Urban Meyer to Florida rumor
Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 10:07 am
Meyer refutes Internet rumors
Florida fan Web site claims Meyer made deal with the Gators
By Dirk Facer
Deseret Morning News
Urban Meyer said he hasn't had any contact with Florida, Washington or any other school looking for a new football coach.
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Utah coach Urban Meyer and an official enjoy a conversation.
August Miller, Deseret Morning News
"I plan on coaching at Utah next year," he said after practice Tuesday. "There's been no contact made. Period."
A Florida fan Web site "Gator Country" is reporting that Meyer has reached an agreement to succeed Ron Zook as head coach of the Gators. It cites unnamed, but "extremely credible and accurate" sources for the information. An official announcement, the report continued, will be made on or before Dec. 13.
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley disputed the story with a statement claiming he has not spoken with Meyer or any other active coach about his school's opening.
"It's almost comical," said Meyer. "We're playing the biggest game in the history of the school and we're talking about that. That's nothing to do with nothing."
Meyer, whose fifth-ranked squad hosts BYU Saturday (5 p.m., ESPN2), is 20-2 in less than two seasons with the Utes. He's the first coach in Utah history to win that many games before his fourth year on the job.
COUGAR CONNECTIONS: Utah's Paris Warren's cousin Brian Hamilton is a former BYU basketball player. Warren said Hamilton didn't really like the school, but is a big fan of head coach Steve Cleveland.
Utah defensive lineman Sione Pouha may have the most ties with BYU. His cousin, Moa Peaua, is a fullback for the Cougars. Another cousin is married to running back Fahu Tahe.
And that's not all.
While serving as an LDS Church missionary in Pittsburgh from 1998-2000, Pouha trained back-up BYU offensive lineman Scott Tidwell.
"He's a good guy. Let me tell you what, he's a hard worker that's for sure," said Pouha. "If he takes the things he learned on his mission, in terms of what I saw, and puts it on the field he'll be a good player."
TREV TALKING: ESPN college football analyst Trev Alberts, who raised the ire of Meyer were unflattering comments about the Utes earlier this season, offered a backhand compliment of sorts. While discussing the BCS with Dan Patrick on "SportsCenter," Alberts said that folks would likely get what they wanted — a Fiesta Bowl featuring Boston College and Utah.
"The landscape of college football will never be the same," Alberts said before Patrick asked him if he was bitter about it. "I'm not bitter. I think they're good teams. Good for Utah. I'm glad they're in."
Alberts then asked Patrick who he'd take in a game between Texas and Utah. Patrick opted not to respond — deferring any such questions to Lee Corso, who was not on the air.