Urban Meyer might have one of the most complicated legacies a coach could have with a college fanbase. Meyer led Florida to two national titles, and for a flash in time, the Gators were one of the true kings of the sport.
But just as quickly as Meyer's star shone bright, it seemed to fade just as quickly in Gainesville.
Now that Meyer is set to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, Florida is bringing the legendary coach back on campus for a salute and is seemingly one step closer to writing a needed final chapter.
Urban Meyer to be at the Tennessee game
Florida announced today that Meyer will be honored on November 22 as part of the NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salutes. He will be honored on the field with a plaque in advance of being officially inducted on December 9.
While it may be a somewhat forced reunion, it is a needed one.
After winning the national title in 2008, Florida fell short in the SEC title game to Alabama in 2009 and missed a chance to play Texas in the national title game that year.
Since that loss, Florida has been chasing the ghosts that Meyer left behind.
Meyer lasted one more season before resigning for health reasons in 2010. One year later, he was back on the sidelines at Ohio State and led the Buckeyes to the 2014 national title.
Combined with the slew of off-the-field issues the Gators had, along with Meyer's blunt demeanor when juxtaposed to the jovial candor of Steve Spurrier, Meyer has just never been viewed as favorably by Gator Nation as one would expect a two-time national champion.
Meyer stepped down from Ohio State in 2018, and yet there hasn't been a significant amount of outward momentum to induct him into the Florida Ring of Honor, despite him meeting the criteria for it.
This appearance may be a test run to see how the fan base feels, or they plan to just outright surprise Meyer with an induction.
Either way, one can be annoyed with how it ended with Meyer while still appreciating the heights he took Florida to that the Gators are still trying to chase to this day.