Urban Meyer Admits Covering Up Health Details to Protect Family

NEW ORLEANS -- Florida coach Urban Meyer said Thursday he didn't disclose that his wife called 911 on Dec. 6 when he complained of chest pains because he "didn't want it to get out at all."

Earlier in the week, Meyer initially said he checked himself into a Gainesville, Fla., hospital for dehydration and then only later admitted he also had chest pains. The 911 call from Meyer's wife at 4:28 AM on Dec. 6 told a completely different story.

"I think when you're dealing with family members, I have three children that mean more to me than anything," Meyer said Thursday. "I have a football team that means more to me than anything and to -- I didn't want it to get out at all.

"And then we were very careful. I didn't want anyone alarmed. And I think at some point, whether you're a football coach, whether you're a lawyer or whatever, you think at some point there would be a lot of respect for families involved and children and 11-year old boys and 16-year old girls and 19-year old girls that -- do what you have to do to protect them.

"If that means not coming clean with full details about something very personal, if you can't understand that, then first of all, I think you've got to recheck yourself. And then second of all, I think at some point you certainly will understand that."

Because of Meyer's health condition, which led to his sudden resignation/un-resignation last weekend and his wife's 911 call, the main topic on New Year's Eve wasn't Cover 2 defenses but Meyer's cover-up defense.

During Meyer's 30-minute news conference with the media inside the New Orleans Convention Center Marriott, four of the first seven questions were about Meyer's health, the 911 call or his sudden resignation that has since turned into a leave of absence.

Meyer would only address the 911 call and said the other health matters were off limits.

"I think there will be an appropriate time to address some of those situations," Meyer said. "Today would not be the day. ... The focus is on doing the best job we possibly can to go win that game. And at the appropriate time I know we'll get some questions about that.

"But I'm not – it would be really inappropriate to have any other discussion other than our football team, our football players and trying to go win a tough game."

The only problem is that Meyer brought this attention - and all this scrutiny upon himself - by announcing the day after Christmas he was resigning for health reasons to spend more time with his family.

"I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family," Meyer said Saturday.

But less than 24 hours later, Meyer said he noticed how his players came out to Sunday's practice "with a great attitude and great work ethic." So he said that caused him to change his mind and just take a leave of absence.

When word of Meyer's change of heart was first reported by the New York Times, the Orlando Sentinel texted Shelley Meyer for her reaction at 11 a.m. Sunday. She said there was "no chance" her husband would change his mind and return to coaching. "This is the best decision for him and us right now," Shelley told the Sentinel.

Ironically, Meyer's family, who mattered the most to him, was among the last to know that Urban Meyer had un-retired and they learned that after Sunday's practice on the flight from Gainesville, Fla., to New Orleans.

For the past three days, Meyer and Cincinnati interim coach Jeff Quinn were not available to the media making Thursday's news conference Meyer's first opportunity to clear the air or clarify exactly what had transpired in the past week. Yet, Meyer opted to avoid the subject.

After the media's fourth question about Meyer's health, the Sugar Bowl's press conference moderator told the media "at this point we'll respect Coach Meyer's wishes and stay away from health and concentrate on football questions."

The 45-year old Meyer, who happens to be a Cincinnati graduate, then spoke glowingly about Cincinnati's program. He also mentioned how much he respects the Bearcats, how impressed he is in the way the Bearcats' program has grown through the years and the great strides the school has made in recent years.

Meyer also touched on Tim Tebow's NFL future – "There's no doubt in my mind that he can play quarterback in the NFL. ... I'm hoping he gets to the right place" – and how he used to ride a tram back and forth in Salt Lake City selling tickets as Utah's coach.

Ultimately, though, the questions came back to Meyer and his uncertain future.

Near the end of the news conference, Meyer was asked how have things been for him emotionally and if he's been more introspective toward this game because of the past week.

"That's a good question," Meyer said. "I'm probably not going to give you an answer that you want.

"I love my players. I'm not ashamed to say that. I love Florida. And I want to win this game in the worst possible way. Not for myself, not for our staff, not for [interim coach] Steve [Addazio], not for whomever, but for our players. And so has there been a little bit of a good push? I think there's been a good push."

Contact FanHouse reporter Brett McMurphy at brettmcmurphy@gmail.com