By Matt AudiletShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Florida Gators are searching for their next head football coach following the dismissal of Billy Napier earlier this season.
Soon after the program fired Napier, several big college football names emerged as potential candidates to take over in Gainesville: including legendary former Florida coach Urban Meyer.
Meyer led the Gators for six seasons from 2005-10, winning national championships in 2006 and 2008.
Meyer responded to the swirling rumors about his potential interest in returning to Gainesville last week, shutting them down completely.
"That ship has sailed," Meyer said on 'The Triple Option' podcast. "And I want that program to do well so bad. I know so many people there. Gave a big part of our life to that program, but that ship has sailed."
While Meyer won't be back as head coach for the Florida program, his presence will be immortalized at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
During the first half of Saturday's loss to the Tennessee Volunteers, the school announced Meyer as the seventh inductee into the Florida Ring of Honor — joining program legends Wilber Marshall, Emmitt Smith, Steve Spurrier, Tim Tebow, Danny Wuerffel and Jack Youngblood.
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“I am truly honored and humbled to be selected for the Florida Football Ring of Honor,” Meyer said after the announcement."
“My time at Florida holds so many special memories for me and my family. Everything we accomplished was the result of an extraordinary coaching staff who recruited exceptional players and were supported every day by the University, the Athletic Department, and the entire Gator Nation. I want to thank Dr. Bernie Machen and Jeremy Foley for bringing us to Gainesville and for embracing our family and our staff from the very beginning. There is nothing like game day in The Swamp—the energy of 90,000 fans behind you, pushing and willing you to victory.
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“The championships were certainly special, but the bonds forged with our players, staff, and countless members of Gator Nation will last a lifetime. I am grateful to have been part of Florida’s storied football tradition, and I want to thank Gator Nation for the passion and pride you continue to bring to this program. This recognition means more to me and my family than words can express. Go Gators.”
Florida is currently locked in a bidding war for the top coaching option in this year's carousel: Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. Ole Miss, LSU and Florida are all reportedly prepared to offer Kiffin a contract worth more than $90 million.
Under interim head coach Billy Gonzales, Florida will close out its 2025 regular-season schedule with a matchup against the Florida State Seminoles next Saturday.
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