Is the best college football coach in the country, Florida's Urban Meyer, going to soon make the jump to the NFL?
"It's only a matter of time," said one NFL general manager.
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| Urban Meyer doesn't look like he will be a college lifer like Bobby Bowden. (AP) |
If it already isn't covertly happening now.
If the right job opens up, I think Meyer is gone.
And the right job likely will come along. Very soon.
Several NFL sources said Meyer is among the top choices -- if not the choice -- for several NFL teams that will soon be looking for coaches.
So the choice will come down to lifestyle and adoration (near hero worship) in Gainesville vs. the challenge that is coaching in the big leagues and dealing with a more sophisticated and apathetic fan base.
Meyer of course will say he has no interest in the pros but we've heard coaches make all kinds of promises and guarantees five minutes before breaking them.
See: Saban, Nick.
See: Petrino, Bobby.
According to the Palm Beach Post, Meyer's contract allows him a limited window in which he is allowed contact with other teams. That window is basically now, the newspaper said, until the Gators' bowl game. So that means teams can basically talk to Meyer between now and Jan. 8 (or thereabouts).
But we also know that teams and coaches pay no attention to these types of formalities. Coaches use shadow agents and make covert deals all the time.
See: Saban, Nick.
See: Petrino, Bobby.
And some wealthy NFL owner will offer a dramatic raise over Meyer's current $3.2 million salary. Another might even offer Meyer total control or some version of it.
The only risk for Meyer is the NFL is the big boy league. I think Meyer has always been a more masterful program builder than strategic coach. He has overwhelmed opponents with sheer firepower.
Meyer also wouldn't have the blind devotion from players that he does at Florida. He would be dealing with spoiled professional athletes instead of blind followers.
But he would still be pretty good as an NFL coach. He would be the offensive equivalent of Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh.
Meyer could end up in any number of spots from St. Louis to Buffalo to Cleveland.
About the only thing that can keep Meyer in Gainesville at this point is witnessing the plights of other great college coaches who were personally disemboweled by the NFL.
See: Saban, Nick.
See: Petrino, Bobby.
Or get Steve Spurrier on the phone.
Yet Meyer is close friends with New England coach Bill Belichick and he has seen Belichick do great things in the sport.
"The thing that strikes me the most about coach Belichick is I think they're the most professional organization in all sports," Meyer said recently, speaking about the Patriots. "You don't hear about selfish, a lot of the selfish issues that are going on. The chemistry of the team, what he demands, the way they draft players, the way they keep players, it's the ultimate team concept."
In the end what will push Meyer to the NFL is an ego as vibrant as the fast-twitch muscles in Percy Harvin's legs.
A title game win will be seen by Meyer as accomplishing everything he can at Florida and the NFL will be viewed by him as territory to be conquered.
So goodbye Urban.
You've done a terrific job.
Have fun in Cleveland.
