Spurrier out of the running

[Tricky_Falcon]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1915954

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Steve Spurrier won't return to coach the Florida Gators.

Spurrier removed his name from consideration Thursday to replace Ron Zook, who was fired last week after the latest in a series of embarrassing losses. Zook was hired at Florida after the 2001 season, when Spurrier left the Gators to coach the Washington Redskins.

"When I departed three years ago, there were several reasons why I believed it was time to move on," Spurrier said in a statement released by the school. "Other than simply wanting to coach in the NFL someday, I also believed that 12 years at Florida was probably long enough. Many people in football believe that around 10-12 years in the same job is about the maximum time a coach should stay."

Florida fired Zook Oct. 25 after two-plus years. Zook and his staff will finish out the season; according to one report, the university will buy out Zook's contract at $450,000 for each of the remaining four years.

The Gators won six Southeastern Conference championships and the 1996 national title under Spurrier. He posted 122 victories over 12 seasons, tormented opponents with his offensive flair and witty one-liners, and left town with the best winning percentage in league history.
Spurrier said athletic director Jeremy Foley called him several times this week to set up a meeting after the season with him and school president Bernie Machen.

"They were obviously making an effort to meet with me," Spurrier said.

Spurrier resigned from the Redskins after last season. Washington went 12-20 in two seasons under Spurrier, losing 10 of the last 12.

[pardonfan]

Looks like the job is Urban's.

[Metz]

Looks like the job is Urban's.

They'd be stupid not to go after him so I see him down there in a few months too...

[NWLB]

I think Urban should wait for Notre Dame. But then I'm not sure he'd want to stick around Utah after taking a non-BCS team to a BCS bowl. His stock might not ever get higher, unless he does it again.

[BelieveNBG]

They are going in hot pursuit after Urban and he would be crazzzy to turn down that kind of loot. On the other hand, he would be setting himself up for a very hard task. The SEC teams already have explosive offenses and it would be hard to turn around Florida with just an explosive offense. Urban would need a defensive specialist. He would certainly have his work cut out and would be risking his good name if he didn't succeed. It's gonna be darn hard to out coach the likes of Phillip Fulmer and Mark Richt and they are both on the Florida half of the SEC. The other side, there is LSU and Auburn. Florida expectations will be extremely high. I don't know if even Urban wants to take that type of risk with his carreer.

[FalconsIn04]

Urban would be crazy not to take the cash that Florida will throw at him. If he says, "I'll wait for Notre Dame, Ohio State or some other big time school" he could end up like Gary Blackney and have a couple down years, get fired and turn up as a coordinator somewhere. A coach like him has to jump at the opportunity when it is there.

[hammb]

Chris Leak in Urban's offense is a scary proposition.