Sports Columnists

By brewerfaninATL

February 14, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Hey Terrance, the bottom line is wins and losses. You can recruit like a madman all you want, like Zooker has, but if you keep losing to teams like Mississippi State and Indiana, like Zooker has, you should and probably WILL get canned, like Zooker has (at Florida). Being a Wisconsin fan, I really have ZERO worries about having to face Zooker’s Illinois squad because I know that, for every decent victory, a rotten loss is sure to follow! Crap on Urban Meyer all you want about winning the title with Zook’s guys, but the bottom line is HE WON! If Zooker did what he was supposed to do with all thos blue-chippers, we wouldn’t be having this conversation! Also, you can’t really judge someone’s recruiting class until these kids are in their junior or senior years…so let’s wait for Zooker’s pat on the back for about 3 or 4 years…IF he’s still around there!

By Bayou Tiger

February 14, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Terrance…

Good for you in stuicking up for Ron Zook. Why is everybody out to hang him? Here is a true football guy, one who has coached at every level (even in the “sacred” pro game)and obviously experienced greater success at the collegiate level. College football needs more Ron Zooks and less Urban Meyers. Am I the only one who thinks the slick-talking, self-promoting, “let QB’s play FB”, crybaby Meyer is the next Nick Saban?

GO ILLINI; but more importantly, GEAUX TIGERS!

By Darrin "The Vent King"

February 14, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Man, you guys must be running out of things to write about.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

February 14, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Bayou Tiger:

WTF are you talking about? More Zooks and less Meyers? I think Zook is an okay guy, but you sound like you have a personal thing against Meyer that has nothing to do with either of these guys coaching abilities. Who cares on the colliegiate level what Zook has done in the pros. Don’t justify your obvious hate for Meyer by making Zook out to be the better coach, because that’s just nuts. Zook is a good coach and so is Meyer (maybe better), but your whole arguement is biased and off-base, sort of like you cheering for the Illini and LSU. What is that about?

GO GATORS!

By BlackJacket

February 14, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

Zook would have won the same as Urban Meyer if given one more year. He was playing with freshmen and soph. Those guys had to grow up before they could win anything. I could have coached this past Florida team pretty far as well.

By Bayou Tiger

February 14, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Hey, “Vent King”….

I have nothing against Meyer because I’m an SEC guy. It’s apparent you rooted against every other SEC teanm in the bowls except for your Gators. That’s your choice; however, since you decided to adopt the normal arrogant stance of most Florida fans (and those God-awful uniform colors) I can’t wait until Tebow proves to be the media creation he is and Meyer pulls a “Nick Saban” and bolts for the pros; which is only a matter of time.

GEAUX TIGERS!

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Okay, I’m a Gator alumnus and fan, but I would like to think that I’m fairly objective about the relative merits of each of the Gators’ last three coaches.

First, Spurrier was a Gator hero before he was the Ol’ Ball Coach. As a Heisman-winning QB, he led what were probably the three best Gator football teams since the late 1920s. But for a couple of good Dawg teams, UF would have won an SEC title 24 years before they finally did in 1991. SOS was also a superlative offensive coach; when he landed in Gainesville, the good teams in the SEC were still playing a power running game style of offense that was ripe for revolution. With his Fun & Gun offense, SOS changed the way the SEC plays football, and SEC football is better for it. Better, more sophisticated offensive schemes, and as a result, faster defensive talent to keep up. All credit goes to the Gators coach who finally helped the UF program turn the corner, and he was an offensive innovator who changed the conference. To true blue Gators, SOS will always be a hero (even if he coaches his upstart Gamecocks to an occasional win against the Gators).

Zook clearly had a tough act to follow, and frankly other first-tier coaches wanted no part of attempting to follow in SOS’s very large shoes. (Heck, even SOS couldn’t live up to some Gator fans’ expectations at the end.) Nice guy, decent recruiter, mediocre game-day coach, miserable team disciplinarian. My bold assertion: with the same talent and the same schedules, SOS would have averaged at least two more wins in each of those three seasons because SOS always got more results out of his available talent; Zook always got less. While the circumstances were clearly not favorable to Zook, there is no comparison between the Evil Genius and the Zookster.

Meyer? Well, it’s tough to argue with this past season’s results, isn’t it? Meyer has been a head coach for six seasons at three different schools, he’s younger than Spurrier when SOS accepted the UF head coach position, and he has a track record of doing big things in the second year of each of his three programs. Great recruiter, great team disciplinarian, good person, good game-day coach. To anyone who closely followed the internal problems of the Gators’ football program during Zook’s three-year tenure, there is no comparison between Meyer and Zook. Meyer did more with similar talent, and did it largely because he recreated an esprit de corps among the players (the so-called “family” environment), and reimposed a sense of team discipline that had been sorely lacking under Zook. Zook too often wanted to be his players’ buddy; that doesn’t work for anything other than a flag football coach.

So, is Urban Meyer the second coming of the Evil Genius? Well, that remains to be seen. We’ll have a better picture of the relative strengths and weaknesses of Meyer and Spurrier after the next two seasons. The competition in 2007 is better than it was in 1990. The Gators are now mostly Meyer’s recruits, so he will have an opportunity to truly test his spread offense with talent recruited for the scheme, but the Gators will be relatively young in 2007. While the Gators could get lucky in 2007 and repeat as SEC champions, the 2008 will be the true test of Meyer as a head coach, of his recruiting, and of his offensive scheme. Given Meyer’s last two seasons, I, for one, am more than willing to wait and see how the next two seasons play out.

I am certain of one thing: as an SEC football fan, it’s going to be fun to watch.

By The Big Guy

February 14, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Things are the way they are meant to be. There is no alternative time line. Deal with it.

By Terence Moore

February 14, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

WHITE POWER!!!

By BH

February 14, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

The problem i saw is Gator wants a quick fix. They even didn’t give Zook enough time to become power. Just like if UF fired Meyer last year, he WILL NEVER won national champ. with Gator. They were just to find a scapegoat. Go Zook!

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 01:07 PM | Link to this

BH——Please don’t misunderstand my critique of Zook. He is a decent coach (and a better recruiter), and as former Gator coach, coordinator and assistant, I wish him well at Illinois.

However, as an informed and concerned observer of UF’s football program, I can tell you that Zook’s poor record as a team disciplinarian had as much or more to do with him getting canned half way through his third season as his win-loss record did. Without those incidents, he may have gotten a fourth season (or at least the administration would have waited until the end of the season to fire him).

There were several high-profile, off-the-field problems duing Zook’s tenure, including at least one where Zook was the central figure. At the beginning of his third season, two Gator football players were involved in a physical altercation at a Saturday night fraternity party. That was bad enough, but the incident could have been sorted out by the coaching staff, the administration and student services. Instead, Zook showed up on the fraternity house steps with several of his players in tow on Monday morning, and proceeded to get into a screaming match with several 20-something fraternity guys, with witnesses from the local media and general student body. Absolute insanity. At the time, I knew several (non-football) Gator coaches; the consensus of other coaches was that it was simply a matter of time until Zook was fired. Furthermore, the other coaches believe, Zook was not that smart, and he had lost control of his team (and of himself on one very public occasion). Zook was fired six weeks later.

After the Great Gator Debacle of the 1980s, there is a very low tolerance for publicly embarrassing rules infractions and discipline problems within the Gator athletic program. Under AD Jeremy Foley, whether you are a coach or a player, you embarrass the university and the athletic program at your own risk. Zook did just that.

Like Paul Harvey says, “now you know the rest of the story.”

By mark

February 14, 2007 01:12 PM | Link to this

Richt has had quite a bit of success with Donnan’s recruits. He was one game away (a loss to fla. of course) from going to a NC himself in ‘02. Coker won a NC when he inherited that Miami program and hasn’t done squat since bringing in his own recruits. My point is that this has happened before. Let’s see how they do when they have a whole team of their own players.

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 01:17 PM | Link to this

Blackjacket——With all due respect for you and the permissible rhetorical excess of this blog, I doubt your assertion. Unless you are a retired Division I football coach who has played or coached in the SEC, you would have had your head handed to you as the head coach of the Gators or any other SEC team. There are very valid reasons why good head coaches are paid $1 million-plus, and it ain’t their good looks. Very few people are capable of coaching a team at this level. Period.

Meyer did an extraordinary job of shifting players from role to role this year in order to fill gaps left by injuries and past recruiting failures. That you are not aware of that, and perceive the Gators to be some near invincible juggernaut based on talent alone, is evidence of just how good a coach Meyer really is. The Gators had plenty of holes in their talent, and they found creative ways to work and play around those holes. That’s the essence of good coaching.

By Dr.Doom

February 14, 2007 01:25 PM | Link to this

You guys sure put a lot of energy into analyzing thugs.

By The Murf

February 14, 2007 01:25 PM | Link to this

Its called execution, Terence. You don’t always win with the best team. You have to execute and that is what Meyer did.

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 01:46 PM | Link to this

Terrance Moore——I understand that you seem inclined to take Zook’s side in what you perceive to be an unfair and short-sighted firing by the University of Florida. So be it; it makes for a good opinion piece.

In addition to my comments about Zook’s poor record as a team disciplinarian (of which you and many others seem to be unaware), I would also like to address your “foundation setting” comment directly. Zook was a Florida assistant from 1991-95, first as the defensive coordinator in 1991-93, but was demoted by Spurrier to special teams coordinator in 1994 for his perceived failings as a DC. You will recall that Bob Stoops (now the NC head coach at Oklahoma) was the Gators’ DC during the Gators’ national championship run in 1996. Zook left the program in 1995 for greener pastures, and returned 7 years laster as head coach. There were no prior Zook recruits left when he returned, no remaining legacy from his years as a coordinator or assistant.

I’m not trying to beat the guy up; I’m just trying to get the historical facts on the table, rather than allowing opinions regarding Zook’s perceived-to-be-unfair firing to fulminate based on inaccurate information.

By Brian

February 14, 2007 01:58 PM | Link to this

Terence - there is an analogy out there that applies to all coaches whether it be football, basketball, etc. You never want to be the coach who follows “THE coach”. You want to be the coach after the coach who follows “THE coach”. It doesn’t matter if it is Steve Spurrier or Dean Smith who is stepping down. The first to replace him will never do well. But the guy who comes next will have a fair shot.

By Brian

February 14, 2007 02:02 PM | Link to this

Sorry Terence, it’s not an analogy, it’s actually a cliche. But it’s still true…

By imho

February 14, 2007 02:11 PM | Link to this

A much better story would be Meyer vs. Weiss…….

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 02:13 PM | Link to this

Dr. Doom——Cool handle, my friend.

Obviously, I am a partisan Gator fan, but I must nevertheless take exception to your “thugs” comments. To the extent that the Gators ever exhibited “thuggish” behavior, poor discipline was far more evident during Zook’s tenure than during Meyer’s. (Please see my comments above.)

If you want examples of thuggish behavior, I refer you to the Miami-FIU brawl this past season as an example fo the consequences of allowing a breadown in team discipline. That sort of crap is not and will not be tolerated by the UF administration, athletic director or current head coach.

Incidentally, the UM-FIU brawl cost a pretty good UM head coach his job, so apparently even UM has minimum bheavior standards of a sort.

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 02:25 PM | Link to this

Bayou Tiger——Like all bloggers, you’re certainly entitled to your opinion regarding the relative merits of coaches Zook and Meyer. However, I do have a clarifying question for you: Would you trade Les Miles for Ron Zook as the Tigers’ head football coach?

No need to reply, my friend; unless you’ve lost your mind, I already know that you would prefer to keep Miles.

By War Eagle

February 14, 2007 02:47 PM | Link to this

brewer,I agree with you on recruiting facts base on Ws and Ls. UGA has had equal recruiting success as Florida last 4 years, UGA is rank 18th preseason, Florida top 5 after winning NC. This kinda brothers me being dawg fan except my love Auburn. UGA is past 2 SEC titles, what direction are they going now? I really see and feel a let down in past recruits and the present for winning big.. Back to Zook, Illinois and Big Ten is NO Florida, GA and Louisana, in high school recruiting. SEC had 5 top ten recruiting class with UGA close. Florida is at the top of its game not only in football, round ball too. Playing in the SEC makes Florida subject to winning NC every year, but Myers has done a good job, better than I anticipated.He will be in the batlle for Atlanta for sometime to come.

By Orlando Rivera

February 14, 2007 02:49 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator - Dr. Doom’s a racist, end of story!

You present very strong and mature observations, I didn’t think such intelligence existed on this blog. While Zook was a great recruiter, he did provide the discipline that is needed, especially after following an icon like Spurrier. The “fireronzook.com” crowd was waiting on Zook to make a mistake so they could pounce on him, and that incident with the fraternity boys was exactly the fuel that lit the fire. It’s as they always say, you never want to be the man that follows the legend, be the man AFTER that one. Meyer came in with a well-known reputation for a creative offense that Florida fans were used to and loved so much. He molded them into (undisputed) champions. In some aspects I would say he was a better coach than Spurrier.

By Bayou Tiger

February 14, 2007 03:07 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator: Here is your clarifying question: Would Florida have traded Steve Spurrier for Urban Meyer - or anybody for that matter - back in the day? Turnabout is fair play, my friend!

By UFownsUGA

February 14, 2007 03:16 PM | Link to this

2 years ago you guys said Meyer couldnt win in the SEC or recruit in the SEC. Now some of you are trying to say let’s see him win with “his” players. Sounds like some Sour Grapes and wishful thinking on your part as with you hoping and praying Urban goes to the NFL. Keep praying guys. Urban Meyer will make you guys wish Spurrier’s Gators were back. He’s already proved himself and if you think otherwise please tell me what your coach did better in his second year at his program, Im all of you non-Gators.

The LSU fan is just bashing Tebow because he slapped around your all-world safety and made your defense look like fools every play he was in on. Not bad for a freshman that URBAN MEYER recruited.

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 03:16 PM | Link to this

Orlando Rivera——Well, someone ought to try to elevate the blog conversation above the usual “your team sucks,” UGAy, Gaytors, my coach can beat your coach, etc., insults, don’t you think? For a bunch of self-proclaimed college football experts, there sure are a lot of folks who offer nothing but trash talk … .

Incidentally, I was not one of the fireronzook.com idiots; I was one of the alumni who repeatedly said that we needed to give Zook a 3 or 4 years at building his own program. After 3 seasons, however, the evidence was that Zook just wasn’t ready to be the head coach at a big-time program. The fact that no established coaches wanted to follow the Evil Genius’ 6 SEC championships and 1 national title shouldn’t surprise anyone; and it hurt Zook with Gator fans that he was perceived as Jeremy Foley’s 5th or 6th choice.

Here’s the bottom line: Spurrier mostly blew out the opposition with a high-scoring offense, Zook lost a lot of close games in 3 years, and Meyer won a lot of close games en route to a BCS national championship. Who’s is the best coach of the three? Clearly, not Zook. Is Spurrier or Meyer the better coach? I don’t know; I’m quite happy to let Urban build his record over the next 5 to 10 years, and then we can compare SOS’s 12 seasons to UM’s 12 seasons … how about that?

As for Dr. Doom’s “thugs” comment, I didn’t perceive it to be racist, just a cheap shot at the Gators. I don’t know the Doctor, though; I could be wrong. It happens from time to time.

By Errrr What

February 14, 2007 03:32 PM | Link to this

Um Terence, why do we give a $H1T about Florida football on our AJC blog? Give me a break. Get a clue about what your readers want to hear about and then write about it.

By Bayou Tiger

February 14, 2007 03:42 PM | Link to this

Hey, UFownsUGA…When did Tim Tebow “slap around” LeRon Landry of LSU? At least you got the “all-world” part right, and a #1 NFL draft pick, too boot! As stated preiously, typical Florida arrogance. Little wonder why the rest its SEC bretheran can’t stand UF. Enjoy it while you can. We’ll see who does the “slapping around” this year in Baton Rouge!

By UFownsUGA

February 14, 2007 03:53 PM | Link to this

I do think Landry is all-world. He was without a doubt the second best Safety in the SEC and will be a 1st round pick and probably the 2nd Safety chosen in the draft behind Reggie Nelson. Not bad. You can call us arrogant, thats your opinion. I call us National Champs and that’s a fact. Please do tell me the play LSU and LaRon stopped Tim Tebow on. I guess you were getting a refreshment and missed Tebow’s first play vs. LSU where he ran over Landry and Daniels. I would have wanted to miss that one too if I were an LSU fan. And your right we will probably see more of Tebow and UF slapping you around in Red Stick in the fall.

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 04:01 PM | Link to this

Bayou Tiger——The Big Guy said it best above, “there is no alternative time line.” That having been said, I’ll take a serious stab at answering your question … .

No, I would not have traded Spurrier for Meyer in 1990-1996, or even 1997-2002. Spurrier did something special that no previous Florida coach was able to do (putting aside Charley Pell, his IPTAY-inspired NCAA infractions, and the Gators’ voided 1984 SEC championship). Spurrier was a foundation builder, with a brash personality and quick mind who made players, coaches and fans believe. There is no Urban Meyer without Steve Spurrier. Meyer, to his credit, has repeatedly said as much.

On the other hand, Meyer is that second generation guy that no program can sustain its success without. Without Meyer, Florida fades back to pre-Spurrier mediocrity. With Meyer, the Gators build a tradition that transcends a single coaching regime.

As coaches, I think that SOS and UM actually have a lot in common: great offensive minds, good discipline, and proper emphasis on academics and off-the-field discipline. Meyer may even have better intangibles in terms of motivational skills and building team spirit. Slight edge to SOS for game-day coaching, but then SOS has been a head coach for over 3 times as long as UM.

Would I trade SOS for UM in 2007? No, probably not. Here’s why: SOS thrives on adversity and perceived lack of respect, which is what makes him so d*amn dangerous at USC. He needs that extra personal motivation, and will do well as a result at USC. Would I have traded UM for SOS in 1997? Absolutely not, for the reasons above.

By Bayou Tiger

February 14, 2007 04:09 PM | Link to this

Hey, UFownsUGA…You’re right; I must have missed that play. I’ve been following LSU football for 40 years and I guess I must have been blinded by the athletic brillance of Tim Tebow in “running over” one of the greatest FS’s in both LSU and SEC history. I’m sure you have the tape, too! I hope LSU sees an entire game of Tebow in Red Stick. That’ll surely guarantee a Tiger win and UF fans will be yearning for the “long ago” days of Chris Leak, whom you buffoons booed unmercifully his entire career until he delivered a National Title. UF: Win with no class; and lose with even less!

By Greg

February 14, 2007 04:15 PM | Link to this

Terence, what if a horse was a cow and a cow was a horse, I guess we would ride a cow and milk and horse. This article is not as bad as the rest of your articles, it is worse. Who knows what would of happened with the Meyer/Zook situation, and for that matter who cares. Facts are facts and the fact is UF won the National Championship and and you don’t like the UF or Meyer. And here is another fact I think your articles stink and you’re a cheese ball.

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 04:20 PM | Link to this

Bayou Tiger & UFownsUGA——Uh, boys, predictions are generally worth what you pay for them, and sports predictions may be worth even less. What do you say we just let the Gator and Tiger kids play next fall, and may the best school win, eh? The actual game will certainly be more fun to watch than adult LSU and UF fans trading insults in the middle of February … .

By UFownsUGA

February 14, 2007 04:23 PM | Link to this

Yeah we booed Chris Leak his whole career. Now your delusional. “SOME” UF fans booed Tebow not being able to finish off an 80 yard drive and now it’s become Leak was booed his whole career…too funny. Tebow OWNED LSU in every play he ran vs. them so you should hope he doesnt play a full game against you. You were probably saying UF will never win with Leak in Meyer’s system also. You truly look like a fool LSU fan. A jealous fool at that. UF has hands down the best athletic program in the SEC and has for the last 15 years. I guess us being proud of this fact is something jealous people like you use the word “arrogance” to mask your insecurity of being inferior in Academic and Athletic rankings. Seeing as those are a litlle more relevant than “opinions” from corndogs like you.

I guess facts dont impress you or change your fanblinded opinion’s…I guess video will help set you straight…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgaa8b8GvZw

you will enjoy the play of your LSU defense in that espicially at the end of it.

By Fire me Please!

February 14, 2007 04:31 PM | Link to this

What, am I reading the Jacksonville Times? Moore, maybe they are hiring at the University of Florida school newspaper. Not even sure they would hire you.

By Greg

February 14, 2007 04:36 PM | Link to this

Terence, What if a cow was a horse and a horse was a cow? I guess we would be riding a cow and milking a horse. Who knows what would of happened with the Meyer/Zook situation, and really who cares? This article is not as bad as your other articles it is worse. Facts are facts and the fact is you don’t like the UF and you don’t like Urban Meyer. Here is another fact, I don’t like you or you journalism. Florida won the national championship and they are good at what they do unlike what you do and how you do it.

By Professor Albert

February 14, 2007 04:49 PM | Link to this

Tim Tebow vs. LSU (2006):

total carries: 9 total yards: 35 yards average yards per carry: 3.9 longest run: 15 yards touchdowns: 1 fumbles: 0

Fire me Please!, We were under the distinct impression that we were reading the Times-Picayune. By the way, the Jacksonville newspaper is properly styled the Florida Times-Union.

By Tennille Dawg

February 14, 2007 05:06 PM | Link to this

Who cares? It’s obvious Terence was having difficulty finding a topic to write a column on! If we’re dealing in conjecture, let’s do it with The Dawgs! How about: What if ERK had followed Dooley at UGA?

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 05:41 PM | Link to this

Tennille Dawg——In the spirit of friendly rivalry, I’ll bite.

Setting aside his age in 1989, if Erk Russell had been named UGA’s head coach, the Dawgs would have done substantially better than 46-34-1 in the following 7 seasons. I base my comment on the strength of Erk’s record as UGA’s defensive coordinator and his record of success as head coach in reviving Georgia Southern’s football program and winning three Division I-AA chmpionships there. (Ohio State’s Jim Tressel won 4 I-AA NC’s at Youngstown State, and look what he has done in Division I.)

Dooley went for young and photogenic instead. It was a mistake.

By Jax Gator

February 14, 2007 05:56 PM | Link to this

I have been close to Gator football and b-ball since 1963. I have heard numerous apologist for Zook tell us he could have done better if only he had not followed Steve. The point is Zook is the worst college head coach I have ever seen. The Gators could have matched his records without a coach. Graves, Pell and Hall never had that level of talent. Steve never had real great talent either but was able to install an offence that was new and could put up points. He also let the D people coach the D.

By Dawgs2007

February 14, 2007 06:15 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait to watch Florida fall on its face this year after they develop Fat Cat syndrome.

Oh, and by the way Terrance… Mike Vick is a low-life THUG!

By Don't drink and type

February 14, 2007 06:18 PM | Link to this

Teri, Ron Zook had been Florida’s defensive coordinator and sucked so bad Spurrier demoted him. He only got the job after Bob Stoops Stoopidly turned it down. He was basically a desperation pick for Nancy Foley. The fans knew this. Why would they be happy with a guy they knew was going to suck? And he did. Nancy Foley got lucky with Meyer.

By Don't drink and type

February 14, 2007 06:28 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Gator if you think Ray Goof is photogenic something is wrong with your eyes girl.

By jim l

February 14, 2007 06:40 PM | Link to this

terrance -Played for Woody at OSU and NFL for 8 years. You make an interesting point but you miss the real key. SOME HEAD COACHES JUST GET IT AND SOME DON’T. And it’s obvious right away when they GET IT- WHATEVER “IT” IS!!! All these coaches like Zook are great coaches and know the game - it just doesn’t always translate to being a great head coach- marion Campbell- one of the best D coordinators in the game - terrible results head coach- although that’s pro game. Florida- mediocre results in 70’s 80’s - great talent- they hire Spurrier -BAM sec championships & National title. Oklahoma- in the toilet in late 90’s—- hire Stoops -Bam- nat. title and in the hunt every year. USC in the toilet- hire Carroll BAM- Nat. title and in the hunt. Ohio State couldn’t win a big game with Cooper - hire Tressel- BAM nat title- in the hunt every year. LSU-Saban same thing. Fla -Meyer same thing - totally schooled Tressel and staff in NC game, along with great talent like ALL these big programs have. OSU has just as many pro players on its roster, but got out coached in every phase and would have been beaten by any of the top 10 teams if coached by Meyer in that NC game. COACHING COACHING COACHING- I;ve been telling people that for 30 years -SOME GUYS ARE JUST GREAT HEAD COACHES, AND HAVE THE KNACK, AND SOME DON’T. Don’t ask me what “IT” is BUT……It’s as simple as that!!!

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 06:45 PM | Link to this

“Don’t drink and type”——I agree with the substance of your comments about Zook, but I disagree regarding Bob Stoops and Jeremy Foley. Stoops wanted to build his own program at Oklahoma, not inherit Spurrier’s, and I certainly respect that. If Foley got lucky regarding Meyer, it was when the University of Florida hired Bernie Machen as its new president; Machen had hired Meyer at Utah when Machen was president at Utah, and he knew first-hand how good Meyer was. Meyer was UF’s first and only choice, and he gave up his boyhood dream to be Notre Dame’s coach. I guess it all worked out for the best, eh?

P.S. I’m probably not the best judge of whether Ray Goff is photogenic or not, since I dated cheerleaders not football players, but Goff was certainly a better-looking guy than Erk. Erk had a face that only true Dawg fans and his players could love. That guy could coach; clearly, he wasn’t hired for his looks. All kidding aside, given Erk’s age and health issues, I don’t know how long he could have coached at UGA, but clearly he was the sentimental favorite to replace Dooley.

By JT

February 14, 2007 06:48 PM | Link to this

UF ONWNS UGA,

OUR COACH DID THE EXACAT SAME THING IN HIS SECOND SEASON AS YOURS, THAT IS GO 13-1. WE LOST ON THE ROAD THAT YEAR IN THE GATOR BOWL AND YOU LOST THIS PAST YEAR AT AUBURN. AND YOUR POINT IS…? URBAN IS A FINE COACH, WE WOULD ALL AGREE BUT YOU NEED A LOT OF LUCK TO BECOME PHANTOM CHAMPS. I SAY PHANTOM BECAUSE SADLY NOONE REALLY VALIDATES YOUR TITLE, EXCEPT THE UF BOOKSTORE AND APPAREL VENDORS. UNTIL THE NCAA ACTUALLY CROWNS A NC, THEN I SAY AUBURN WON THE NC IN 2003, AND UGA WON IT IN 2006. I MEAN WHAT THE HELL DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHEN YOU DON’T PROVE IT ON THE FIELD, LIKE YOUR HOOPS TEAM DID LAST YEAR. THEY ARE UNDISPUTED NATIONAL CHAMPS. THE FACT THAT UF GOT A REMATCH WITH FSU IN 96 AND UM DID NOT WITH OSU IN 06 IS THE TOSS OF A HAT AND UNDERSCORES WHY WE NEED A PLAYOFF SYSTEM. UF WILL NOT WIN THE SEC IN 2008 SIMPLY B/C OF THE LOSS OF TALENT TO THE NFL. IT IS VITRUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO REPEAT, ESPECIALLY WITH A ROOKIE QB.

By Don't drink and type

February 14, 2007 06:52 PM | Link to this

“It” is likely instinct that tells them what moves to make at crucial times, especially in critical junctures of big games. You see it in military and business and too with successful commanders, entrepreneurs and CEOs.

By Krary

February 14, 2007 07:07 PM | Link to this

Zook couldn’t coach worth a lick, Meyer knows how to win big games—-bottom line baby!!!

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 07:14 PM | Link to this

JT——All your comments about the need for a 4 or 8-team Division I playoff are valid. But given the present state of affairs, wouldn’t you rather that your Dawgs would have played for the BCS title in 2001 than not? The present BCS system is clearly imperfect and needs to be replaced with a real playoff of some kind, but the BCS is certainly better than when 2 dozen pollsters picked multiple champions in virtually every season, allowing schools like Tech to claim 6 MNCs, when they were really consensus MNCs only 3 times. Agreed?

BTW, the biggest differences between the ‘96 FSU-UF rematch and the whined-about ‘06 OSU-UM rematch was that (a) the ‘96 rematch was an accident because the Sugar Bowl couldn’t schedule the number 1 rated PAC-10 champion, and (b) UF and FSU were conference champions, not from the same conference. UM and OSU playing a second time is conference championship game, not a national title game; if the Big 10 wants it, they can schedule one. After what happened to Michigan in the Rose Bowl and Ohio State in the BCS championship, I’m surprised that you would assert that either UM or OSU belonged in the BCS title game. IMHO, LSU-UF would have been a much better game even if it was an SEC intramural game, but LSU had 2 regular season losses and got to enjoy a feel-good Sugar Bowl thumping of Notre Dame instead.

By jim l

February 14, 2007 07:15 PM | Link to this

to dont drink and type—- AMEN BROTHER AMEN!!!

By Atlanta Gator

February 14, 2007 07:18 PM | Link to this

“Don’t drink and type”——Your comment regarding “it,” my friend, is the smartest thing that you have written.

By UFownsUGA

February 14, 2007 08:44 PM | Link to this

JT,

My question was what did your coach do better than what Meyer did in his second year. I agree CMR had a great record and yes you are correct with the identical records etc…however, RIcht lost to the Gators and HE DID NOT win a National Title (Was not recognized as national Champ by anyone, mythical or not)

We probably will take a step back in 2007 but we will be in the race for the SEC. 2008 should be a run at the title with the players Urban is bringing in. CMR has NEVER had a player at UGA as good as Percy Harvin. In 2007 and 2008 UF will be lining up 4 of them. Percy Harvin, Chris Rainey, Joe Haden and Jarred Fayson.

By Eli

February 14, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

Hey BAYOU TIGER: You wanted evidence of Tebow slapping Landry around? Well, look no further. In case you forgot, Tebow came out the other side of the pileup and gained several more yards.

Here’s your evidence: http://i12.tinypic.com/2h7010j.jpg

By Eli

February 14, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

Click here to see Tim Tebow run over All-World safety Leron Landry and his teammates

By jvillegator

February 15, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this

Terence, You have no clue about what you are doing. You blast Meyer because you don’t like him or the UF. Here is the beef of your stupid article. You say that Meyer in his first two years played all of Zooks players. Well tell me Terence, what was Meyer suppose to do? Play nothing but freshman his first year and play nothing but freshman and sophmores in his second year? In other words, don’t play Zooks players because they are not his recruits? Come on Terence you can’t be that dumb can you? You fail to mention that he also ran off about twenty or so of Zooks players because of discipline, academics, dedication or bad attitudes. Sure Florida might not be as great next season and probably will not be, but don’t blame Meyer for playing and winning with lots of Zooks players. In closing I would like to say that Florida won the National Championship this past year, what did you win Terence?

zoo

z Terence you are so far off, please get a clue. Here is what happened. Meyer took Zooks players and added some of his recruits, caoched his fanny off, got some great breaks,won some really close games and then got hot in the last two games and blew out two prettty good football teams.

By G8trfan

February 15, 2007 08:46 AM | Link to this

Meyer has had the luxury to carefully pick and choose each of his coaching stops - he chose Florida because of the quality of Zook’s recruits he inherited along with the wealth of recruit talent in Florida. Meyer has also said that he believes that coaches MUST have success in 2 years - and the pieces must be in place for that happen.

Meyer would NEVER have taken the UF job had either party been in a position to consider it.

Foley knew our number one need was to immediately stock the shelves with blue chip players as there had been huge recruiting holes created in SOS’s last couple of years… huge trouble was looming for 2003.

He gambled on Zook knowing he would get the bodies and hoped he would grow into the job. Zook had enormous obstacles at every turn - convincing SOS’s senior players to buy in (many didn’t), convincing fans to give him a chance to get the players (they didn’t) and his own inexperience as being a head coach.

SOS and Meyer both benefitted from following GREAT recruiters and inherited loaded locker rooms - a major key to early success for transitioning coaches.

Meyer brings a lot to the table and is very bright, energetic, young and will be a coaching star for many years. SOS is a gameday genius but not as strong in people skills. Zook has great people skills but needs to prove he can coach on gameday and win. In the next few years we will see once he has the horses.

By GeorgiaIllini

February 15, 2007 09:03 AM | Link to this

We in Illiniland:

1) Resent to “traditionally awful” remark. Maybe you missed the 2001 season, when we won the Big Ten and went to the Sugar Bowl. And there is a lot more before that. Recently awful, however, we could not dispute.

2) Love Zook’s recruiting, but think the jury is still out on his coaching ability (see e.g. his decisions to go for 2 twice against Indiana). We’re optimistic about the future, but still need to be convinced.

By roy g biv

February 15, 2007 09:54 AM | Link to this

When you are right, you are right. It is next to impossible to replace a legend, even one like Steve Superior. If Meyer had replaced him, maybe he’d be hated now like Zook is. Stop drinking the Haterade, people.

By brewerfaninATL

February 15, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Hey GeorgiaIllini,

One good season does not a tradition make. Besides, in that Sugar Bowl, didn’t you get clobbered by LSU? Alot more before that? Do tell, and MicronPC Bowls do not count! BTW, that’s the problem with Zook…he always comes up with lamebrain plays that ends up losing games he should win. I don’t see that changing, he is what he is!

By Atlanta Gator

February 15, 2007 02:34 PM | Link to this

“roy g biv”——That should read “especially one like Steve Superior.” LOL

Also, keep in mind that no one would have given Meyer a shot at the Florida job in 2002; he had just finished a respectable season as the first-year head coach at Bowling Green (mid-major MAC school). He still had three seasons to go before he fully crystalized his coaching philosophy and offensive scheme. It is possible that Meyer may have gotten beat up as badly as Zook did, but I still think that Meyer is a smarter and instinctually better game-day coach than Zook, and even Meyer’s younger self would have won several games that Zook lost because of coaching errors or clock-management issues. I also believe that a younger Meyer would not have had the same team discipline issues that Zook experienced at Florida.