NEW ORLEANS (WVLT) -- Less than 24 hours after he resigned, Florida coach Urban Meyer is instead taking an indefinite leave of absence and opening the door for a return to the Gators.

Meyer announced the decision Sunday at a press conference in New Orleans.

"During this past week, I was offered and encouraged to consider taking a leave of absence," Meyer said. "After careful consideration and spending time at practice with the players I care so deeply about, I decided to accept this offer.

"I care so deeply about each individual. When I saw them out there today after our meeting we had last night, it was an offer that was encouraged by the people I'm closest with -- some family, my closest friends, Jeremy Foley. We've had a heck of a run, a run that I'm very proud of. To not try would not be the right thing to do."

What caused Meyer to change his mind, less than 24 hours after announcing his resignation?

"It was our players," Meyer said. "To see them come out this morning with a great attitude and work ethic and just go to work, I admire that.

"My family comes first, and that's never been an issue. My second family are my players and my staff. [This morning's practice] was the moment. I went immediately to Jeremy and we had some discussions after that.

"I'm a person of faith and I wanted to make sure I had my priorities straight. When you put business before God and family, you've got a problem."

Florida athletiic director Jeremy Foley discussed his offer to Meyer of a leave of absence.

"Our primary concern here is Coach Meyer and his health and getting himself fixed," Foley said. "He's going to have an opportunity to do that. I think it's the right thing to do for the institution and the right thing to do with Coach Meyer.

"He was stunned by the way our coaches and our players went out. They practiced so well and so hard, he picked up the phone and called me. A lot of people over the past week or ten days have been concerned about Urban and we've all tried to get him to the point he's at today, and I think our players got him to that point."

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow talked about the team's reaction to Meyer's initial announcement that he was resigning.

"The last 24 hours has been a whirlwind dealing with everything," Tebow said. Dealing with that was hard on me and the players. Talking to him after practice, I knew that everything wasn't right and something was gonna happen.

"After practice we had a team meeting and he told us. A lot of the guys on the team were crying and upset, but for the most part, everybody wondered what was best for Coach Meyer. We just wanted what was best for our dad.

"I'm so proud of the season he chose to make. I don't think most coaches would have the guts to make that decision. As a team, we support him."