So much for retirement – Urban Meyer joins ESPN

Well that didn’t take long. Urban Meyer stepped down December 8, 2010 as the head coach of Florida football after six seasons.

But now he is getting back into the profession from a different angle, a television analyst. Meyer will join ESPN as a college football game and studio analyst. He will make his debut Wednesday as a studio analyst during ESPNU’s coverage of football national signing day.

Meyer proclaimed at his resignation that, “At this time in my life, however, I fully grasp the sacrifices my 24/7 profession has demanded of me, and I know it is time to put my focus on my family and life away from the field. The decision to step down was a difficult one.”

But now making a comeback in a different capacity. I’m skeptical.

Wasn’t the reason he stepped down to spend more time with his family, most specifically his three kids: Nicole, Gisela, and Nathan. His oldest daughter Nicole is a volleyball player at Georgia Tech. As a sophomore, she has at least two more years of eligibility yet Meyer will continue to miss most of her matches.

I know from experience, volleyball plays almost all of their matches over the weekend, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Thus I call Meyer’s bluff. So much for making your family a priority.

Now with ESPN, Meyer will work a weekly game, provide studio analysis, and cover the NFL Draft, spring games and bowl games. Find me some time for Meyer to catch his kids in action.

“Football has played an extremely important role in my life for the past 25 years and ESPN has given me an incredible opportunity to join its world-class team and share my passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the game with fans across the country,” said Meyer.

I agree it’s a fantastic opportunity. As Dan Dakich says, “I’ve never lost a game as an analyst. I’ve got the best job in the world.” But at what point do you need focus on your family and life at home. Meyer needs to take a hiatus rather than being a hypocrite.

This deal with ESPN allows Meyer to continue his passion of college football without the stress of recruiting, media and game plans. This proves his decision may have been less about family time and ultimately about the pressures and time constraints as a head coach at a prominent university.