Are the Gators rolling the dice with Muschamp?
Even when the regular season is over, it ain’t over. So what did we learn, and what do we still want to know?:
1. Are the Gators rolling the dice with Muschamp? Urban Meyer announced his “retirement” last Wednesday after six years as the head coach at Florida. In the next 48 hours everybody from Bob Stoops, to Jon Gruden (there is that name again), to Chris Peterson, to Dan Mullen to Chip Kelly was considered to be the front runner for one of the top five jobs in college football. Then suddenly, at 8:28 p.m. on Saturday (note the time) Florida announces that it had hired Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp as its next head coach. The press conference will be Tuesday. Some consider it a risk by athletics director Jeremy Foley, who got burned the last time he hired an assistant (Ron Zook). But those who know Muschamp know that he’s been groomed for this since he was a player at Georgia for Ray Goff. Muschamp has worked at LSU (for Nick Saban), at Auburn (for Tommy Tuberville), and Texas (for Mack Brown). He is ready.
2. Florida will win the SEC East in 2011: How ready is Muschamp? Well, here’s the first prediction for the 2011 season: Florida will win the SEC East championship. The problem at Florida last season was not talent. It was a lack of focus and a lack of leadership. The team was not focused because too many leaders had left and there was never a coherent offensive strategy. Muschamp can fix the leadership issue and if he hires a top-flight offensive coordinator the other problem can be fixed as well. Media reports say Muschamp is looking at Major Applewhite, an offensive assistant at Texas. My choice would be Dana Holgerson of Oklahoma State (who is in the running for the head coaching job at Pitt.)
3. I’m disappointed in the timing of Florida’s announcement: This is strictly an opinion, but I wish Florida had waited until after the Heisman Trophy presentation to announce its new coach. The official press release came just minutes before Auburn’s Cameron Newton was handed the hardware in New York. The announcement opens Florida up to charges that it was trying to step on the moment of a player from another SEC school. And with Newton’s background at Florida, which includes concerns that academic information about his time at the school was leaked to the media, it is something that simply should have been avoided. I was informed this morning by Florida officials that they had every intention of waiting until after the Heisman Trophy presentation but that once the news leaked out through the social media the school felt it had no choice but to release the information.
4. What does the hiring of Al Golden tell us about the Miami job? First of all, I think Golden is a great hire. Remember that it wasn’t long ago that Temple considered dropping football. The school basically got booted out of the Big East. Golden took over and he took the Owls to a bowl in 2009 and this season went 8-4 (which included a win over Fiesta Bowl bound UConn). But it also tells you that Miami’s job is not one where the school can go out and command the services of a Tier One proven head coach. Jon Gruden wasn’t coming. Neither was a successful head coach at the BCS level. Miami is a tough job because if you don’t win and win big, the people just don’t come. Again, I think Golden is a super coach. He has been named as a possible replacement for Joe Paterno at Penn State. He will win at Miami. I just think Mike Leach would have been a more inspired hire.
5. If he goes to Vandy, how will Gus Malzahn handle the BCS championship? It looks like Vanderbilt is Gus Malzhan’s job to turn down. So what does the Auburn offensive coordinator do if he accepts, which could happen as early as today (Monday)? I certainly believe he would coach Cameron Newton one last time in the BCS championship game with Oregon on Jan. 10. But I’ve seen other coordinators try to get ready for a BCS title game while attempting to build a staff and organize a program at another place. Mark Richt did it at Florida State after he took the Georgia job in 2000. Richt admits now that it was very difficult. The only person I have seen pull it off really well was Bo Pelini, who was the LSU defensive coordinator for the 2007 BCS championship game while organizing his new program at Nebraska.
Stay tuned.
Please follow me on Twitter:
“Barnhart and Durham:” We will break down all of the coaching news on today’s “Barnhart and Durham Show” on 790 The Zone. Among our guests will be UConn coach (and former Georgia Tech assistant) Randy Edsall, who is headed to the Fiesta Bowl. Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun will bring us the latest on Will Muschamp at Florida. Craig Barnes, a former reporter for the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, will bring us reaction to the hiring of Al Golden at Miami. Please join the fun which starts at 10 a.m. www.790thezone.com.
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697 comments Add your comment
hater
December 13th, 2010
12:55 pm
dawgfan the gaytors will continue against U G A Y. I think you predicted that the last 4 years dumbazz.
Bad Timing: Coincedence??
December 13th, 2010
12:55 pm
Just goes to show you the lack of class Jeremy Foley has displayed down there in Gainsville. Still bitter about losing Cam to Aubie. Urban the crier will never live it down….
Scott
December 13th, 2010
12:57 pm
I initially thought the timing of the announcement of the Muschamp hire and the Heisman trophy presentation was purely coincidental. If Florida did indeed time it with the Heisman then I congratulate them. Well done and Roll Tide!
King Gator
December 13th, 2010
12:57 pm
2 National Championships in 6 years – What does Urban have to live down? PWNED!
Sanford Drive
December 13th, 2010
12:57 pm
I agree dawgfan. UGA will win next year against the jorts. Dooley is still building and Visor Boy was lucky this year. Floriduh will be rebuilding for a couple of years. That gives UGA at least two years to right the rivalry and get our recruits in. It’s a great day to be a Georgia Bulldawg baby! Go Dawgs!
SEC_Analyst
December 13th, 2010
12:58 pm
@MURPHY
I’ve only heard those “mistress” rumors on blogs. Doesn’t mean they aren’t true, but I’ve been taking them with a grain of salt.
Beast from the East
December 13th, 2010
12:59 pm
Who cares when the announcement was made? Did anyone stop the presentation and ask Cam to go back to his seat so they could introduce the new Gator Head Coach? You guys crack me up!
Atlanta Gator
December 13th, 2010
12:59 pm
King Gator—-I think that was intended as satire. You know, like something a “typical” Dawg fan might say?
Saint Simons wierd friend
December 13th, 2010
1:00 pm
Kept on health rolls at UF cause he left 20 million on table, good trade off for UF
trust me its not health related, you guys can believe it all you want.
Rip Van Winkle
December 13th, 2010
1:00 pm
Sanford Drive, Humpers are delusional as usual and are in a 31 year nap.
King Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:00 pm
Florida does not rebuild .. they reload.. the Dawgs might get us every once in a while, but if they couldn’t win this year.. then when?? Go Gators .. continue to crush the Pups!
dawgfan
December 13th, 2010
1:00 pm
Queen Gaytor,
Just cause you got a lousy head coach is no reason to be rude. UGA wins the SECE, count on it. write it down. put it in stone.
Class dismissed.
Beast from the East
December 13th, 2010
1:00 pm
Sanford Drive,
I agree that UF will be rebuliding, but coming off of a 6-6 season, what do you think UGA will be doing?
Atlanta Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:01 pm
SEC_Analyst & MURPHY—-When do you think Urban Meyer had time for a mistress? I think that was probably a violation of the “best efforts” clause of his contract.
Urban Meyer Is A Spineless Weenie
December 13th, 2010
1:02 pm
Is Urban Meyer Behind Newton Story?
by Jay Coulter on Nov 5, 2010 5:29 PM CDT in Football
67 comments Email Print.
More photos » Brad McClenny – AP .
Auburn Undercover.com senior editor Phillip Marshall is reporting this afternoon that Florida coach Urban Meyer is the person responsible for the Cam Newton pay-for-play story being leaked to the press over the past few days.
In the story, Marshall talks of a three-way phone conversation between Meyer, Miss State coach Dan Mullen and former Bulldog quarterback John Bond, who made news yesterday in a story for ESPN.com.
According to Marshall, Bond is quoted as saying that he and Mullen agreed that the Newton matter was closed after submitting all of their documentation to SEC Headquarters.
Meyer disagreed and told the two that he thought it needed to be reported to The New York Times and he was going to make the call. Pete Thamel, who wrote the Times piece is close friends with Meyer.
The story goes on to say that Bond agreed to be interviewed by ESPN.com only after it became apparent the story was going to break. Marshall writes that Bond “is distressed about the reaction, particularly the attacks on Newton’s character.”
Bond is quoted as saying, “(Meyer) is behind the whole thing.”
King Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:02 pm
Queen Gaytor,
Just cause you got a lousy head coach is no reason to be rude. UGA wins the SECE, count on it. write it down. put it in stone.
Class dismissed.
——
I’m sorry your stoned, not drunk ..my mistake. 18-3 v. Pups.. Go Gators!
Atlanta Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:02 pm
King Gator—-Yup. That’s definitely satire. No real Dawg fan is actually that delusional.
King Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:03 pm
Bond is trustworthy?? Why would Urban care, he ran Cam off the team.
Sanford Drive
December 13th, 2010
1:03 pm
Ripped Your Winkie – next year is looking great with the SEC East traditonal powers in rebuild mode, including the awful gaytor nation. You’ll see what a new coaches and schemes will do. You think this year was bad, just wait until next year. UGA will smoke the gators!
UFrolls
December 13th, 2010
1:05 pm
WoW! Will sure has started a ton of chatter.Funny how he is such a terrible hire.Like another poster noted,If everyone is up in arms about it? The Gators must have made the right choice.
Atlanta Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:05 pm
Spineless Weenie—-Your reliable source is “Auburn Undercover?” And just how much traction has that breaking news story received from credible journalists in the last 37 days?
Good grief. Next, you will be quoting “Tiger Droppings” or some such thing.
Urban Meyer Is A Spineless Weenie
December 13th, 2010
1:06 pm
Interesting Read. Puts weenie-head’s latest “retirement” in perspective…..
Meyer disagreed and told the two that he thought it needed to be reported to The New York Times and he was going to make the call. Pete Thamel, who wrote the Times piece is close friends with Meyer.
The story goes on to say that Bond agreed to be interviewed by ESPN.com only after it became apparent the story was going to break. Marshall writes that Bond “is distressed about the reaction, particularly the attacks on Newton’s character.”
Bond is quoted as saying, “(Meyer) is behind the whole thing.”
http://www.trackemtigers.com/2010/11/5/1796417/is-urban-meyer-behind-newton-story
King Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:06 pm
Smoke the gators? based upon what? UGA’s new strength coach? Georgia couldn’t beat the worst FL team in the past 15 years this year. With AJ and Houston leaving for the NFL… how does this team get better??
superDawg
December 13th, 2010
1:06 pm
Looking forward to next year in JAX. Murray will be better and we have good red shirts on both sides of the ball. The gators will be recovering from a bad year with a new head coach and assistants next year. Things are looking up for the Dawgs. I’m not going to predict to be SEC East champions but I think we win next year in JAX.
Atlanta Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:07 pm
“Ripped you Winkie?” LOL
Not sure what it means, but it sure sounds funny.
Rip Van Winkle
December 13th, 2010
1:07 pm
Sanford Drive
You are one stupid dumbass overhaul wearing delusional dog. UGA has been in a rebuilding mode since 2005. You think this year was bad for jawja wait until next year. But please dont fire Richt we love him in the SEC East.
Rip Van Winkle
December 13th, 2010
1:08 pm
superDawg, sure just like they did Zooks first year.
SEC_Analyst
December 13th, 2010
1:08 pm
@Atlanta Gator
I never said I believed the rumors. That said, not being a Gator fan, I wouldn’t dismiss the rumors out of hand. Sometimes rumors are just rumors — sometimes they are the first reporting of an actual story. I’ll be surprised if this one turns out to be anything more than a rumor. The whole issue of Urban Meyer’s decline since last year has to be one of the most bizarre stories in CFB. Florida shouldn’t have been quite as bad as they were this year. Looks like they reloaded with blanks.
Urban Meyer Is A Spineless Weenie
December 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
Are you denying the conversation took place Atlanta Gator? You saying that Coulter’s lying?
ga gator
December 13th, 2010
1:09 pm
Oh well, it seems like Muschamp is a mistake and UGA and Richt will continue their dominance.
BAMA dude
December 13th, 2010
1:10 pm
Somebody is quoting Track ‘em Tigers? It’s one thing to look at the SBNation sites for info about the team they cover but they don’t know anything about matters such as that. They only have access to the same info we do, and Jay Coulter is a bumbling idiot anyway.
ga gator
December 13th, 2010
1:11 pm
Urban Meyer Is A Spineless Weenie
where is the link? Personally I think that Meyer is a drama queen and I am glad he is gone.
Atlanta Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:11 pm
Actually, there’s an alternative story circulating that Meyer is the one who smoothed Cam Newton’s transfer out of Florida. Interesting. I guess anyone can have an anonymous source.
Urban Meyer Is A Spineless Weenie
December 13th, 2010
1:12 pm
Weenie-head kept pushing his buddy Thamel to run the story, even after Mullen said to drop it. Why would he do that, and what was his reasoning?
DIT
December 13th, 2010
1:12 pm
Is there anyone as tired as I am hearing about the Cam Newton? It’s over with. Let’s move on. Heck, I’m not sure if they timed the hiring announcement just brfore or not. What’s the big deal! I have to agree that if so, it was a pretty cleaver move on their parts. It won’t take away from Cam getting his award, but, as stated, it lets recruits know that they have a new coach!
Sanford Drive
December 13th, 2010
1:14 pm
Ripped you Winkie – and you’re a jort wearing, toothless, mullet. Can’t wait to post the score every day after you take your beating in JAX. We’ll have a year long celebration. Since Teblow left what has floriduh done? Right! You can shut your pie hole now. Enjoy your new coach. LMAO
Atlanta Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:14 pm
SEC_Analyst—-I was making a joke. I do that sometimes. Really.
King Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:15 pm
Who cares .. UGA is going to the Liberty Bowl to play Central Florida.. now that’s big news!
BAMA dude
December 13th, 2010
1:15 pm
Agreed, DIT. I’m sure the Heisman Trust is thrilled that most people felt that way about their award too. Most people had to be thinking, “Good. He got it, the speculation is over, get this story off my TV please.”
Urban Meyer Is A Spineless Weenie
December 13th, 2010
1:16 pm
Bama Dude why would Meyer push Thamel to run the story, even after Mullen said it was dead? Someone was seething with jealousy, it’s pretty obvious. Track em tigers is irrelevant. If you believe Bond about Cecil Newton, then why won’t you believe his account here? HE IS QUOTED DIRECTLY and the story hasn’t been retracted or discredited at all
gdawginkalamazoo
December 13th, 2010
1:16 pm
Atlanta Gator, I will only believe those rumors if they are reported on TMZ first. When reading anything that starts with “as reported on TMZ” I grab the salt shaker and have a few grains.
King Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:16 pm
What’s the “street value” of a signed Liberty Bowl jersey? Somebody text AJ and his psuedo-agent. I’d like to buy one for a friend who is a hapless Dawg fan.
Beast from the East
December 13th, 2010
1:18 pm
weenie,
What if Meyer (or anyone else) did leak the” pay for play” story? Does that make the story any less true? Cecil has admitted it to the NCAA.
ga gator
December 13th, 2010
1:19 pm
spineless
I hope you are not saying that when someone leaks a crime that they are wrong? Newton’s dad did wrong and a greedy preacher should be exposed just like anyone else that breaks the rules. Of course since Newton went to Auburn I guess the guy who reported the rule breaker is considered the bad guy.
how2fish
December 13th, 2010
1:19 pm
K-$ really never again? He darn near beat the East Champs with a QB and a new D that had never taken a SEC snap till that day…..and no A.J Green too.Troll on Bug.
Atlanta Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:19 pm
Sanford Drive—-Tim Tebow has been gone precisely one season. Tough to say where the Gators will be two, five or ten years from now. I mean Herschel left for the USFL in 1983, and UGA has never been the same, either, right? LOL
Steve Spurrier graduated in ‘67, Danny Wuerffel in ‘97, and Tim Tebow in ‘10. I think the Gators will be just fine, thank you. But thanks for your concern.
Urban Meyer Is A Spineless Weenie
December 13th, 2010
1:21 pm
I believe this is the real reason weenie-head quit. HE KNOWS that all tracks to the Cam smear campaign lead to Gainesville. Then they JUST so happen to coincide their new “hire” during the Heisman Trophy announcement? This stinks to high heaven…..
Atlanta Gator
December 13th, 2010
1:21 pm
gdawg~zoo—-Ah, words of wisdom from the German shepherd of the canine clan.
Beast from the East
December 13th, 2010
1:22 pm
weenie,
Are you wearing a tin-foil hat as you type?
BAMA dude
December 13th, 2010
1:22 pm
Urban Meyer Is A Spineless Weenie
December 13th, 2010
1:16 pm
Bama Dude why would Meyer push Thamel to run the story, even after Mullen said it was dead
Did you see the date on that article? November 5. I, along with others, have shared our opinions on the whole matter. Feel free to scroll back through Tony’s archives if you would like to know what we think. No need to discuss it any more.