Running off at the typewriter. …
Welcome back home, Urban Meyer.
Welcome back to Gator Nation.
Welcome back into the University of Florida family.
As someone who has been one of Meyer’s biggest critics, let me just say this:
It’s about time.
In a decision that rubbed some Urban haters the wrong way, Florida’s administration has clearly decided that Meyer belongs back in the program’s orbit — and it’s no longer being done quietly or awkwardly.
Back in November, Meyer was celebrated at a UF football game to honor his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. Next year, his name will be added to the Ring of Honor — the most sacred piece of real estate in the stadium. And if there were any lingering doubts about where Meyer now stands, they vanished when he sat beside Florida’s greatest living legend, Steve Spurrier, at new head coach Jon Sumrall’s introductory news conference and recorded a glowing video endorsing Sumrall’s hire.
No cryptic distancing.
No half-hearted olive branches.
A full embrace.
The Urbanator is unmistakably back in UF’s good graces.
And the Gators are better for it.
Let’s be honest: college football has always been built on complicated men who sometimes leave scorched earth behind them. Meyer’s legacy is a paradox — undeniable greatness intertwined with uncomfortable controversy. For all the turbulence he oversaw, he also orchestrated one of the most dominant stretches in modern college football. Championships are forever, and Florida’s trophy cases don’t come with asterisks.
Still, it’s impossible to ignore how fractured the relationship became. Despite leading the Gators to two national championships, Meyer became persona non grata after abruptly leaving the program and resurfacing months later as Ohio State’s head coach. It certainly didn’t help that he won another national title at Ohio State while the Gators have been mired in mediocrity since he left. His résumé also includes behavior — at Florida, Ohio State and later with the Jacksonville Jaguars — that raises serious moral and ethical questions.
Those realities don’t disappear just because time passes.
But this welcome-back moment isn’t about whitewashing history. It’s about maturity.
It’s an acknowledgment that a coach can be both transformational and flawed. That legacies can be revisited and rebranded with time and perspective. Programs grow up. Fan bases evolve. And, yes, forgiveness often follows.
More importantly, Meyer’s return says something meaningful about where Florida football is today.
It signals confidence and forward momentum.
Sumrall, whose Tulane team will play in the College Football Playoff this weekend, enters Gainesville with energy, credibility and the blessing of both Meyer and Spurrier. That matters. Not tactically. Not schematically. But symbolically.
Welcome back, Urban Meyer.
The circle has finally been closed.
UF’s past is at peace, and the future is now wide open. …
Short stuff: Our gratitude to Buddy Claus — aka Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer — for dressing up as Santa Claus earlier this week and helping our radio show raise nearly $10,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida. A great Claus for a great cause. Thanks, Mayor! … Liam Coen takes over as coach of my favorite team and suddenly underachieving quarterback Trevor Lawrence goes from Jags to riches. Coen has certainly earned consideration for Coach of the Year. … Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway has entered the transfer portal after an ultra-disappointing season in Gainesville. Question: Did Billy Napier ruin Lagway’s UF career or did Lagway ruin Billy Napier’s UF career? … Speaking of Napier, the fired Gators coach has been hired as the head coach at James Madison. And, so, let us remember what President James Madison himself once said, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Likewise, as Gator Nation will attest: “If coaches were geniuses, buyouts wouldn’t be either.” …
In honor of 44-year-old grandfather Phillip Rivers starting for the Indianapolis Colts last week, I’m just wondering if the pre-game meal was the early-bird special at Shoney’s. … Did you see where UCF football coach Scott Frost is suing Nebraska — his former employer and alma mater — over payments and tax liability he claims he never received? In related news, the Cornhuskers are considering countersuing Frost for five straight losing seasons and emotional distress. … In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t voted Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia No. 1 on my Heisman ballot. His rude “F— the voters” response on social media after Indiana’s classy QB Fernando Mendoza won the award showed the difference between winning games and representing the sport. Apparently, sportsmanship is the one stat Pavia forgot to pad. … The Lake Mary High School state championship victory over Vero Beach on the Hail Mary catch-and-lateral Saturday night was amazing, but it happened because Vero’s coaching staff thought they could run out the clock by kneeling on the ball three times and then inexplicably taking a safety. After Vero left 8 seconds on the clock, Lake Mary turned a mistake into a miracle. Translation: Lake Mary made history and Vero Beach failed elementary math. …
I’m glad that the Kansas City Chiefs announced that Patrick Mahomes underwent successful surgery to repair the torn ACL in his left knee, but I do have one question: Has a team ever announced that one of its players underwent “unsuccessful surgery”? … Speaking of medical issues, the Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero was injured earlier this season and now Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs are hurt, too. Considering the Magic’s history of injuries, I’m thinking the team doctor should be the next inductee into the franchise’s Hall of Fame! … Rest in peace, Rob Reiner. Back in the 1970s, you were the funny, fearless foil to Archie Bunker’s bigotry. … Mikey likes: Oklahoma over Alabama by 3, Miami over Texas A&M by 5, Ole Miss over Tulane by 14, Oregon over James Madison by 24, Bucs over Panthers by 4, Bengals over Dolphins by 3, Jaguars over Broncos by 1, Christmas shopping over my credit card by a blowout.
Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on social media @BianchiWrites and listen to my new radio show “Game On” every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen