Urban Meyer becomes highest-paid football coach in the SEC

Florida head coach Urban Meyer was already doing pretty well with a $3.25 million per year contract. Now he's doing even better after finalizing a six-year, $24 million contract earlier today. The deal makes Meyer the highest-paid coach in the SEC, edging out Alabama's Nick Saban by $100,000 for the honor, and the third highest-paid coach in college football. He trails only USC's Pete Carroll and Notre Dame's Charlie Weis in salary.

The new deal is actually an extension that now runs through 2014 and also features incentives that could pay him even more.

Sure it's a lot of cash, but Meyer is certainly worth it. In his four years as Florida's head coach the team is 44-9 and has won two National Championships. The Gators look like the favorite to win it all once again this year.

There has been a lot of talk about Meyer possibly bolting for Notre Dame if Charlie Weis is fired, but Florida seems to have assured themselves that won't happen. Jon Gruden's name has suddenly emerged as a potential candidate for the Fighting Irish coaching post.