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  • DeSantis appoints former UF football coach Urban Meyer to New College board

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    GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 22: Former Florida Gators Head Coach Urban Meyer is honored after being inducted into the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame during the first half of the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

    Former Florida Gators Head Coach Urban Meyer is honored after being inducted into the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame during the first half of the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida.


    James Gilbert

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    Bradenton

    Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed College Football Hall of Fame coach and sportscaster Urban Meyer to fill a seat on the New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees.

    The appointment is one of three that DeSantis announced in a press release on Tuesday. DeSantis also reappointed Mark Bauerlein and Debra Jenks, who currently serves as the board chair.

    Meyer’s appointment comes in the midst of New College expanding its athletics program, the Mighty Banyans. In 2023, the college joined the Sun Conference, adding six varsity sports with plans to add more. The college’s latest campus master plan includes ideas for a new gymnasium, baseball stadium, soccer stadium and softball stadium.

    Former UF coach appointed to New College board

    Meyer will replace Trustee Christopher Rufo, who decided not to continue for another term, according to a spokesperson for New College. Rufo helped lay the groundwork for a conservative takeover during a 2022 speech at Hillsdale College, the Tampa Bay Times previously reported.

    In a statement, the college said Rufo “helped guide a dramatic turnaround” of the liberal arts school over the past three years. Meyer, 61, will bring something different to the table, New College President Richard Corcoran said.

    “Urban Meyer brings a strategic mindset and national stature that will serve New College immeasurably,” Corcoran said in the release. “His lifetime of leadership, building teams, mentoring young people, teaching excellence and developing culture aligns perfectly with our academic mission.”

    The three appointments follow DeSantis’s trend of picking New College leaders and shaping the college’s expansion. DeSantis previously appointed several board members and the college’s President Richard Corcoran.

    Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed College Football Hall of Fame coach and sportscaster Urban Meyer to fill a seat on the New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees. A sign at the New College of Florida is pictured in this December 2025 Bradenton Herald file photo.
    Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed College Football Hall of Fame coach and sportscaster Urban Meyer to fill a seat on the New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees. A sign at the New College of Florida is pictured in this December 2025 Bradenton Herald file photo. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com

    Meyer has Sarasota connections, records say

    Now a college football analyst for FOX Sports, Meyer was the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars for one season in 2021. Meyer was fired before the end of the 2021 season amid several allegations including that he kicked a player.

    His time in the NFL came after 17 years as a head coach in college football, winning a national championship with the Ohio State University in 2014 and two championships with the University of Florida in 2006 and 2008. In December, Meyer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

    Meyer also owns a home in Sarasota and, according to business records, the Urban and Shelley Meyer Family Foundation, Inc. is based in Sarasota.

    Bauerlein, one of the reappointments, is the editor of First Things Magazine, and Jenks is an attorney. All three appointments will need to be confirmed by the Florida Senate at a later date.

    Former Bowling Green and Ohio State coach Urban Meyer waves to the crowd during the second quarter against the Lafayette Leopards at Doyt Perry Stadium on August 28, 2025 in Bowling Green, Ohio.
    BOWLING GREEN, OHIO – AUGUST 28: Former Bowling Green and Ohio State coach Urban Meyer waves to the crowd during the second quarter against the Lafayette Leopards at Doyt Perry Stadium on August 28, 2025 in Bowling Green, Ohio. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images) Isaiah Vazquez Getty Images

    Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed College Football Hall of Fame coach and sportscaster Urban Meyer to fill a seat on the New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees. Part of the New College of Florida campus is pictured in this December 2025 Bradenton Herald file photo.
    Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed College Football Hall of Fame coach and sportscaster Urban Meyer to fill a seat on the New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees. Part of the New College of Florida campus is pictured in this December 2025 Bradenton Herald file photo. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com

    This story was originally published January 2, 2026 at 2:46 PM.

    Carter Weinhofer

    Bradenton Herald

    Carter Weinhofer is the Bradenton Herald’s Accountability Reporter. He covers politics, development and other local issues. Carter’s work has received recognition from the Florida Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Florida Society of News Editors. He graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg.

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    Carter Weinhofer

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  • Florida announces major Urban Meyer news after denied coaching rumors

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    The 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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    More Football: Florida Suffers Major Setback in Pursuit of Lane Kiffin

    “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.

    More Football: LSU Coaching Drama Escalates as Brian Kelly’s Son Sends Bold Message

    “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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  • Urban Meyer doesn’t hold back about Indiana, Curt Cignetti

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    Urban Meyer was a great head coach during his days on the sidelines and he knows a lot about the college football world. Now, as an analyst, it’s clear that the Indiana Hoosiers and head coach Curt Cignetti have caught his attention.

    On Saturday, Indiana completed a dominant 56-6 win over the UCLA Bruins. With the win, the Hoosiers moved to 8-0 on the season.

    At this point in time, it sounds like Indiana is headed towards the Big Ten championship game. Assuming the Hoosiers do make it that far, they would likely go up against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

    Read more: LSU Fans Turn on Brian Kelly With Brutal Chant

    There is a lot of work left to do for Cignetti and Indiana. However, the team looks legitimate on both sides of the football.

    Prior to the Hoosiers’ latest win over UCLA, Meyer took some time to speak out with strong words about the program. He showered Indiana and Cignetti with praise.

    “This is one of the best coached teams I’ve seen in my career,” Meyer said.

    His words looked even smarter following the game. To this point in the season, the Hoosiers have not shown many weaknesses. Their statement win was on the road over the Oregon Ducks.

    Since taking over as the head coach in Indiana last season, Cignetti has led the Hoosiers to a 19-2 record. They have gone 13-1 in the Big Ten with their only loss coming last year against Ohio State.

    Recently, Indiana rewarded Cignetti for the success he has brought the football program. Amid rumors of other teams potentially trying to hire him away from the Hoosiers, they gave him an eight-year, $93 million contract to keep him around long-term. Cignetti could well finish his coaching career at Indiana.

    Read more: Texas’ Steve Sarkisian Erupts at Press Conference Over NFL Report

    While the hype has reached an all-time high, the Hoosiers are still far away from reaching their goal. Cignetti wants to win championships. Anything short of that will not be good enough.

    Indiana does look the part of a national championship contender. However, the Hoosiers will need to beat some elite teams on their way towards that goal. It will be interesting to see what they’re able to do throughout the rest of the regular season and into the College Football Playoff.

    For more Indiana Hoosiers news and more on college football, head to Newsweek Sports.

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  • UF Gators head coach Billy Napier fired

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    Editor’s Note: UF athletic director, interim head football coach to hold news conference at noon on Monday. Watch live in the player above. Original story: Billy Napier preached patience when he was hired in Gainesville. Less than four full seasons later, with a record of 22-23, he’s out of a job. Napier managed just one winning season in four tries at Florida, an 8-5 campaign in 2024. After a 3-4 start to 2025, he has been shown the door.Napier’s tenure marks the worst stretch of football at Florida since the 1940s.Florida is off this week before the Gators head to Jacksonville to meet Georgia in a rivalry showdown on Nov. 1. It will be the fifth top-10 foe they’ve faced this season. UF said Billy Gonzalez, longtime Florida offensive coach, will serve as the interim head coach.UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said in a statement, “As Coach Napier has often said, this is a results-driven business, and while his influence was positive, it ultimately did not translate into the level of success we expect on the field.”Despite the team’s lack of success on the field, the players still have nothing but respect for their former head coach.”I’m extremely grateful for Coach Napier and everything he’s done for me and my family,” said sophomore quarterback D.J. Lagway. “I’m thankful, you know, to be able to play for him.”Since Steve Spurrier’s legendary run in the 1990s, only Urban Meyer has made it through four full seasons as Florida’s head football coach. Meyer retired after six seasons at Florida, citing health issues. UF will have to pay Napier roughly $21 million for his buyout agreement with half of the amount due in the next 30 days. “Never going to make everybody happy,” Napier said. “You get these leadership positions and you’re in charge, these are the things that come with it.”

    GAINESVILLE, Fla. —

    Editor’s Note: UF athletic director, interim head football coach to hold news conference at noon on Monday. Watch live in the player above.

    Original story:

    Billy Napier preached patience when he was hired in Gainesville. Less than four full seasons later, with a record of 22-23, he’s out of a job.

    Napier managed just one winning season in four tries at Florida, an 8-5 campaign in 2024. After a 3-4 start to 2025, he has been shown the door.

    Napier’s tenure marks the worst stretch of football at Florida since the 1940s.

    Florida is off this week before the Gators head to Jacksonville to meet Georgia in a rivalry showdown on Nov. 1. It will be the fifth top-10 foe they’ve faced this season.

    UF said Billy Gonzalez, longtime Florida offensive coach, will serve as the interim head coach.

    UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said in a statement, “As Coach Napier has often said, this is a results-driven business, and while his influence was positive, it ultimately did not translate into the level of success we expect on the field.”

    Despite the team’s lack of success on the field, the players still have nothing but respect for their former head coach.

    “I’m extremely grateful for Coach Napier and everything he’s done for me and my family,” said sophomore quarterback D.J. Lagway. “I’m thankful, you know, to be able to play for him.”

    Since Steve Spurrier’s legendary run in the 1990s, only Urban Meyer has made it through four full seasons as Florida’s head football coach. Meyer retired after six seasons at Florida, citing health issues.

    UF will have to pay Napier roughly $21 million for his buyout agreement with half of the amount due in the next 30 days.

    “Never going to make everybody happy,” Napier said. “You get these leadership positions and you’re in charge, these are the things that come with it.”

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  • CSU Rams football coach short list: Who could replace Jay Norvell?

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    Since Canvas Stadium opened, the CSU Rams football program has tried the SEC route. It’s tried The Urban Meyer Family Tree. It’s tried a safe, steady hand with Mountain West bona fides. None of those paths have led to a consistent conference championship contender whose results have matched the ambitions of CSU’s $220 million football home.

    So with Jay Norvell out, where does Rams AD John Weber turn now? Here are nine candidates CSU should have on his short list:

    Tony Alford, Michigan running backs coach/run game coordinator: If it’s about family, nobody bleeds green the way Alford, who played running back at CSU from 1987-90, still does. At 56, he’s been looking for a chance to put a stamp on a program of his own.

    Matt Lubick, Kansas co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach: Speaking of keeping it in the family, the son of CSU icon Sonny Lubick remains a fan favorite at age 53. Time to come home?

    Jay Hill, BYU defensive coordinator/associate head coach: Not young (50), but we already know what his Cougars can do (and have done) to CU. Bonus: Has head coaching experience, posting a 68-39 record as the top man at Weber State from 2014-22.

    Jason Candle, Toledo: Matt Campbell’s successor was supposed to find his Iowa State a while ago, having produced four seasons of at least nine wins with the Rockets since 2017. He’s still there. Although, as he’s got a contract through 2028, so he probably won’t come super-cheap.

    Collin Klein, Texas A&M offensive coordinator: At 36, the former Loveland High star and Heisman Trophy finalist is a rising star and a good guy, to boot. If Rams fans want to “lock the gates” for local recruits, this could be the guy.

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    Sean Keeler

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  • Ex-CSU Rams coach Steve Addazio joins ESPN as analyst

    Ex-CSU Rams coach Steve Addazio joins ESPN as analyst

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    The Daz is joining the Disney family.

    Former CSU Rams football coach Steve Addazio, whose Fort Collins tenure was short and tempestuous, is transitioning to television. ESPN announced that Addazio has joined the network as a college football analyst and will start calling games later this month.

    Addazio posted a 4-12 record at CSU from 2020-21 and had a 61-67 career record as a head coach with the Rams, Boston College (2013-19) and Temple (2011-12). He was fired at CSU in December 2021, a few days after completing a 3-9 season and after being ejected from a 52-10 home loss to Nevada, then coached by Jay Norvell.

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    Sean Keeler

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