Urban Meyer’s surprise resignation may well set off a domino effect among college football coaches. Louisville, however, is confident it won’t be among the dominoes to fall in any chain reaction.
Meyer cited health concerns Saturday night in announcing his decision, leaving Gators fans wondering who’s next in line in Gainesville.
Charlie Strong, recently hired as Lousville’s coach, would be a logical candidate as Florida’s longtime defensive coordinator. Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich said Sunday he would understand if Strong were interested in the opening, but he’s encouraged by several “positive” conversations with the coach since Meyer’s announcement.
During Meyer’s five seasons, Florida has become the most glamorous team in the most powerful conference, and the school sits smack in the heart of the nation’s most fertile recruiting area.
times rolling on Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, who must embark on another coaching search, his third in 10 years.
When Steve Spurrier left abruptly after the 2001 season, Foley reached out to former defensive coordinator Bob Stoops, but the Oklahoma coach passed. Maybe one of Stoops’ former assistants will be on Foley’s list. Houston coach Kevin Sumlin already passed on the Cincinnati opening.
Boise State’s Chris Petersen and TCU’s Gary Patterson are mentioned when practically any job opens at a program in the big six BCS conferences. Or maybe Florida will hire Utah’s coach again; university president Bernie Machen was at the school when Meyer was there, and Kyle Whittingham has led the Utes to a No. 2 final ranking last season and 10 wins this year.
Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, then at Louisville, was considered to be Foley’s fallback plan if Meyer had decided against taking the Florida job in 2004.
Dan Mullen was Meyer’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Utah and Florida before he took the Mississippi State job last year. Mullen led a Bulldogs team that was thin on talent to five victories this season.
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AP Sports Writer Will Graves in Louisville, Ky., contributed to this report.
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