. Would it be possible that he shopped himself to schools? Yeah. Do we think it happened this time? No. In fact. As of right now, no rules, at all...have been broken. There is no indication....anywhere that Mississippi State did anything wrong. There is no indication....anywhere....that Auburn did anything wrong. And there is no indication...anywhere that Cam Newton...or anyone in his family did anything wrong. 

Here is some sound with Newton after Auburn's homecoming game against Chattanooga.....Again...much thanks to Al.com/The Birmingham News:

Cam Newton on fan support, Auburn's win

TWTW: Mississippi St. beats Florida...state of Florida convinced world is ending....

Urban Meyer is mystified/Courtesy: Matt Stamey/Gainesville Sun

We've made no secret that we aren't fans of the University of Florida. For some of us, it goes back to a childhood of growing up in that part of the world.

So, with that being said, there has been a smile on our faces as the once mighty Gators have fallen on hard times. Three straight losses...three different ways, have shown cracks in the once mighty Gator veneer.

The latest loss, a 10-7 defeat at the hands of Mississippi State. The coach at Miss. State, Dan Mullen, formerly Gator offensive coordinator.

Read the newspaper recap from the Gainesville Sun RIGHT HERE

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel is looking for scapegoats RIGHT HERE

We think that Urban Meyer may be understating when he says "We aren't very good right now". They aren't. But the expectation level from the fanbase down there is so crazily obscene that anything less than 11-1 is considered a monumental failure. It shouldn't be.

As much as we weren't "Fans" of the Tebow, it's obvious how much they miss him. It's also obvious how much he carried them the past 4 years. For whatever reason, the Gators have not made the adjustments to the personnel that they have. The team was built without a power runner, that hurts them. Defenses have figured out the "Zone Read" and it is obvious that the offense doesn't fit the Quarterback. But they don't have the offense to fit John Brantley.

They have a week off to stew over what happened and come up with a better plan. The question is....are they capable of pulling it off?

Here is some Urban Meyer post game from Gatorvision.tv:



Here is some Q and A with John Brantley, also from Gatorvision.tv:



We would add some Mississippi State post game here, but nobody in Mississippi State has posted any on the internet...anywhere.

TWTW: Les Miles Has A Deal With The Devil, Wins At The Swamp

((HT: Youtube/ESPN/SEC))

All the HQ can say is track down the message board/chat stuff on EDSBS...
It's priceless...

Les Miles has lost his mind, or if he never had one to begin with, never mind...

The end of this game, that LSU had in complete control until Florida came storming back, was completely ridiculous...

Just watch...


While Right Reverend Rece gave Miles his "Mad Hatter' nickname, it really does apply.
Either that or "Bat *hit Crazy Guy"
Take your pick...

TWTW: Saban Wipes The Floor With Meyer's Gators 31-6

((HT: WVTM-TV/NBC 13 Birmingham))

The HQ thought it would be easy, but this easy...???

Florida, against quality competition not named Ohio University, finally showed the civilized world two things:

1) They're rebuilding and John Brantley is not a quarterback that fits the Meyer system. He may as well just go ahead and put Trey Burton in there right now for the remainder of the season at QB...

2) Polls don't need to be anywhere close to being published until, about, right now... Florida is not the 7th-best team in the country...

Alabama made it look too easy... and it, probably, was...

It's time for another visit with Don Hawes...


Here's Nick Saban trying not to laugh about how easy it was to smack any kind of wry grin off Urban Meyer's face...

So Much For That Whole Stress Thing...

((HT: WCJB-TV Gainesville))

Urban Meyer was supposed to take it easy from now on, right...???

The HQ guesses this is the new Urban Meyer taking it easy...

The Orlando Sentinel's Jeremy Fowler quoted Gator wideout Deonte Thompson as saying it weas nice having a "real quarterback" in John Brantley instead of Tim Tebow.

Here's the quote in full- from Fowler's blog with the Sentinel...

"You never know with Tim,” Thompson said. “You can bolt, you think he’s running but he’ll come up and pass it to you. You just have to be ready at all times. With Brantley, everything’s with rhythm, time. You know what I mean, a real quarterback.”

Meyer took every angle of umbrage you could think of with Fowler at practice...
WCJB-TV caught part of the exchange...


Apparently, Meyer thinks Fowler is a "bad guy..." for all of this and singled him out for his quoting. Fowler is also on Meyer's version of double-secret probation.

If he steps out of line one more time...
Well, you know...

TWTW: Bearcats Season Ends With Resounding Thud In New Orleans

((HT: WCPO-TV Cincinnati))

Brother Phil gets to see things from the Northern Bureau these days, so he gets the perspective on how teams are screwed in the BCS standings and should regularly get the chance to prove their worth against the beeg boys...

The Brian Kelly-less UC Bearcats got their chance in the Sugar Bowl against the University of Florida and Corch Urban Meyers...

Go Gator...

But the HQ hates to break it to the Big East Conference on a few different fronts:

1) The Mountain West should get your slot as an automatic qualifier...
2) Losing Kelly did more for your psyche than you'll ever care to admit...
3) Yes, you have some good players on your roster. That we'll allow... But Florida has more good players on your roster than you have as a roster.

The end result was that the Sugar Bowl was over when Pedro Cerrano flipped the coin at the beginning. We think that the Tebow's quarterback rating was 472.

WCPO-TV's Scott Kyser got to break the news on this one...


The HQ also thinks that incoming recruit RB Mack Brown ((Atlanta-ML King)) is, probably, right in his assessment as to when Corch Meyers is coming back. Meyers told Brown he'd be back in August, so Corch Meyers will be back in August.

The one event that would have made the whole night complete was if Cerrano addressed Tim Tebow like he recognized his presence once before ((at the 59 second mark)).

Because, as we all know, spending 15 minutes with Tim Tebow will make you a better person and make your life a better life...
((HT: Paramount Pictures))

Is This The Change Of Mind Urban Meyer Believes In!

We saw this Monday morning on the Orlando Sentinel website here at the OSG HQ. Funny stuff.

Sorry can't embed so click below to view. It's worth your time.

A Vulcan Mind Meld Changed Urban Meyer’s Mind. (Thanks Orlando Sentinel/GoAnimate.com.

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...

Urban Meyer is stepping away...

***BREAKING NEWS****

University of Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer, a 2-time national champion, released a statement this evening stating that he will be "Stepping down as the Head Coach at the University of Florida after the Sugar Bowl".

According to multiple published reports, Meyer will be stepping down due to some health issues. While he didn't elaborate...yet...on those issues, he was recently in the hospital after the SEC Championship game with what was reported as a "Dehydration" issue.

More from the Panama City News Herald RIGHT HERE
ESPN.Com says that he has a "Heart Valve Muscle Defect"...read more RIGHT HERE

((Urban Meyer//Courtesy: Boston.com))

There will apparently be a press conference from New Orleans where the Gators will be arriving in advance of the Sugar Bowl game on January 1st, a game that now appears as though it will be Meyer's last.

Robbie Andreu's piece in the Gainesville Sun reveals that Meyer will address the media at a Sunday afternoon press conference associated with Florida's Sugar Bowl game.

The short list for Meyer's replacement looks like this:
Houston's Kevin Sumlin, Arkansas' Bobby Petrino, TCU's Gary Patterson, Louisville's Charlie Strong, Miss State's Dan Mullen, and Mike Shanahan...

The HQ likes the Strong and Shanahan ideas. As far as we know, Strong has not signed a contract yet and Shanahan has ties dating back to the Galen Hall administration.

CL Brown at the Louisville Courier-Journal notes that Cards AD Tom Jurich "hopes" to hold on to Strong as his head coach. Jurich is not surprised that Strong is appearing on short lists and would not hold him to his seven-figure buyout clause if were to leave.

“Right now there are a lot of emotions for Charlie and his family,” Jurich said. “They've lived there, and that's their home. He's done four different stints there; that's the thing I'm worried about. I want to keep him, but I understand the pressure he's probably going to be under, too.”

Here's team coverage from our friends at Action News Jacksonville- otherwise known as Fox30 and CBS47. FOSG Steve Wrigley starts us off...


Obviously, keep checking OSG Sports, we'll have more on this story as it progresses

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."

Spikes Spiked for Spikeing Ealey

The University of Florida announced today that they will sit star Linebacker Brandon Spikes for the first half of Saturday's game against Vanderbilt for trying to gouge the eyes of Georgia Running Back Washaun Ealey this past Saturday.

Florida Coach Urban Meyer made the announcement at his Monday morning press conference after he had to be told about the incident by multiple people. Oh, by the way, CBS had video of the incident which they also ran multiple times on Saturday's broadcast.

The Florida version of the story from TampaBay.com RIGHT HERE
The Georgia version courtesy Jeff Schultz and AJC.com RIGHT HERE

((Brandon Spikes and the offending appendage//Courtesy: TheOnlineWire.com))

SEC Commisioner Mike Slive kept his distance from the incident saying that it was up to Florida to decide what they wanted to do, he was staying out of it. On the Florida side, the Tebow said "There was a lot going on out there". Spikes also claimed it was payback for it happening to him earlier in the game. Dude, even if it did, that doesn't make the retribution right (that's for the whinny Florida fans who will say it's ok). I paraphrase...but you can read the stories and decide for yourself. This isn't the first time an "Eye Gouge" has happened on a Football field and won't be the last. It certainly didn't affect the game, one which Florida regained there Florida-ness and Georgia did there best imitation of the Oakland Raiders they could possibly do.

For those who like visuals...here is your video, Courtesy: The You Tube

TWTW: So Much For That Black Helmet Thing

((HT: Youtube/Gator Country))

The Gainesville Sun's Pat Dooley was one of a few people who was at the Georgia-Florida game ((or what there was of a game Saturday)) and got to see the 41-17 blowout.

For the second straight year, Georgia went home with a Gator beatdown on its resume, and for the 17th time in 20 games, the Bulldogs lost to the Gators.

The 41-17 win for Florida allowed the Gators to clinch a tie for the SEC East title. Florida clinched a spot in Atlanta in December when Tennessee beat South Carolina later on Saturday night.

"It was Senior Day and I'm going to make sure every senior gets a game ball," Florida coach Urban Meyer said. "That was one of the best team wins we have had at Florida."

Georgia is now 4-4 for the first time in, like, forever...
Florida gets Vanderbilt next week...

Here's your Urbanator postgame...

Kiffin vs. Meyer...the battle continues!

Apparently Urban Meyer and Lane Kiffin love each other so much one can't stop talking about the other.

After Florida beat Tennessee 23-13 on Saturday, Meyer was quoted the next day saying that his biggest concern was the flu bug that his team was battling.

Also, he added that "The Vols weren't trying to win the game".

Despite being told this summer by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive not to call each other out publicly, Kiffin couldn't resist.

The story from WVLT-TV here .

((Urban Meyer thinks about Lane Kiffin//Courtesy: Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel))

OK, we also are getting a bit tired of these two snipping at each other. We get Kiffin's off-season tactics, he was trying to get the focus off of his players. All good. We don't know if Meyer was whining or voicing a legitimate worry with the flu. We do know that he just needed to let the other stuff go...he should be better than that. Maybe Tennessee played not to lose, what is wrong with that? The good thing I suppose, these two should keep us filled with stuff to write about for the next few years.

Since the video won't embed, follow the link HERE, to check out what Kiffin had to say today.

UPDATE: It's here, thanks to our friends at WVLT-TV

Urban Meyer Receives A Nice Raise

SEC football fans if you are keeping score at home, Urban Meyer is now the highest paid coach in the SEC.

Meyer agreed to a 6 year contract extension that pays him $24 million. He will make $4 million per year.

"Coach Meyer has certainly proven to be one of the top college football coaches in the country and should be compensated as such," UF athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement released by UF on Monday. "We are proud he is our coach and we appreciate all that he has done for the Gators."

The money that will fund coach Meyer's salary will come from the University Athletic Association which is a private foundation, no state funds are used. This is big because the University of Florida recently announced $42 million in budget cuts, layoffs of nine faculty members and 49 staff employees, and an expected 15 percent tuition increase.

Coach Meyer is living large. 2 national championships in 3 years will do that.

Meyer's new deal makes him the 3rd highest paid coach in college football behind USC's Pete Carroll ($4.4 million) and Notre Dame's Charlie Weis ($4.2 million).

This move also escalates the financial arms race in the SEC between Meyer and Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who is negotiating a contract extension too. How long will Meyer keep the highest paid title?

Give Meyer props for giving back. $1 million over the duration of his contract is committed to the Florida Opportunity Scholars Program. This program was created by University of Florida President Bernie Machen to provide financial help to first-generation, financially disadvantaged students.

Photo Courtesy: Gator Sports.com

Urban Legend: Now The Highest Paid Coach In SEC

((HT: Gainesville Sun/Andreu))

Florida football coach Urban Meyer's ((pictured, thanks Gainesville Sun file)) reward for winning a second national championship in three years is a new six-year contract that will pay him $4 million annually.The agreement makes Meyer the highest-paid coach in the SEC and third-highest in college football.

"Coach Meyer has certainly proven to be one of the top college football coaches in the country and should be compensated as such," UF athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement released by UF on Monday. "We are proud he is our coach and we appreciate all that he has done for the Gators."

UF president Bernie Machen said in the spring that Meyer would be getting a new contract after leading the Gators to their second national title in the last three years. He said at the SEC Spring Meetings that Meyer was the best coach in college football and deserved to be compensated accordingly.

"I believe that Urban Meyer is the best at what he does," Machen said in a statement released by UF on Monday.

"He demands excellence of his players on the field and in the classroom. Not only did the University of Florida win a national championship in January, but all 13 seniors received degrees and the 2008 football team tied an SEC league record with 37 players named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. We're proud he's a Gator."

Meyer's new contract runs through the 2014 season, which should put an end to recent rumors about Meyer possibly leaving UF for Notre Dame after the 2009 season. He had four years left on his previous contract that was worth $3.25 million per year. Meyer made $375,000 in bonuses last season for winning the BCS national and SEC titles and finishing in the top 10.
UF's assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Charlie Strong — who made $290,000 last season — also are expected to receive raises. Their contracts are still being reworked for the upcoming season.

Meyer shot down the rumors earlier this summer when he said he loved it at Florida and was not going anywhere.

"I continue to be very thankful and appreciative for everything the University of Florida and the athletic program has done for me and my family," Meyer said in a statement released by UF. "Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and the community make this a special place and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Meyer will be the highest-paid coach in the SEC, just slightly ahead of Alabama's Nick Saban ($3.9 million a year) and LSU's Les Miles ($3.8 million a year). Southern California's Pete Carroll is college football's highest paid coach at a reported $4.4 million per year, followed by Notre Dames Charlie Weis ($4.2 million).

In his four seasons at UF, Meyer has compiled a record of 44-9 and led the Gators to two SEC titles and two national championships. He is the first coach to win two BCS National Championships. Meyer is 12-1 against UF's biggest rivals — Florida State, Georgia, Tennessee and Miami.

Since 2005, the University Athletic Association has contributed $17.3 million to the University of Florida, including logo revenue.

Meyer co-chairs a campus charge to raise $50 million for UF's Florida Opportunity Scholars Program. The program was created by Machen to provide financial assistance to first-generation, financially disadvantaged students working toward a bachelor's degree. Meyer has made a $1 million commitment to FSO that will be paid over the course of his new contract.

Here's video from that last National Championship. Major Wright's HIT OF THE YEAR!!!

((HT: BCS on Fox/NCAA))

A Busy Day at Media Days

Today by far was the biggest and busiest day at the SEC Media Days in Birmingham, Alabama. Among the featured guests: Nick Saban, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer, Mark Richt and Houston Nutt. All had...well they really didn't say much other than what you would expect them to say. Now that we have figured out that the official OSG Flipcam actually does have a small zoom, we were able to zoom a little closer. Unfortunately, the Flipcam doesn't have an audio input, so we had to deal with the same audio issues.

We tried something new tonight, here are clips from all of our featured guests, please enjoy them:

Kiffin Faces The Music At SEC Spring Meetings

For most of Tuesday and Wednesday those of us at the OSG HQ have talking to our sources at the SEC Spring Meetings down in Destin, Florida and sitting back and taking in all the articles and stories from other blogs and newspapers of Lane Kiffin's appearance amongst his SEC head coaching peers. No need to recount Kiffin's actions since getting the Tennessee gig but he's not apologizing for it.

Kiffin says he won't apologize simply because his actions have made Tennessee the most talked about 5-7 team this off-season and top of mind of football recruits around the country. It's no secret that UT has to recruit nationally because the state of Tennessee simply doesn't produce enough Division 1 talent. So in 6 months Kiffin became aggressive in putting Tennessee on the national map during the recruiting season. It paid off with a top 10 class including what many consider the top player in the country running back Bryce Brown.

In the meantime he poked jabs at Nick Saban, Urban Meyer and Steve Spurrier. According to FOSG Tony Barnhart of the AJC.com, Kiffin and Spurrier rode an elavator together and patched things up.

As for Urban Meyer, he said he would be "professional" in his first face-to-face contact but don't be surprised if ice forms on the walls and both coaches can see their breath. When asked about Meyer, Lane Kiffin reinforced his reputation as the king of the one liners by saying "I don’t have a relationship with Coach Meyer, but I did ask for adjoining (hotel) rooms,” with a laugh. If that were the case, would it surprise you if Urban Meyer left a stinky gift in his bed.

And Nick Saban's comments were typical, thought out, precise and to the point.

“Everybody has to have their own way of handling things and heavens knows I’ve made my share of mistakes with the media,” Saban said. “But we try to represent our organization in a first-class way and do it with loyalty and integrity.”

Our favorite comment comes from Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino who to this date has not been insulted by Kiffin but the two were on the Jacksonville Jaguar coaching staff a few years back.

“I’ve laughed about it, it has put a smile on my face,” Petrino said. “Maybe if we want to quit talking about it, those guys (Meyer and Kiffin) can go jump in that Ultimate Fighting ring. That would sell some tickets.”

That would be awesome. Much better than yesterday's Jose Canseco fiasco.

Photo Courtesy: AP