Florida football coach Urban Meyer met with the media at halftime of the Florida-South Carolina basketball game Saturday and said he plans to coach the Gators on the first day of spring practice.
"I'm going to have a series of tests in February to try to figure this thing out," Meyer said. "I have to take some time off. I've been instructed to by my bride and my boss. I have to change some things. That's obvious."
Asked if the tests would be for his heart or for stress, Meyer said, "yes and yes."
Meyer said he has cut way back on his travel during recruiting.
"They don't want me traveling," he said. "I did most of my traveling before the bowl game. I keep hearing about this time off. I tried it for a day and a half. That didn't work out."
Meyer said he plans an "in-depth meeting" with interim coach Steve Addazio once recruiting is over to figure out what Addazio's duties will be during the leave of absence.
Meyer said he has put on 20 pounds and now weighs 200 pounds.
"That's how I gauge this," he said of his recovery. "I'm exercising a lot now."
Meyer's comments were his first in public since the Sugar Bowl. He resigned as Florida's coach on the day before the Gators traveled to New Orleans before making an about face a day later.
"I feel great," he said.