There was no crying or gnashing of teeth when Urban Meyer told the Utes he was moving to Florida.
"Everything's cool. There were no farewells today," said senior captain Morgan Scalley. "Farewells will come later. Right now, we're focusing on winning a bowl game."
Prior to Utah's final practice before today's Bowl Championship Series Selection Show (3 p.m., KTVX, Ch. 4), Meyer let his team know that media reports were true — he accepted an offer to leave the Utes and become head coach of the Gators.
A press conference is scheduled for Tuesday in Gainesville, Fla.
Meyer, who'll reportedly earn $14 million over seven years, said it was a family decision to leave Utah after two seasons. A variety of other factors, including obvious financial considerations, led to his decision.
Florida, he explained, initiated contact the day after Utah's 52-21 win over BYU on Nov. 20. Meyer said the courtship was nearly complete when Notre Dame entered the picture earlier this week after the surprise firing of Tyrone Willingham.
"This was not Florida versus Notre Dame because if it was I can't tell you what the answer would be," said Meyer. "This is something that was done. It was 95 percent along."
Though Meyer met with Notre Dame officials, a contract was never offered. Coaching the Irish, he insists, is still his dream job.
"It was hard to tell my father and pray to my (late) mom as well. That was everybody's dream, and I'm not saying that's done," said Meyer. "I'm 40 years old and at this moment it was not the right thing to do for my family."
Meyer and his wife, Shelley, are the parents of three children — Nicole (13), Gigi (11) and Nathan (5).
"There was no intention to hurt a great university including this university," said Meyer. "This was a family decision."
Utah, he added, did everything possible to keep him. The decision to leave was "not a slam dunk."
The Utes are 21-2 under Meyer and have won 15 consecutive games. After going 11-0 in 2004 and moving into position for an automatic BCS berth, they're expecting an invitation to the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., on Jan. 1.
And Meyer wants to be there — as Utah's head coach.
Team captains cleared the way Friday night with athletic director Chris Hill.
"I met with the team leaders, and they all want Urban to coach in the bowl game," said Hill. "Their opinions carry a lot of weight with me, and I approved their request."
So, too, did Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, who expressed excitement about his new hire. Meyer plans to meet with the Gators on Tuesday. He'll wish them luck in the Peach Bowl against Miami (Fla.), talk to them about behavior and promise to see them again in January.
"He said this doesn't change a thing," said Utah sophomore safety Eric Weddle. "We're still going to try and get our 12th win."
The impending bowl game, noted senior Sione Pouha, has eased the sting of losing their coach. Bo Nagahi, who is also a team captain, is grateful Meyer will remain on the sidelines.
"He started the season with us, and he'll end the season with us," he said. "We couldn't have done it without him."
Meyer isn't so sure. He considers this year's Utes the best practicing team he's ever been around. As such, the Home Depot National Coach of the Year is predicting more success.
"It will continue," said Meyer, who is confident the coaching change won't wipe out what he expects will be one of the program's finest recruiting classes.
"Every kid thinks he's going to UCLA and USC right now. So you let them figure out they're not, and you go recruit them," said Meyer. "That's where our best players were in January."
It's an issue, though, that should be dealt with soon by putting a coach in place.
"I understand Urban's decision and appreciate what he has done in his time here. We have a great program at Utah and our plans are for that to continue," said Hill. "President (Michael) Young and I will start the search process immediately for a new coach. We want to move quickly, but not so fast that we don't do a thorough job."
Coordinators Mike Sanford and Kyle Whittingham are considered prime candidates, but both are also being pursued by UNLV and BYU, respectively.
"I won't be sharing much about the search," said Hill. "But I can tell you we will take a strong look internally."
As such, Meyer is unsure who'll be available to join him in Florida. Whoever does will enter an environment that differs greatly from Utah. With a vast amount of talent and depth, the Gators are in position to contend for a national championship on an annual basis. The talent-rich state gives proximity to recruiting and could lead to more family time at home.
It's one reason Meyer took the job.
On the downside, though, it requires another move — his family's third in five years.
"I'm hoping this is it. I'm not a big fan of moving trucks and all those things," said Meyer. "I'm not a big fan of trying to change a whole philosophy on discipline and accountability and the way you live your life, but that's probably the most important thing we do in this program.
"I looked into all those things and (Florida) is not a place that's in disarray," he added.
It's a situation Meyer would like to see in his rearview mirror as well. That, he told reporters, would provide peace of mind.
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com