Later, Gator! Award-winner Meyer takes Florida job

There was no crying or gnashing of teeth when Urban Meyer told the Utes he was moving to Florida.

"Everything's cool. There were no farewells today," said senior captain Morgan Scalley. "Farewells will come later. Right now, we're focusing on winning a bowl game."

Prior to Utah's final practice before today's Bowl Championship Series Selection Show (3 p.m., KTVX, Ch. 4), Meyer let his team know that media reports were true — he accepted an offer to leave the Utes and become head coach of the Gators.

A press conference is scheduled for Tuesday in Gainesville, Fla.

Meyer, who'll reportedly earn $14 million over seven years, said it was a family decision to leave Utah after two seasons. A variety of other factors, including obvious financial considerations, led to his decision.

Florida, he explained, initiated contact the day after Utah's 52-21 win over BYU on Nov. 20. Meyer said the courtship was nearly complete when Notre Dame entered the picture earlier this week after the surprise firing of Tyrone Willingham.

"This was not Florida versus Notre Dame because if it was I can't tell you what the answer would be," said Meyer. "This is something that was done. It was 95 percent along."

Though Meyer met with Notre Dame officials, a contract was never offered. Coaching the Irish, he insists, is still his dream job.

"It was hard to tell my father and pray to my (late) mom as well. That was everybody's dream, and I'm not saying that's done," said Meyer. "I'm 40 years old and at this moment it was not the right thing to do for my family."

Meyer and his wife, Shelley, are the parents of three children — Nicole (13), Gigi (11) and Nathan (5).

"There was no intention to hurt a great university including this university," said Meyer. "This was a family decision."

Utah, he added, did everything possible to keep him. The decision to leave was "not a slam dunk."

The Utes are 21-2 under Meyer and have won 15 consecutive games. After going 11-0 in 2004 and moving into position for an automatic BCS berth, they're expecting an invitation to the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., on Jan. 1.

And Meyer wants to be there — as Utah's head coach.

Team captains cleared the way Friday night with athletic director Chris Hill.