Florida over Notre Dame?

Remember this? You do if you're a Utah football fan.

It was October. The Utes were hot, and rumors were already circulating about Urban Meyer's departure. Florida had not yet fired Ron Zook, but the case was mounting. Meyer was asked if he would be interested in the Florida job. To which Meyer replied: "First of all, I love it here.

"But I'm second fiddle. My family is No. 1, and they love it here. As long as we're filling the stadium, as long as we're continuing to grow as a program and as long as I feel these student-athletes are getting the best opportunity to be a top 25 program — which I think it is — I'm going to be the coach here."

That was then and this is now: Florida has outbid Notre Dame to make Meyer its football coach. All that's left is the part where he puts on a ball cap that says "Gators" and holds a press conference.

The question was never whether he was gone; it was which direction.

Which makes all the difference as far as Meyer's credibility is concerned.

In taking the Florida job, Meyer proved again that all is fair in love, war and coaching searches. Had he taken the Notre Dame job, he might have left with warm wishes from Utah and its fans. As it is, he only proved the old axiom that everyone's house is for sale.

This isn't a bitter diatribe from a spurned city. Everyone knew Meyer would leave, if not this year then next. You can't keep a youthful, successful coach at a non-BCS school for long. Remember when Roots berets were the rage during the 2002 Olympics? That's Meyer — everybody wishes they had one.

Leaving Utah wasn't just about money, it was about opportunity. Yes, Utah is playing in a BCS bowl this year. But it's the difference between being a member of an exclusive club and being a guest.

Florida is one of the 10 best jobs in the nation. At a reported $2.4 million annual salary, he will be perhaps the highest paid college coach in America. The chance to recruit in talent-rich Florida and play in the Southeastern Conference makes it a fantastic job.

But leaving Utah isn't the problem; it's where he's going. He said he would stay if the fans kept coming; Utah set a single-season attendance record. He said he'd stay if Utah had the opportunity to be a top 25 team; it's ranked No. 5 in the AP poll. He said he'd remain if the program were still growing. Check, check and double-check.

When he left Bowling Green, Meyer at first said he was staying, then reversed field. Now this.