Coach of the Year: University of Florida Coach Urban Meyer

The college football season is just a few weeks in, but it is never too early to talk about Coach of the Year candidates. Each year, Liberty Mutual selects a Coach of the Year based on their team's performance on the field, as well as in the classroom. This year, my vote for Coach of the Year is University of Florida coach Urban Meyer.

Meyer has a proven track record, going 83-17 in eight years as a head coach. While at the University of Florida, Meyer has been remarkable. He has gone 44-9 in four years as coach of the Gators and has led them to two National Championships in the past three years. Meyer has also put an emphasis on academics during his tenure at the University of Florida. According to coachurbanmeyer.com, 43 percent of Gator football scholarship student-athletes earned above a 3.0 grade point average in the 2009 Spring Semester. Additionally, 107 players have earned Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll in the four years under Meyer. Coach Meyer has proven that he is one of the best coaches in the nation with his teams' performance on the field and in the classroom.

This year should be another great year for Urban Meyer. He is coaching the defending National Champions and is poised to make a run for his third BCS Championship. The Gators return most of the championship team from last year and have arguably the most talent in the country. Having a loaded team does not necessarily make Urban Meyer's job easier. Meyer has his work cut out for him trying to motivate a team that has already won it all to show up and perform its best each week. That is especially dangerous when you are playing in the toughest conference in college football. The Gators will be the biggest game for every team they play this year. Everyone wants to knock off the champion and will come ready to play the Gators. If Urban Meyer can keep his team focused and motivated throughout the season and make it back to the National Championship game, then he will have earned Coach of the Year honors.

Sources: www.coachurbanmeyer.com

www.coachoftheyear.com