Urbanator's decision not a surprise at all

I remember the first time I'd heard his name.

Bowling Green, my alma mater, had just hired a Notre Dame assistant as its new head football coach.

Urban Meyer?

His decision to step down after the upcoming Outback Bowl brought back memories.

Even if they're just 10 years old.

It was 2001 and in two seasons he made the Falcons winners again.

Meyer encored that success at Utah in 2003-04.

Then came Florida and, pardon the cliche, the rest is history.

Two national championships. Two SEC titles. A 64-15 record -- including this season's 7-5 lackluster finish -- in six seasons as Gator head coach.

Simply spectacular.

On the field, Meyer made Florida matter again.

Off the field? Thirty arrests belied the Urbanator's reputation as a disciplined coach who ran a tight ship.

I did not like how he handled the Chris Rainey situation, either.

It's just one of the things that defined Meyer's last season as Florida head coach.

Yet it should not define his remarkable run in Gainesville.

Surprised Meyer made this decision?

No.

In fact, when I heard it early Wednesday afternoon on the radio, I wasn't shocked at all.

After a 24-hour stress-related retirement last season, a tumultuous year like this was bound to make the intense Meyer regret going back on that original decision.

He'll be back on the sidelines somewhere sometime, but not soon.

Urban Meyer's 10-year ride as an NCAA D-1 head football coach was meteoric.

And all meteors burn out eventually.