GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With a whistle around his neck and a smile on his face, Florida coach Urban Meyer returned to practice Wednesday following a leave of absence that turned out to be shorter than everyone expected.
His stay could be longer than anticipated, too.
Although Meyer declined to divulge any details about his health, he said his return was permanent.
“I feel fine and I feel good,” Meyer said following a rain-soaked practice that lasted nearly three hours.
His brief break came as a result of chest pains, a hospital stay and brief resignation. He had planned to step away after Florida’s bowl game in early January, but he stuck around to hire four assistant coaches and lock up the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class.
He was supposed to return for spring practice, which began Wednesday, but his first day back actually came two weeks ago.
Nonetheless, he eased into things Wednesday and was considerably less involved in several aspects of team drills.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “Usually I’m more involved in kicking game and a little more involved in the offense. I will get back involved. I think spring time I’m usually like this. I like to let the guys coach and let everybody do their job and see what we’ve got. We’ve got four new coaches, and I want to see them go.”
Meyer also has a new starting quarterback (John Brantley) and several other new starters.
Football
Related Photos
-
Florida coach Urban Meyer, right, listens to quarterback John Brantley during spring football practice in Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday. Associated Press
Meyer returns to Florida practice
- Football
-
-
Steelers QB settles lawsuit alleging '08 rape
Lawyers for Ben Roethlisberger and a woman who accused him of raping her at a Lake Tahoe hotel-casino in 2008 have reached a settlement that ends her civil lawsuit against the Steelers quarterback.
-
Ravens’ Rice seeks new playoff memory to cherish
Ray Rice has played in eight postseason games, none more memorable than the one in which he ran for 159 yards to help the Baltimore Ravens beat the New England Patriots.
-
Petersburg loses a wild one, 29-27
PETERSBURG, W.Va. — Andrew Truax and Loguen McKee scored touchdowns in a 45-second span of the fourth quarter to help Berkeley Springs pull out a 29-27 win over Petersburg Friday night.
-
Raiders take Pryor with 3rd-round pick
The Oakland Raiders used a third-round pick Monday in the NFL’s supplemental draft to select former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
-
Redskins QBs will duel until 'right before’ opener
“Rex vs. Becks” will go down to the wire.
-
O’Brien eager to build upon first-year success
Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien made quite a first impression on new coach Randy Edsall over the winter.
-
Grossman stirs things up in Redskins QB battle
Rex Grossman created quite the stir last week, and all he did was exude some confidence.
-
Steelers' Pouncey makes quick rise to line leader
With all the injuries, position battles and chaos of shuffling players around the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line, the team considers itself fortunate to have a stable Pro Bowl anchor in the middle.
-
Steelers sign Woodley to 6-year deal
LaMarr Woodley didn’t groan when the Pittsburgh Steelers slapped him with a franchise tag.
-
Holgorsen era begins
- More Football Headlines
-
