From Deseret News archives:
Going, going . . .? Meyer's in huge demand — but he could stay at U.
No doubt Meyer is the hottest coaching candidate in college football and several big-time programs have their eyes on him.
Ever since the Florida job came open a month ago, the Ute coach has been asked by various media members about his plans for next year and his interest in certain jobs. Meyer's response is always "no comment" or — the best thing about 10-0 is the chance
When asked last week if he would ever say he was not interested in a particular job as some coaches do, Meyer said, "Not until I had a chance to research it."
In other words, Meyer wants to keep his options open and listen to offers. That doesn't mean he'll take any of them. Former Utah basketball coach Rick Majerus "listened" throughout his career here, and he lasted 15 years at Utah.
Meyer isn't concerned that reports of other schools being interested in him will be a distraction to its team in its quest for perfection. He's done a superb job so far of keeping his team focused all year, and when asked recently if all the speculation is a distraction to his team, Meyer said flatly and simply, "No."
There are many reasons why Meyer might look serious at another job at the end of the season and perhaps move on.
MONEY: This may not be the main reason to leave, but wouldn't most people change jobs within their profession if it meant tripling their salary to $1.5 million per year? Those are the kind of figures that have been thrown around in connection with open jobs such as Florida and Washington.
The average fan can't understand why anyone couldn't live off a half million a year. But looking at it from the standpoint of a 40-year-old coach like Meyer, a long contract at $1.5 million per year, could set him up for life and allow him to retire in 10 years like he's talked about.
PRESTIGE: As much as Meyer and his family like living in Utah, let's face it, the University of Utah isn't on the same level of college football as a couple of dozen other programs around the country. Anyone who's been to a game in the South, such as LSU, Georgia or Tennessee or the Midwest, such as Ohio State, Michigan or Notre Dame, knows there's something different about the atmosphere. Not to mention twice as many fans in the stands.
Sure Utah's a great place, Rice-Eccles Stadium is beautiful, and the fans can get the place rocking. But it will take Utah a long time to reach the level of college football's storied programs.
