However, once he saw the comparative packages offered by Florida versus ND, it came down to these factors:
Florida offered more money (not much of a factor)
Florida had a much better roster, stocked with NFL talent everywhere (big factor). ND's roster had very few workable bodies in those 2004 and 2005 classes. If it weren't for Charlie Weis' last second recruiting pitches that brought in several decent players, that 2005 class would have been just as bad, if not worse. I doubt Meyer would have liked to face that awful upcoming 2007 season, where at best, he would have had a 5 win season.
Florida would give him full control over the program. ND will never do this for anyone as long as the current Board of Trustees is in place.