Adams: Meyer sees no end to Florida's reign

MIAMI - Florida's reign as national champion was barely an hour old when coach Urban Meyer started pitching for another title.

"You'd have to be out of your friggin' mind not to want to play for the Gators," he said at the post-game press conference at Dolphin Stadium.

How's that for multi-tasking? Meyer can celebrate one national championship and recruit toward another one at the same time.

The next national title is more likely to come sooner than later. That says as much about Meyer as it does about the Gators.

He won one national championship with Ron Zook's recruits. He won another one Thursday night with his own recruits.

As good as Florida was in the 1990s, it's better now under Meyer. What does that tell you?

It tells you he's the best coach in college football. And it's not debatable.

Never mind all that Pete Carroll has accomplished at Southern California, or how quickly Nick Saban has revived Alabama football. How could you take anyone over Meyer?

He has won two national championships in his four seasons at Florida. Before Florida, he went 13-0 at Utah. And he won at Bowling Green before he won at Utah.

It's not just how much Meyer has won. It's how he has won.

He came to the SEC with the reputation of being an "offensive guy." But with the national championship on the line, his Gators have played dominant defense - first, against Ohio State two years ago; then again Thursday night in holding Oklahoma to 40 points below its 54-point per-game average.

He supposedly has a finesse offense. But the star of his offense is a power-running quarterback.

In fact, Meyer isn't about finesse or power, offense or defense. He's about winning.

And there's no end in sight.

So what if quarterback Tim Tebow, wide receiver Percy Harvin and linebacker Brandon Spikes all go pro early. Ten other starters will return on defense, and there are potential stars waiting in the wings.

"We could be very good next year," Meyer said at Friday morning's press conference.

Meyer wasn't so confident after his first national championship. When several juniors opted to go pro, he didn't have comparable players to move into their positions.

"I see a program that's set now," Meyer said. "I didn't feel that way two years ago. … Our recruiting base is solid.

"Two years ago, we had a two-year void in recruiting. It showed last year."

There's no void now. And there are more recruits on the way.

"We only have about four left," Meyer said of his next recruiting class. "We just want to make sure it's the right four.

"I've heard from several of them. This (national championship) will be a tremendous boost."

Just what the Gators need, huh? Another boost.

They have the best program in the best conference in college football. And the head of the program isn't angling for his next job, despite the great affection he has for Notre Dame.

Meyer knows you can't win at Notre Dame the way you can at Florida. He also knows you can't win in the NFL the way you can at Florida.

Florida's winning potential is what attracted Meyer. Now that the Gators are winning more than ever, why should he want to leave?

"I had a dream of what Florida should be like," he said. "It's real close. I love Florida."

With that comment, he wasn't just confirming his allegiance to the Gators. He was recruiting more Gators.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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