Will Muschamp comes back to Georgia — as a Gator
Will Muschamp may have barked as a Bulldog but he's all Gator now as the Florida coach.
A young, pretty girl sitting near the front of the room had a question for the Florida coach.
“Coach, I’m getting married soon and he’s a Georgia fan and …”
“That’s not my fault,” Will Muschamp said, playing to the crowd.
“My wedding is on the same day as the Florida-Georgia game,” she continued. “I was wondering: Can you guarantee Florida will win?”
Muschamp, the native of Rome, a long-time Georgia resident and former Bulldogs safety, smiled.
“I certainly can,” he said (and then he turned in my direction and alerted the crowd that this pronouncement almost certainly would be used in the local newspaper).
This should end any lingering debate about whether Will Muschamp has divided loyalties.
The annual meeting of the Atlanta Gator Club was held Thursday night. Atlantic Station was crawling with reptiles. More than 360 Florida fans crammed into a hotel ballroom, the largest turnout in years, to greet their new leader.
Muschamp was in Georgia, but the Atlanta Gator Club would protect him.
This was the safe room for Muschamp. But outside the walls, he’s same guy who was branded “traitor” or “Benedict Arnold” by some hard-line Bulldogs fans who believe once you’ve worn the “G” on your helmet, any career movement – especially to the mother of SEC rivals – is borderline sacrilegious. (Or over the border.)
“I’m loyal to who signs my checks,” Muschamp said earlier. “All of that other stuff, I don’t get into. In our
You might've thought you were lost walking in Atlantic Station.
profession you’re loyal to the people you work for. I’ll do the best job I can for the Gator nation.”
Go easy, folks. The man’s gotta earn a living, you know.
It may have been a shock in Athens when Muschamp, the official coach-in-waiting at Texas for Mack Brown and a possible unofficial coach-in-waiting for Georgia, was tabbed as Urban Meyer’s replacement at Florida.
But it shouldn’t have been. Yes, he lived in Rome up until age 5, and then he returned before his ninth-grade year. But during that period in between, orange blood ran through blue veins. He walked to Gators games as a kid. He watched Wilber Marshall. Even when he went to high school in Rome, he was a Florida fan.
Fact is, Muschamp might never have stepped foot on the Georgia campus if he hadn’t broken his leg while playing in high school.
“All of the big schools backed off,” he said.
His choices: Enroll at West Point or try to walk-on at Florida or Georgia.
“My dad was a school teacher,” he said. “The [cost of] in-state education was a factor.”
So if he didn’t break his leg or his father was a surgeon, he would’ve attended Florida?
“Hah — I’d rather not play what-if,” he said.
Muschamp waited 15 years for a head coaching job. So far, he wears it well.
The fact he was one of the nation’s best defensive coaches at Texas, LSU and Auburn doesn’t guarantee success. Even he acknowledges that he’s in a honeymoon period with Gators fans. (“Everybody has been great. But we haven’t played a game yet.”).
But if he doesn’t succeed, it won’t be for a lack of confidence. He brought in Charlie Weis to run his offense. Most new head coaches would balk at such a move, believing the former Notre Dame coach and New England and Kansas City offensive coordinator might be scheming behind his back for the top job.
“I have confidence in myself. I want the people I hire to have tremendous confidence in themselves,” he said.
Last month, Muschamp kicked his best player, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, off the team after his third arrest (and second in three months for marijuana). It was a stunning move at a program that had its share of legal issues between SEC and BCS championships under Meyer.
“I didn’t look at it as sending a message early,” Muschamp said. “I look at everything as an isolated situation. Each player will have to [act] right.”
He has learning the hard way of the demands of being a head coach and fielding endless advice from fans (“My email works, I can tell you that.”). But this feels like Utopia.
After the questions, he planned on flying back to Austin, Texas. His family hasn’t moved yet and his 5-year-old is graduating from kindergarten Friday. Then it will be back to Gainesville.
“As coaches, we move around so much,” he said. “Home is where the house is.”
That’s not in Georgia anymore.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend meat Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
477 comments Add your comment
JB
May 20th, 2011
9:16 am
Beast, good stuff. I do think our defense will surprise this year. 5 or 6 new starters who look like a big improvement. Transfer at LB Jarvis Jones from Southern Cal who got on the field there as a true freshman, who did nothing but live in the weight room this last year he sat out, looks like a beast. I think we will be much improved. Offense, who knows.
Tech Tard
May 20th, 2011
9:18 am
I’m starting to think that this pretty thang in the front that is getting married was completely a set-up.
Beast from the East
May 20th, 2011
9:18 am
Dawg Gone,
By the way, I’m not predicting any miracles this season. I’ve said it many times, I expect UF and UGA to be about 8-4 this year with SC winning the East. The UF/UGA game is a toss-up in my opinion. Just having some talking “crap”. I have to get on a series of conference calls, so you guys have fun reminding us that our HC has never won a game, we all wear jorts, sport mullets while smoking weed and use dead girls’ credit cards.
Go Gators!
PS. Congrats on the big win over Vandy yesterday.
Where's Lester Maddox When You Need Him?
May 20th, 2011
9:18 am
What did you expect him to say? This is about as newsworthy as yesterday’s edition when one of Purdue’s moonbats said Sunday package sales would lead to an increase in DUI’s. The AJC can do better.
Joey
May 20th, 2011
9:18 am
I hope Richt revives the program, but I doubt he can. If the worse case scenario happens, and we go 6-6 again, but the D is improved, I hope Grantham gets the job.
I bet he could get a NFL genius to come and get the offense up to speed, and I’d wouldn’t mind see him stomping around on the sideline, cussing, and knocking over water coolers.
But, maybe it won’t come to that.
Come on Richt!
Study!
kevin
May 20th, 2011
9:18 am
It’s a bummer losing the Gators year after year, but things could be worse. I could be a Gator fan.
Tyrone Young
May 20th, 2011
9:19 am
Doesn’t Georgia have a decided advantage in the overall record between the schools? Wouldn’t know it from reading this board.
DawginLex
May 20th, 2011
9:20 am
Beast,
don’t forget the bet!!!!!!!!!!
BeastFromTheEastEatenByDawg
Beast from the East
May 20th, 2011
9:20 am
JB,
I think the UGA D will be much improved, too. Should be an interesting year for both of us.
Have a good one.
I’m out.
GATADAWG
May 20th, 2011
9:20 am
I hate to be a trash talker, but I’m calling BS. You chose UGA b/c of money??? If money was tight you wouldn’t have gotten in to KA Order. If any on here knows what KA is like, they aren’t exactly the type of fraternity to let in kids with tight incomes. I understand UF is paying you millions, and it is a sweet gig, so I would take it too if i had the chance, but don’t sit here and make up BS about UGA becuase you dman well know how amazing of an institution it is…GO DAWGS
Beast from the East
May 20th, 2011
9:21 am
DawginLex,
I won’t forget. Just make sure you don’t disappear after the Big Gator eats!!!
JB
May 20th, 2011
9:22 am
I will say one thing………..If Muschamp allows Dawgs to win this year, it will be ALL on him and he will be known as that Dumb Ex Georgia SOB coaching our team. They can hold next years Atlanta Gator function at any Waffle House. Check with Tech, that’s where their clubs meet.
JB
May 20th, 2011
9:22 am
Grantham WILL NOT BE HIRED TO REPLACE RICHT, if it comes to that. Not even a consideration.
Ringleader
May 20th, 2011
9:23 am
TP…………Yep, he went to an expensive high school, however it was free……His dad was headmaster.
Now……….he is letting his mouth write checks, that his azzz cannot cash.
Mr. Dawg
May 20th, 2011
9:23 am
Nothing changes a teams fortune’s – for better or worse – like a change in head coach. Jury is out on Mushchamp. From what I hear about Weis he’s not the coziest man in the world. Recruiting is key and I don’t think that’s is area of expertise. Just sayin…
DawginLex
May 20th, 2011
9:24 am
Nah, i’ll be around.
It is hard to type DawgInLexEatenByGator
I may need a Tums
AltamahaDawg
May 20th, 2011
9:24 am
Mike, I believe had UGA dismissed Richt, the last thing they would do is hire another co-ordinator with no HC experience. That’s an expensive learning curve to pay for. The issue over the past couple of years don’t come from a lack of ability, but it’s purely a case of inexperience dealing with all the situations a HC is going to face over his career. Muschamp will go through the same thing. Pure energy (and he is an excellent football coach) will carry him for a while, but eventually he will face a set of circumstances that he is going to have to figure out over time. UGA would have gone the route of Alabama and let somebody else pay for all that.
My personal opinion is that Richt isn’t going anywhere, but IF we were going to hire a guy, a Mark Richt “type” name would be what they would be looking at. (obviously he would not want 2010 to be the last thing on his resume’, although guys have been hired with much worse). But a guy that somebody else already paid the price to educate. Folks tend to forget Richt and some others are just now getting to the point in his career that some of the desirable coaches around the league started really getting it down.
matchups
May 20th, 2011
9:27 am
college sports have become the same as pro sports. good coaches exploit the matchups where they hold the advantage.
which UGA players hold the advantage that richt can exploit? O-Line – probably not. RB – Caleb will need to step up WR – not this year. Secondary – seems unlikely D-line -maybe Jenkins. Special teams – for sure
dga
May 20th, 2011
9:27 am
They couple getting married mentioned in the beginning of this article must not be very big Georgia or Florida fans if they are getting married on the day of the Georgia/Florida game.
Joey
May 20th, 2011
9:27 am
Why so, JB?
Whisky Breath
May 20th, 2011
9:28 am
You guys think CMR is a real saint, But noticed he doesn’t really let go of that 3 million dollar salary.
He banks it all.
Michael
May 20th, 2011
9:30 am
I attended UGA during the Dooley-Goff transition. Guaranteeing a FL win is like guaranteeing the sunrise. The rivarly’s a joke until UGA can put at least two wins together. GO DAWGS!
AltamahaDawg
May 20th, 2011
9:30 am
I remember one of Richt’s first appearances at the Golden Isle Bulldog Club, and somebody asked him “how long will it take to beat Florida”.
“60 minutes” was the reply.
What heck did you expect Muschamp to say.
It Ain't Rocket Science
May 20th, 2011
9:32 am
I have to admit, I get a kick out of most of the stuff said on these blogs. LOL.
The game is still played on the field is the first golden rule. The second rule I learned while involved in team sports was not to give them bulletin board material to make you look bad, if they beat you.
I am sure Mush. was just saying what the Atlanta Gators wanted to hear and probably got a little excited since he was so close to his alma mater.
You can say anything you want when you have a captive audience and everybody is going to agree with you. I think, he might be wise though, until he has a few wins under his belt in the SEC, to not be making any promises he can not keep.
bamaguy
May 20th, 2011
9:32 am
I though the same thing about the wedding date dga. Heck, we held my father’s funeral at 10:30 AM on an Alabama football Saturday to avoid conflict. It’s not that his friends wouldn’t have come at 2:30, it was more that my father would not have wanted us to ask them to.
Paul N Destin
May 20th, 2011
9:33 am
Boom MF’er. Should be a very interesting year for the Gators. If I were a gator fan I would say very little at this point. I understand the UGA fans since they have to talk smack because that is all they have at this point. JMO but I see Derek Dooley being the up and coming coach over both Will and Mark in the real near future. Bama is the team for the next 5 years until Nick takes it to the lake.
JB
May 20th, 2011
9:34 am
AltamahaDawg…………I agree to a point, but Tuberville wore out his welcome at Auburn, although there are questions there of institutional control, and Fulmer just couldn’t make it happen anymore. I think Richt is a lot better coach than the day he showed up, but has made some Management decisions that have not worked out. Mark’s ” compassion” has cost him and this University some of the success it deserves. His loyal to assit. Coach’s who have not gotten the job done have hurt him…and the program. Talent evaluation is another area where Georgia is weak. All teams have bust. We seem to have a lot. He’s a great guy. I hope he can turn it around.
JB
May 20th, 2011
9:34 am
Joey, this is my opinion only. Nothing i’ve read or heard. The guy does not the “polish” off the field to represent the University. That simple.
dga
May 20th, 2011
9:36 am
Yeah, I know what you mean bamaguy. My dad and I are the same way. My sister got engaged over the Winter, and my dad handed his soon-to-be son in law a 2011 Georgia Football schedule and said “Avoid these dates and we’ll be there.” Obviously, a joke to some degree, but FWIW, they’re planning for a Spring wedding now.
BYRDDAWG
May 20th, 2011
9:38 am
F ……muschump!!!!
GDAWG65
May 20th, 2011
9:40 am
If CMR would take over calling the plays or hire an experienced OC and QB coachs the DAWGS might make a comeback. As long as Dodo is in there we will do good to break even.
The Alpha Male
May 20th, 2011
9:41 am
The two most overrated coaches in America…. Will Muschamp and Kirby Smart. Great recruiters, average as grits coaches.
404
May 20th, 2011
9:42 am
2011 is going to be a very rough year for Muschamp.
JB
May 20th, 2011
9:42 am
I think one more thing that has hurt Richt. If you’re an opposing DC, you can take out film of us from 5 years ago and prepare to play us.
Gator Mike
May 20th, 2011
9:45 am
AltamahaDawg, I completely agree with your assessment. The Gator Fans are no different than others in that we will support our coach until he gives us reason to do otherwise. Most of us even supported Zook at the outset because we had no choice even though we thought he was a bad hire. One sure thing is that the FL-GA Game has taken on a new dimension which will be intriguing for the fans on both sides. Urban Meyer simply burned himself out at an early stage. Richt is your coach, and he is a good coach with a vast experience edge over Muschamp who must earn his way or he will not last in G’ville.
For all of us fans, it will be fun to watch – to a point.
1eyedJack
May 20th, 2011
9:49 am
Muschump.
JB
May 20th, 2011
9:49 am
Gator Mike……..I’m one Dawg who thinks the hiring of Weis was genius. Lot’s of jokes about his girth, but his offensive resume is very rich….and proven. In a game of offensive wits compared to our OC, it’s no contest.
MarineDawg
May 20th, 2011
9:51 am
@bamaguy
May 20th, 2011
9:32 am
That was funny!!! However, I do understand.
BG
May 20th, 2011
9:51 am
I hope Muschamp stays in Florida. I have to say it will be funny when UF runs him out of town in a few years. As for the guarantee of beating the Bulldogs this year I hope that comment comes back and bites ole Will in the a**.
Joey
May 20th, 2011
9:53 am
Gator Mike, Richt had a “vast experience edge” over Dan Mullen last season, too.
Captain Allen Waters
May 20th, 2011
10:01 am
How could FL and TN not have any former players that could have been their coach and had to get UGA players? Wish them the best until they play us. UGA Fan in India.
AltamahaDawg
May 20th, 2011
10:02 am
JB, Richt is just NOW getting to where Fulmer started having his best success at TN.
Tubberville worked for the Auburn Athletic Administration. So, you know….
DawginLex
May 20th, 2011
10:02 am
Jb,
We have been running the same offense for 10 years!
It is the defense, or lack thereof that has been the difference.
2002 team had 6 offensive linemen, the rest were freshmen, 1 running back, a good tight end, a good kicker and 2 good receivers. We were 9th in the SEC in rushing. We held teams to 14 PPG, blocked punts, blocked FG’s and got stops.
Get us back to that level and no one will say another word about bobo.
BOSS GATOR
May 20th, 2011
10:03 am
YO…RED PANTIES……..Jacksonville, FL……Oct. 29, 2011….World’s largest annual outdoor ass kicking….I’m thinking ya’ll will wear silver bonnets…..Black panties and red bras for your annual fashion statement…..Too bad you don’t know if a football is stuffed up or blown up…..Do try to stay for all four quarters this time…..Not your usual two and a half….We’re waiting….Your BOSS
AltamahaDawg
May 20th, 2011
10:06 am
Yes Joey, and in the history of the game not every more experienced coach is going to win every game over every less experienced coach. But the fact remains…….experience tend to be a good thing to have in a coach.
Richt has also beat coaches on occasion that had been around longer and accomplish a lot more than himself. What do you make of that?
PMC
May 20th, 2011
10:06 am
Nice to hear some honesty from a coach “loyal to who signs my paycheck”
Imagine if they could have had that honesty from the guy who just quit.
DawginLex
May 20th, 2011
10:07 am
boss, I fired the only gator that ever worked for me.
Last year went OT yet we always leave early?
Better get in line before Weis in the buffets.
timthebrave
May 20th, 2011
10:12 am
He has to play this up so that he can show his loyalty to the people signing his check. If I was offered the job of head coach at Florida I would take it too and I’m the biggest dawg out there.
Dirty Dawg
May 20th, 2011
10:14 am
From the first I’ve questioned if a rah-rah, cliche-riddled, caricature of a football coach would be accepted at UF…this presentation has only renewed that questioning. Will is something of a throw-back who’s already allowed his bulldog (lower-case ‘b’) mouth to get ahead of whatever passes for his brain.
Fact is, Florida has, at least, as many unanswered questions going into this season as Georgia, and I doubt if bombast is gonna satisfy the ‘gator-nation’ when they start finding out that the answer to too many of those questions is ‘no’. A wiser man would have been able to respond to the young lady’s question about the next G-F game and kept the crowd enthusiastic about him and his approach, but he chose to ‘big-dog’ it cause that’s what he thinks works. Tell us Will, how well did that work last season at Texas?…and it remains to be seen if the ‘fat-boy’, QB-coach/O-coordinator, has still got it. Or if he ever had it for college-level athletes?
Mark it down, we’re gonna whip Florida more times than they’ll whip us while Muschump is there…then where will he go?…not to Athens, you can bet on that. And yes, I did say Muschump, cause that’s what the websites will be calling him before the season’s out if I know my gator-friends if they slip a little.
You didn’t have to throw Georgia ‘under-the-bus’, as they say, in order to appease this crowd…you could have played it with a degree of circumspection and style….buuutttt noooooo….you had to do it this way. So be it. By the way Will, have any of your black ball-players ever asked you about the teachings, practices and oaths of the Kappa Alpha Order?
AltamahaDawg
May 20th, 2011
10:17 am
Joey, why do you doubt he can? He certainly has proven otherwise, as are there plenty example of such in the books. I could pretty easily suggest a number of reasons to expect the 2011 to be better. Solid rational reasons based on actual tangible things. Or it could all the hell, we don’t know. I’m just wondering what is the 1,2,3 point basis for you basically predicting that 6 teams will beat Georgia this year.