Urban Meyer shrugs off criticism from rivals
GAINESVILLE — In Randy Shannon’s eyes, the field goal Florida coach Urban Meyer kicked against his Hurricanes with less than a minute to play two weeks ago showed “what type of person you really are.”
But Meyer can recall another field goal, one more critical than the one at the end of Florida’s 26-3 win over Miami, that he says indicates the kind of coach he is and the kind of program he runs.
With the Gators ahead by a touchdown in the second quarter of the 2007 national championship game against Ohio State, Meyer sent out senior Chris Hetland for a 43-yard attempt. Critics had called for Meyer to replace Hetland, who had made just four of 13 field goals and hadn’t hit one longer than 33 yards that season.
Instead, Meyer stuck with Hetland, who made that kick and another of 40 yards in Florida’s 41-14 win.
“He graduated, and he hit his last three field goals as a University of Florida Gator,” Meyer said. “That’s our program.”
palmbeachpost.com
9/20/08
Magnolia Tribune
