It didn’t take long for Urban Meyer to get back into college football.
After resigning from his job as Florida’s coach on Dec. 8, Meyer was officially introduced Monday by ESPN as a college football game and studio analyst.
As part of the deal, the former coach will work a weekly regular-season game and offer studio analysis. Meyer will also take part in ESPN’s College GameDay program every Saturday morning, while still keeping a position at UF.
“I’m going to work directly with Jeremy (Foley) on the foundation and help in that aspect,“ he said. “It hasn’t been finalized yet. And it will have no impact on what I do on ESPN.”
Meyer will begin his new job on television Wednesday as a studio analyst for the network’s National Signing Day special on ESPNU.
“[My family is] fired up,” Meyer said. “They are excited. And I’m still going to be able to spend as much time as I would have hoped.”
Meyer expects his new job will only require him to be away from home on Fridays and Saturdays during the season.
But it may require him to offer his opinions on the Gators.
ESPN Executive Vice President Norby Williamson insists the network is not against the idea of selecting Meyer to work UF or Southeastern Conference games. Williamson compared the potentially awkward situation to ESPN college football analyst Lou Holtz commenting on Notre Dame.
“There is going to be no sort of moratorium or let’s not talk Florida” Williamson said. “Somebody is stepping onto that program with an unbelievable insight and access to the inner workings of not only Florida, but the SEC. It’s our goal to utilize that.”
Meyer agreed with Williamson but admitted to having a lack of objectivity when it comes to the Gators.
“I’m a Florida fan,” Meyer said. “And I’m not going to be ashamed of that.”
