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"Members of the ‘Gator Nation' are going to burn the midnight oil turning these pages because Buddy Martin will be boldly taking them where no Florida fan has gone before." --Tony Barnhart, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/CBS

To write the Urban Meyer story, Buddy Martin enjoyed a vantage point rarely afforded authors in constructing the authorized biography of the University of Florida's high-profile coach. Martin takes the reader where no other journalist has gone before as he reports the most intimate details about one of the nation's top college football programs and its coach.

During the show-and-tell story of the 2007 Gator season, Martin listened on the headsets in the coaching booth, monitored Meyer's locker room speeches, conducted in-depth interviews with assistant coaches and support personnel, ran on Florida Field with the team prior to the Gators game against Tennessee, and gave Tim Tebow his first Heisman Trophy quiz while having dinner together just weeks before he was named as the winner.

Urban's Way, however, is much more than a look at the 2007 season. Martin dug deep into Meyer's background, from his growing-up days in Ashtabula, Ohio, under the strict guidance of his father; to his tumultuous days as a young assistant when he almost quit the profession; to the dynamics of his close relationship with mentors Earle Bruce and Lou Holtz; to the ultimate prize as coach of the 2006 national champion Florida Gators. Readers learn how Meyer was encouraged by his father and his wife, Shelley, to keep going; how his career took off at Notre Dame and then as a head coach at Bowling Green and Utah; how the Falcons came together after their historic "Black Wednesday"; and the impressive manner in which he championed diversity among players in Salt Lake City. Florida fans will be surprised to discover how close Meyer came to choosing the Notre Dame job over the one in Gainesville, despite his yearnings as a small boy to someday coach the Fighting Irish. Through his intense research--and talks with Urban himself--Buddy Martin provides an amazingly detailed look into how a football coach is made.

This is not simply the authorized biography of one of college football's top coaches; Buddy Martin also gives fans the inside scoop on the 2006 National Championship. In the chapter "The Joy of Winning It All," players and coaches share their stories of that championship season that produced the middle leg of the "Gator Slam," leading to the good life on the so-called Cul de Sac of Champions, which Urban shares with Gators basketball coach Billy Donovan.

It is rare that fans get inside the head of a top coach, but here full disclosure is offered about Urban's personal faith, his Plan to Win, and the inner workings of the Spread offense. Readers are also treated to Meyer's own breakdown of the national championship tape, including his Six Key Plays of the game.

Buddy Martin shines a bright light on Urban Meyer, the Florida Gators, and one of the top programs in the country. This is a must-have for Florida Gator football fans and one of the most insightful books ever written on college football.

About the Author

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Buddy Martin is a Florida-born-and-raised journalist who has won more than 150 awards during his journalism career. His columns appear regularly in OcalaStyle, Charlotte Sun, on GatorCountry.com and his website, buddymartin.org. In 1992, Buddy received an Emmy as an associate producer of The NFL Today show, where he helped tutor Terry Bradshaw in his first studio role. He is a product of the University of Florida Journalism School. He is also the former sports editor of Florida Today, The St. Petersburg Times, New York Daily News and Denver Post.  He is also a long-time radio talk show host and commentator in Colorado and in Florida. He is the author of Urban's Way. He lives in Punta Gorda, Florida.

Praise For…

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“I know no one better than Buddy Martin to deconstruct the inner workings of the current ‘It' Coach.” —Jack McCallum, Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated

“Members of the ‘Gator Nation' are going to burn the midnight oil turning these pages.” —Tony Barnhart, Atlanta Journal-Constitution/CBS

“Everyone knows Urban Meyer is a great coach...In Urban's Way, he reveals why he is successful in every facet of his life.” —Lou Holtz, ESPN

“Few journalists gain such access and fewer still are Martin's equal...” —Dave Kindred, author of Sound and Fury

“Martin, a longtime chronicler of the UF program, does fine research and...reveals the coach's 'Plan to Win.'” —Tampa Tribune

“Florida football fans wanting an inside look at the Gators' program will be appeased with Urban's Way...The book by UF graduate and longtime sports writer Buddy Martin contains compelling tidbits.” —Florida Times-Union