The Rowdy Reptile fans of Florida athletics have had a lot to cheer about over the last 10 months. A national championship on the hardwood and now a national title on the gridiron.

The success all starts with leadership.

Let's give some credit to Florida's outstanding athletic director, Jeremy Foley. He put the package together to get Urban Meyer when Notre Dame was chasing him big-time to be their football coach. Foley listened to Rick Pitino, went to Marshall and brought in Billt Donovan to coach the hoop squad.

Foley provides the resources needed to give his coaches the opportunity to succeed. All a coach wants from an administrator is the best chance to win.

I think Florida's success in athletics is going to continue to grow. All of the great football players from the state of Florida will want to play in Gainesville. Winning breeds success and Meyer has proven himself at Bowling Green, Utah and now with the Gators. The style of play and his ability to communicate and motivate makes him an attractive coach to perform for.

I learned a lot about Meyer in the past. My son-in-law, Thomas Krug, played quarterback at Notre Dame and Meyer was one of the team's assistants. When Meyer was hired to run the Florida program, Thomas told me Florida had a real winner, citing his ability to inspire people.

Thomas Krug was right.

There is no stopping Meyer and the Florida program. The Gators have a lot of talent coming in next season to replace graduating players and others that may leave early for the draft.

Florida was hungry and most experts felt they had no chance against the powerful Buckeyes. The Gators read and heard that they had no shot and responded to the challenge. Just ask Texas about last year's championship game; the Longhorns were big underdogs against powerful USC, but that did not stop Vince Young and company.

There is so much to say about motivation and inspiration, playing with passion and pride. When you put talented guys together working hard and going in the same direction, they are capable of winning at any time.

When Ohio State scored on the opening kickoff, that appeared to be a deflating blow. Florida bounced back and scored on the next drive, and that was crucial. Then when the Gators took the lead, that appeared to take a lot of steam from the Buckeyes.

Florida's defense was sensational. The offense was efficient. The Gators played with so much emotion and passion and I felt Ohio State was taken back when Meyer's team took the lead.

This Florida squad was brilliant in every phase of the game. This team was so well prepared to play.

So Gator fans are celebrating in Gainesville. Donovan and company are legitimate contenders to keep the party going. Remember the importance of leadership and congratulate Mr. Foley on a job well done!

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.