Billy Gonzales looking forward to message from Urban Meyer before Florida hosts Tennessee

The tales of Urban Meyer preparing his old Florida teams for big rivalry games were legendary. Putting opposing team logos on the urinal cakes in the bathroom stalls was a regular occurrence back then.

Anything and everything to motivate a team to play just a little harder in a key game. Well, the Gators have two such games coming up to close out the season.

At 3-7 on the year and with bowl eligibility a bust, there isn’t much more than pride to play for. But that can matter a whole lot, and Urban Meyer would be the first to tell you as much. Interim coach Billy Gonzales plans to use his connections there.

“I haven’t talked to coach for a couple weeks,” Gonzales said. “I know we texted last week back and forth. But I’ll reach out to him. I’m not sure what day he’s coming up. And obviously that’ll be something we talk to him as a staff.”

Gonzales has already picked Urban Meyer’s brain for advice more than once since he took over as interim head coach about a month ago. Meyer was one of his very first calls. Meyer described the call as Gonzales barely speaking, humbled by the opportunity to lead a college football powerhouse.

It’s temporary, of course, and Florida has gone 0-3 since Gonzales took over. But perhaps that’s where Urban Meyer can step in ahead of rivalry games against Tennessee and Florida State to close the season.

“I think any time you get a great mind, a great coach, a great motivator and have an opportunity to speak to a team, I think that’s obviously something that you look forward to,” Gonzales said.

What might Urban Meyer say to spark the Florida team? That remains to be seen. But he certainly has a way of motivating young men, something evidenced by the fact that he won three national titles in his heyday.

Florida won’t be competing for titles down the stretch. But it will be playing for respect, and this year’s group wants to close things strong, led by Gonzales. And maybe a touch of Meyer.