Urban Meyer resigned from the Florida Gators head coaching position due to health issues, according to a statement released Saturday.

Urban Meyer, 45, saying he's going to ...focus on my health and family, according to ESPN.com. The resignation means he will end his career with the Gators after the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

Meyer has been one of the most successful coaches in modern college football, winning two of the past three national titles with the Gators.

“It’s a surprise to everybody, said Bob Thomas, the Florida State football sports information director in a statement.

I hope he’s OK physically because he’s done as great a job at the University of Florida as has been done there, or anywhere else. I admire the way he handles himself and I really like his family. The college coaching profession will really miss him.”

A Florida spokesman, Steve McClain, told the New York Times that Meyer did not have a life-threatening illness and that his decision was more about his lifestyle and his family.

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