It’s been a topsy-turvy week for Florida coach Urban Meyer, who said he was resigning due to health concerns on Dec. 26 and then modified his resignation into a leave of absence the next day. We delve into some similar coaching flip-flops:
5. Bill Parcells » After winning the 1990 Super Bowl, Parcells retired from coaching. In 1992, itching to return to the sideline, he made a handshake agreement to coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … and then opted out at the last minute.
4. Wally Backman » The Arizona Diamondbacks hired Backman as their new manager on Nov. 1, 2004. His tenure lasted four days before Arizona fired him following revelations that he was arrested twice and struggled with financial problems. Background check, anyone?
3. Billy Donovan » After winning his second championship at Florida, Donovan made the jump to the NBA, signing a five-year contract with the Orlando Magic. He then said he was having second thoughts. Orlando released him from the deal after five days.
2. Bill Belichick » After Parcells retired for the second time, Belichick took over as head coach of the New York Jets. He resigned the next day, scrawling on a piece of paper: “I resign as HC of the NYJ,” and then jumping to the Patriots. What a class act.
1. George O’Leary » Only a dirtbag like O’Leary could keep Belichick out of the top spot. Hired in 2001 by Notre Dame, O’Leary was forced to resign without coaching a game after it was discovered that he falsified academic credentials on his resume.
