ORLANDO, Fla. -- A source confirmed to Local 6 sports director David Pingalore on Saturday that Florida head coach Urban Meyer, who is resigning, suffered a heart attack during the season.

University of Florida athletics director Jeremy Foley announced on Saturday that Meyer would resign after the Gators' game against Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day.

According to Pingalore's source, Meyer did not inform the team about the issue during the season.

Meyer's health came into question following that Gators loss in the SEC title game against Alabama. He was admitted into a hospital in Gainesville the following morning for a reported case of dehydration, but Pingalore's source said Meyer suffered another heart issue.

Doctors recently informed Meyer that his health is at a major risk if he continues to coach.

In a statement released by the school, Meyer said:

"I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program. I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family."

The 45-year-old Meyer has guided the Gators for the last five seasons, compiling a 56-10 mark. That includes two BCS national titles, following the 2006 and 2008 seasons. The Gators won their first 12 games this season until losing to Alabama in the SEC championship game, which snapped a school-record 22-game winning streak.

"After consulting with my family, [UF President] Dr. [Bernie] Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family," Meyer said.

Tears were shed when Meyer informed his team about the decision, according to Pingalore's source.

"Coach Meyer and I have talked this through and I realize how hard this was for him to reach this decision," Foley said in a statement. "But, the bottom line is that Coach Meyer needed to make a choice that is in the best interest of his well being and his family. I certainly appreciate what he has meant to the University of Florida, our football program and the Gator Nation. I have never seen anyone more committed to his players, his family and his program. Above all, I appreciate our friendship."

Meyer, who took over for the embattled Ron Zook in December 2004, is a three-time national coach of the year. He took his first head coaching job at Bowling Green in 2001 and posted a record of 17-6 in two seasons with the Falcons before moving on to Utah, where he guided the Utes to a mark of 22-2 in two seasons.