SEC links and news for Friday:
GRUDEN TO BE A GATOR? – Adam West of the Gainesville Sun reports that Jon Gruden met with Florida officials on Thursday. But David Jones of Florida Today seems to think that Gruden is out of the race. The ex-Bucs coach says he likes what he’s doing on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. I like it, too.
MULLEN THE MAN? – Dan Mullen reiterates he’s happy at Mississippi State, reports Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger. In fact, Mullen said all the attention regarding the Florida and Miami jobs is a little annoying. And Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel says Florida should bypass the Mississippi State coach, writing, “He looks like he should be. He talks like he should be. He has the Urbanator bloodlines. And, yes, he has what Mississippi State athletic director Scott Stricklin calls the “it factor.” But there’s one thing he doesn’t have: A track record of success that should be a prerequisite for the Florida job.”
MORE MEYER FALLOUT – An old competitor, Phil Fulmer, says he admires Meyer’s courage to step down, reports Andrew Gribble of the Knoxville News-Sentinel. “”His family is important, his health is important,” said Fulmer, who was presented with The Knoxville Award by the Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service at the Convention Center on Thursday. “I think it’s just a huge statement that the pressure coaches nowadays are under. Good for him to have the courage to step down and do the things that are important to him.”
Meanwhile, Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post reports that Meyer will still be around to help at Florida.
The AJC’s Tony Barhart says that even if you are a Gator-hater, there’s no joy in Meyer’s departure. Plus, Matt Hinton of Yahoo Sports on the Gators that time will forget.
Continue reading ‘Gruden and Gators; Mullen’s plans; Newton news’
