Urban Meyer was once the most beloved man Florida, but is now just a distant memory for the Gator Nation as Will Muschamp is in charge and staking his claim. Meyer is now with Ohio State, attempting to bring the program back after a slew of violations, while creating some of his own. Those recruiting violation claims took center stage as Muschamp took to the mic at the 2013 SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala.
Muschamp made a sarcastic jab at Meyer and the Ohio State program, thanking them for turning Florida in for what is believed to be secondary recruiting violations. Muschamp told the media, "We appreciate our friends from Ohio making sure we follow NCAA rules. They certainly know a lot about NCAA rules."
Ohio State turned Florida in after Meyer joined the program as coach. The Gainesville Sun reported Ohio State turned in the Gators for a "bump"recruiting violation involving running backs coach Brian White and running Curtis Samuel. They said white contacted Samuel during the non-contact periods. As a result, Muschamp had to pull White away from recruiting for three days while the program was under investigation. Meyer has denied involvement.
"It is absolutely not true that I turned in the University of Florida," Meyer said. "Weeks after, I learned our compliance guy forwarded an article to the conference office. This is standard procedure. Once again, zero coach involvement. "
In the end, everyone was cleared of any wrong doing. Samuel has since eliminated the possibility of attending Florida, narrowing down his options to Ohio State, Miami or Alabama. ESPN.com reports Meyer knew about the article and endorsed the call to the conference offices.
While talking at Media Days, Muschamp could not avoid the Aaron Hernandez questions. The tight end currently under investigation for murder was a member of the Florida Gators. Hernandez was arrested last month for the murder of football player, Odin Lloyd.
It has also surfaced that Hernandez had multiple off-the-field issues at Florida. He is on record for having failed one drug test during his time at the university. He was also questioned for his connection in a fight at a local Gainesville bar and is the subject of an open homicide investigation by Gainesville police.
Muschamp said Hernandez's problems are a horrible tragedy. He noted that the situation is "something bigger than a Florida problem. We're talking about a life. It's a horrible situation."
