Meyer Says Irish Were Too Late

Coaching Notre Dame is still Urban Meyer’s dream job. It just isn’t the one he’s taking.

Meyer said Saturday the professional and financial opportunity presented to him by Florida was too good to pass up. And by the time Notre Dame called, Meyer already knew he was heading for the Swamp, not the Golden Dome.

“This was a family decision that was made prior to the other situation,” Meyer said Saturday after the fifth-ranked Utes practiced.

Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said Saturday in Gainesville, Fla., that Meyer’s contract was for seven years and $14 million.

Meyer said he met with Notre Dame Athletic Director Kevin White on Thursday night after White and the school’s new president flew to Salt Lake City. But Meyer said the meeting was out of respect for the school where he spent five seasons as an assistant.

“I heard people say it was your dream job. It still is,” Meyer said. “It just happens I have three children and a situation that was well into effect before that one was even on the radar.”

Also Saturday, Detroit Lion Coach Steve Mariucci said he had been contacted by Notre Dame but had decided to stay with Detroit.

“I am absolutely 100 percent committed to the Detroit Lions,” Mariucci said in a statement.