Urban Meyer joins Florida’s Ring of Honor

Florida will induct former coach Urban Meyer into the Gators Football Ring of Honor at the end of the first quarter Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Meyer will become the seventh person recognized with signage around the top of The Swamp.

He joins Steve Spurrier, Jack Youngblood, Wilbur Marshall, Emmitt Smith, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow. Meyer is the first addition since Tebow was inducted in 2018.

Meyer went 65-15 across six seasons at Florida, with national championships in 2006 and 2008 and two SEC Championship Game victories. His teams produced three 13-win seasons, and the Gators went 16-2 against Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State during his tenure.

Florida returned to the national championship stage quickly under Meyer, beating Ohio State for the title in his second season. The Gators won another championship in his fourth season. After a 12-0 regular season in 2009, Florida lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. Meyer’s Florida tenure ended with a victory over Penn State in the Outback Bowl following the 2010 season.

His impact also reached beyond the record book. Meyer created the Gator Walk and helped build the original Heavener Center attached to the stadium. The tradition of singing the “Orange & Blue” fight song after home games also began under Meyer.

First-year Florida coach Jon Sumrall has spoken extensively with Meyer about the job. Athletic director Scott Stricklin contacted Meyer while researching Sumrall during the coaching search. Sumrall later invited Meyer to address Florida’s staff and lead a meeting about the program’s expectations and standards.

Meyer, now a FOX Big Noon Kickoff host and analyst, entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025. He completed 17 seasons as a head coach with a 187-32 record. His .853 winning percentage trails only Hall of Famers Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy at the FBS level.

Why it matters

Meyer restored Florida to national championship status and finished 65-15 with two national titles and two SEC Championship Game victories. His induction recognizes both that run and the traditions he established around the program.

What to watch next

Florida will unveil Meyer’s Ring of Honor signage at the end of the first quarter Saturday night. Meyer also has a reunion scheduled with some of his former Florida assistants this weekend.