Urban Meyer Staying Put

Since taking his first head coaching job at Bowling Green in 2001 Urban Meyer has been climbing the salary ladder.  Meyer signed his first contract with the Florida Gators in 2005 for seven years worth $14 million. Just recently he signed a new six-year $24 million contract with possibly increases.  This makes him the highest paid coach in the SEC for 2009 and the third highest paid coach in the country.  Meyer has done something many great coaches have not, and that’s winning two national titles in his first 8 years as a head coach.

In the early part of his career Meyer spent 13 years as an assistant at 3 different schools before signing with Bowling Green.  His first year there he engineered one of the best turnarounds in the NCAA going 8-3 overall and capped off with a 56-21 victory over their rivals, the University of Toledo Rockets.  In 2003 he took a job at Utah and shocked them all with a 10-2 record, a first for any new Utah coach.  He proceeded to lead Utah to their first perfect season since 1930 in 2004 and then beat Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl.

If Meyer decided to leave for any school his buyout would still be $500,000.  Florida has made it clear they want coaches who want to be at the university.  Despite Meyer admitting on a radio talk show last year that Notre Dame was his “dream job”, he has stated that he is appreciative of what the university and community has done for him and his family.  Since Meyer’s arrival in 2005 the Florida athletic department has contributed $17.3 million to the university. Meyers himself has also made a $1 million commitment to Florida Opportunity Scholars Program. It is a program that provides financial assistance to first generation, financially troubles students who are trying to earn their bachelors degree.

The university just recently made $42 million in budget cuts and layoffs of nine faculty members and 49 staff members.  The University Athletic Association funds the school’s athletic department, including Meyer’s salary.