Urban Meyer is out at Florida, this time for good

Meyer resigned today after six years today.

Where does Florida go from here?

Possible candidates

Dan Mullen, HC Mississippi St. - Mullen seems to be a popular chioce in the immediate aftermath considering his role as the offensive coordinator under Meyer. Is he the best choice? Probably not. Florida is the best job in the country. The Gators can go after nearly anyone and will do their due diligence. Remember that while Meyer was the big hot coach at when he was hired at Florida, he came from Utah at a time when many Florida fans wanted the available Steve Spurrier to return as coach. All that is to say that while Mullen would be popular in Gainesville, he may not be the best guy for the job.

Charlie Strong, HC Louisville – A longer shot than Mullen. Strong was the former defensive coordinator at Florida and he has only one year of head coaching experience. Only a serious candidate if the Gators want someone connected to Meyer and Mullen doesn't take the job.

Bob Stoops, HC Oklahoma – The Gators have at least inquired about Stoops availability the last two times the job has opened. While I don't think he will move, the Gators will likely ask again.

Chip Kelly, HC Oregon – Here is the kind of off the radar hire that Meyer was. The problem is the timing here. Kelly won't be available until after the January 10 national championship game. Recruiting would suffer greatly.

Chris Petersen, HC Boise St. - Petersen might get a call. The question is whether he is willing to listen. If Petersen wants to win a national title, he jumps. If he wants to be Joe Paterno or Bobby Bowden, he stays at Boise St.

NFL Coaches – There are no NFL names likely to surface here. It just won't happen. AD Jeremy Foley is smart enough to know that most NFL coaches don't do real well in college football without any recent college coaching experience.

Brady Hoke, HC San Diego St. - Hoke has taken a similar path to Meyer. He is a Midwestern guy who cut his teeth rebuilding in the MAC. After that he headed out to the Mountain West in what was looked at as a lateral move and won. If Foley wants the same pedigree he got with Meyer in a young up and comer, he could do very well with Hoke.

What is next for Meyer?

A few years off and then I think a return to coaching when his kids are done with college. Four or five years from now, I could Meyer picking up and starting again, likely at a big national power. He original dream job at Notre Dame could open at about that time as could Ohio St. in his native Ohio. For now, Meyer will pursue other interests and, for that matter, it may not include broadcasting.