The Gators’ Will Muschamp: The next Urban or another Zook?
"The next game I win as head coach will be my first." (AP photo)
Hoover, Ala. — Let’s stipulate that Florida is pretty good at hiring football coaches. Two of the past three tapped by the Gators went on to win a national championship. The third was Ron Zook.
The Zooker had never been a head coach. At Florida, he didn’t last three full seasons. (Still beat Georgia twice, though.) We mention this because Florida again has a head coach who has never been a head coach. He’s Will Muschamp, and he’s no Ron Zook. He’s probably not a Steve Spurrier or an Urban Meyer, either.
If you get past the obvious disadvantage of having played under Ray Goff, Muschamp has a solid background. He’s the son of a coach. He played in the SEC. He has worked at Auburn and at LSU. He apprenticed under Nick Saban, who’s the best in the business. He was the coach-in-waiting at Texas, which takes the sport seriously. That said …
He hasn’t coached a game. As Spurrier himself has said: “If you want to know whether a guy can win, look at his record.”
Muschamp’s record: 0-0.
Everyone knew Spurrier would win big at Florida. How? He’d won an ACC title at Duke. Most folks figured Meyer’s spread option would, given time, function in the SEC. Why? He’d gone undefeated at Utah.
Spurrier won his first SEC championship in Year 2 at Florida and would have done it in Year 1 had the Gators been eligible. Meyer won the BCS title in Years 2 and 4. Muschamp’s first Florida team won’t be favored to win its division and might not be picked to run second.
To reiterate: Zook won 20 of his first 33 games … and got fired in 2004 the week Florida played Georgia.
Greeting the assembled SEC media Wednesday, Muschamp appeared antsy — his opening statement lasted more than five minutes, a filibuster by industry standards — but composed. (Zook, by way of comparison, gave the impression of a man in the throes of hyperventilation.) The new Gator sounded the right notes. He made you think, “This guy’s got a chance.”
Then you remembered: He’s 0-0.
Muschamp has assembled an intriguing staff: Charlie Weis, the offensive coordinator, used to be the head coach at Notre Dame; Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator, had been in the NFL since 2001; Mickey Marotti, the strength and conditioning coach, is a Meyer holdover. (And, according to Muschamp, the strength coach “is the most important guy on the staff.”)
Weis’ offense, Muschamp said, should suit quarterback John Brantley, the underwhelming incumbent, “a little bit better from the skill-standpoint” than did Meyer’s option. On the status of running back Jeff Demps, who’s running track in Italy: “I deal with people eyeball to eyeball, and I ain’t never been to Italy.”
He has, however, been around football his whole life. “When I was playing in the backyard with my brothers,” Muschamp said, “I wanted to beat them as bad as anything.”
Speaking of ties, familial and otherwise, how does a Georgia native and a UGA grad feel about coaching Florida? “I’m a Florida guy,” Muschamp said.
How does a career assistant make the transition to winning head coach? “You don’t try to be something you’re not,” Muschamp said. He won’t call plays for Weis, and he won’t to draw up defenses for Quinn. (Though Muschamp was a pretty fair defensive coordinator himself.) He’ll oversee.
To date, Muschamp’s closest counselor has been his predecessor. “My e-mail is full of suggestions from Gator Nation, but I listen to Urban a little bit more … We’ve talked about [the competition] in the SEC, and he said, ‘You’re kind of like, “Wow, it’s [this way] every week.” ‘ ”
Well, yes. That’s why the SEC has yielded five consecutive BCS titlists. That’s why Florida’s aim isn’t just to contend in the Eastern Division but to win in Atlanta and play for the big crystal football. Meaning: The Muschamp honeymoon ends with Loss No. 1.
In his first meeting with his new players, Muschamp said he told them: “Change is inevitable, but growth is optional.” That’s a pithy phrase, and nobody ever used the word “pithy” in the same sentence as “Ron Zook.” But the Zooker isn’t the gold standard in Gatorland — he’s the lead balloon.
Will Muschamp will be better than Ron Zook. But being better than Ron Zook will make him only the third-best Head Ball Coach the Gators have had since 1990.
By Mark Bradley
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249 comments Add your comment
ga gator
July 20th, 2011
8:26 pm
LakeDawg, Tebow only had a minor role his freshman season, threw 22 passes and ran 89 times scoring 8 TD’s. You are correct about Urban not changing offenses after Tebow left. What really hurt was Dan Mullen leaving and turning the offense over to Addazio who did not have a clue. If not for Tebow they would have lost 3 or 4 games during the regular season before the loss to Bama.
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
8:27 pm
Common Sense,
Here’s Muschamp take on the October games. Gotta love his attitude, even though we could lose all 4. Won’t know till they’re played.
During a segment filming the TV show “Talkin’ Football” with Tony Barnhart, Mark Schlabach and Bob Neal, he was asked about the brutal schedule that awaits him.
“Those teams are looking at the schedule saying, ‘Oh no, we’ve got to play the Gators,’ ” he said. “I know I used to.”
McDawg
July 20th, 2011
8:32 pm
sounds like this guy was a closet Gator all his life-no mercey
Rex
July 20th, 2011
8:33 pm
If the NFL (Spurrier) or Health Issues (Meyer) dont take him off the sidelines of The Swamp, then I think Muschamp may win more games as Gator HC than Meyer or Spurrier did. He just may coach in Gainsville longer than either one of them did…….and probably whip the Dawgs just as often too
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
8:35 pm
1953 dawg,
You just sound like a bitter old man. Call me a clown or whatever makes your miserable old self feel better. I’ll let the results speak for themselves on whether Muschamp will be a good HC or not. It’s all opinions at this point, including your convuluted one.
Ace of Hearts
July 20th, 2011
8:38 pm
Muschamp played his high school ball here in Rome Georgia at Darlington High School. This weekend we will welcome Chipper for a rehab stint. I hope Chippers rehab goes better than the last big time brave to come to Rome. I watched Tom Glavine pitch his last game. I think Muschamp will be a good coach, he is well prepared.
Worm
July 20th, 2011
8:39 pm
Tampa gator, will broke his leg sliding into homeplate during a spring baseball game..
ga gator
July 20th, 2011
8:45 pm
Worm that is correct. 1953dawg why do you hate the guy so? Time will tell if he is another Zooker; personally I think he will be a cross between Urban and Spurrier; over prepared like Meyer and animated like the Spur Dog.
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
8:51 pm
LakeDawg,
FYI, UF averaged 35.8 points per game against ranked teams in 2008 (6th). 33.0 (7th) in 2007 and 25.7 in 2009 (17th). I wouldn’t call that too shabby. That is not a “gimmicky” offense that runs up stats against poor competetion, in my opinion. Give credit where it’s due.
LakeDawg
July 20th, 2011
8:56 pm
What was UF’s avg. post Tebow?
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
8:57 pm
Pretty good piece on the SEC since it went to divisional play.
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/07/sec_divisions_turn_20_with_rem.html
Beast from the East
July 20th, 2011
9:02 pm
LakeDawg,
29.8 (43rd) against all opponents. 12.6 (86th) against raned teams.
For comparison, UGA averaged 15.8 (70th) against ranked teams. Both pretty pathetic, huh?
Try this site someone posted earlier today. Pretty cool info at your fingertips.
http://www.cfbstats.com/2010/leader/national/team/offense/split13/category09/sort01.html
Will Muschamp refutes rumors that Jeff Demps won’t play football – Orlando Sentinel | Global Sports Insiders
July 20th, 2011
9:17 pm
[...] team. Demps missed all of spring football practice to focus on trying to win another NCAA …The Gators' Will Muschamp: The next Urban or another Zook?Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Low expectations, low profile for Gators at SEC Media [...]
ga gator
July 20th, 2011
9:21 pm
LakeDawg enough to put up 33 in Jax.
JB
July 20th, 2011
9:30 pm
I think the Weiss hire was purely genius. Say what you will, laugh at his weight, the guy can run an offense. Now Will himself has a lot to prove. We know he can jump up and down and scream, but deny ALL you will, his defenses at ,LSU and Texas did get beat up from time to time. They will tear down a door coming out of a locker room, but after the whistle and kick off, a lot of that fades to just football and coaching. I will say if he was in Athens right now, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings. Go Dawgs.
Just Me
July 20th, 2011
9:33 pm
JB good call. It seems you are one of the few dawgs on here that says y’ll did want Muschamp or Smart back at UGA when Willie was sent packing.
Will Muschamp refutes rumors that Jeff Demps won’t play football – Orlando Sentinel | News Feed Today
July 20th, 2011
9:33 pm
[...] team. Demps missed all of spring football practice to focus on trying to win another NCAA …The Gators' Will Muschamp: The next Urban or another Zook?Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Low expectations, low profile for Gators at SEC Media [...]
?????
July 20th, 2011
9:34 pm
what has weiss ever done in collage?
JB
July 20th, 2011
9:36 pm
I’m sure he learned how to spell it…LOL
chomp
July 20th, 2011
9:48 pm
this is ron zook all over again, no head choaching experience first off and when he was at texas there defense was not all that good ,as far as charlie weiss wast he offensive coordinator at notre dame and look what happend there florida will not be the beast of the east anymore in 3 years florida will be looking for another head coach
JB
July 20th, 2011
9:51 pm
Darn chomp, you’ll get run out of town with that talk. If he loses to Georgia, and most Gators for some reason are mentally setting themselves for that, He’ll really have to produce in 2012. I think everyone down there is giving him a pass for this year….for some reason?
flagboy?
July 20th, 2011
9:52 pm
. . . saw this and had to post it.
http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/7/20/2285443/cam-newton-ncaa-investigation-auburn-football-danny-sheridan
First paragraph. . .
“During a radio interview with Paul Finebaum at SEC Media Day on Wednesday, Danny Sheridan of the USA Today said that his sources at the NCAA believe they have found a third-party “bag man” who helped Auburn University obtain the services of quarterback and 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton.”
Fan of the Game
July 20th, 2011
9:53 pm
I heard Brantley today say that Coach Muschamp has brought in discipline. That kids weren’t getting away with things that they got away with Meyer. Now is this a QB that had a grudge against Meyer or does he have a point. I heard Meyer quit because he was tired of dealing with all the problems. If Muschamp has done this he could have a problem recruiting. Florida has won with kids that don’t want and never have had discipline.
JB
July 20th, 2011
9:58 pm
Foley took a gamble on this guy…………..As Georgia did with Richt. They all have to start somewhere. Saban started as an assit. He’ll have the talent to be good. He’ll need coaching to be great.
Fan of the Game
July 20th, 2011
10:00 pm
Muschamp will do a good job, if they will let him lay his foundation. He has been around too many good programs not to know what it takes.
Tampa Gator
July 20th, 2011
10:05 pm
Ga Gator……
I think I said he went to middle school in Gainesville….P.K. Young in fact is where he went…..combo elementary and middle at that time. Also, I personally witness Muschamp give a speech where he clearly stated that paying out of state tuition was a major consideration in his decsion to go to Georgia and play……plus the Georgia coaches told him he had a better chance of playing there…which he did….and he turned out to be an good player. But he would not have been a starter for the Gators….as they had safeties that went on to be drafted and have careers in the NFL. Also, he was a walk on and I doubt Spurrier would consider his golf schedule to accommodate talking to a walk on prospect.
JB
July 20th, 2011
10:07 pm
I remember Bill Lewis who was DC for Dooley for a short time and did a great job. Dawgs lead the country in most defensive areas. He lasted one year at Tech as Head man…………Of course Bill didn’t have the talent Muschamp will have in Florida.
Tampa Gator
July 20th, 2011
10:17 pm
Fan of the game….
Let me start laughing at your post now.
Yep…..Tebow never liked discipline. None of the Gators did…..and I guess that is why so many of them lately have ended up playing in the NFL….and playing well…..because NFL coaches never demand discipline either.
Also…..you added the Meyer comment to Brantley’s words……the discipline Brantley is talking about is expected higher grades from classes and staying on course for your degree….no excuses….., and on time without excuses to off season workouts, not going downtown to party on Saturday nights and staying out late and getting in trouble……period….he expects players to be back at the dorm and in bed at a certain time…even on weekends..and following a set guideline of rules to play for the Gators…..and he is serious about his expectations because Florida has had too many inappropriate behaviors in the recent past. Meyer had his strong guidelines and expectations…..but they were not as strict as Muschamps. And, as Will stated today, the rules are set. What is not set is the players choice to or not to follow them. If not, see ya later (Jenkins, Blakely, McFarland, and Martin…all good players that are gone because they did not want to buy in to what Muschamp is doing). If you do, let’s go win some championships. By the way, John Brantley had a great relationship with Urban Meyer……but he did not play well in Urban’s system.
Also….yep…..Muschamp’s system is really turning off those recruits….checked out the current commits to the Gators……and it will continue to grow with a lot more top talent…..because most good kids really like discipline and honesty….both of which Muschamp provides.
Tampa Gator
July 20th, 2011
10:19 pm
JB….are yo comparing Muschamp to Lewis….if so….are you serious?
Just Me
July 20th, 2011
10:20 pm
JB and Bill Lewis never coached again after Tech right?
George Bowser
July 20th, 2011
10:21 pm
For those seeking a Football Coach employment opportunity, send your Resume, CV and Cover Letter to: review@thesportsresume.com for a FREE analysis.
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http://www.thesportsresume.com
Tampa Gator
July 20th, 2011
10:24 pm
??????
Put together a great offense at Notre Dame with limited talent. He most likely will do the same at Florida….except he is going to have exceptional talent there. By the way, he also has some significant accomplishments in the NFL too…..something that will attract HS kids to Florida in the future. And…if you think Weis is not serious about being at Florida for a long time….drive down just south of my brother’s ranch (south of Micanopy into Ocala) and take a look at Charlie’s new home…and ranch. He is going to be there a while…..probably until he retires……forcing Muschamp in about 7 years or so to go out and hire another multi national championship OC to coach at Florida…..and it won’t be Mike Bobo.
Chuck
July 20th, 2011
10:25 pm
19/22
Wow do you guys suck
RamboDog
July 20th, 2011
11:20 pm
@Just Me
Weiss vs Grantham? adv UF
Muschamp vs Bobo? adv UF
Seriously, you don’t even know which coaches are OC and DC…. get your ignorant self off this Blog. You can;t be taken seriously because you are a stupid hick…
NoGaGator
July 20th, 2011
11:27 pm
Foley really went outside the box to bring in someone with no head coaching experience. At the time of the hire, Foley said he was looking for the right fit – not just as a football coach but to the University and community.
Foley has proven himself to be one of the very best AD’s in the country. He’s hired all of the current UFcoaches and UF has won 21 out of the 24 SEC All Sports Trophies.
Since Muschamp has become head coach, he has
1. hired a top-flight staff
2. added discipline and cleared out some of the entitiled “me” types and
3. is putting together a top-flight recruiting class – currently having 15 with more to come this weekend.
He has done about all you can ask at this point.
UF’s schedule is very tough this year and one would expect it to take some time for the new staff and systems to jell. UF will be better than last year and will be in the hunt for it all in 2012.
Just Me
July 20th, 2011
11:33 pm
RamboDog
1970 dawg
Muschamp will be in charge of the D and therefore will match wits with Bozo. Weiss will match with with Grantham. Richt doesn’t do the play calling remember. Richt has become a Figurehead and CEO. He doesn’t or has not done the real work in a few years now. Does that explain it better for you. Bozo will be the down fall of Richt.
Paul in RDU
July 20th, 2011
11:35 pm
I love some of the selective use of facts out of context to prove peoples prejudices. 1953Dawg claims that Muschamp was a bad DC because UGA put over 40 on LSU in Sanford. What about the other 2 games when Richt coached UGA against LSU? UGA lost both games and only scored 1 TD in each.
Paul in RDU
July 20th, 2011
11:46 pm
LakeDawg
July 20th, 2011
7:36 pm
….. My overriding memory of Muschamp is him getting beat twice in Tuscaloosa, because he bit on the play action fake when he was playing DEEP and had deep safety responsibility….
——-
UGA never played Alabama in Tuscaloosa when Muschamp was playing for the Dogs.
Paul in RDU
July 20th, 2011
11:53 pm
LakeDawg
July 20th, 2011
7:54 pm
Tampa Gator’
Tebow, et al posted big numbers against the poor teams
———–
With Tebow as starting QB, UF 40 points a game against UGA. This is 1 pt a game more than they scored against Vanderbilt
Just Me
July 21st, 2011
12:00 am
Paul you are really swinging the Hammer tonight.
Just Me
July 21st, 2011
12:01 am
good points PiRUD
Paul in RDU
July 21st, 2011
12:06 am
@JB
Bill Lewis was HC at GT for more than 1 year. He was fired as HC 8 games into his 3rd year. In 9 years as an HC (just about 3 each at Wyoming, ECU and GT) he had 1 winning year. As HC at GT, Lewis lost his team after benching his best QB Donnie Davis and starting Tommie Luginbill (currently of ESPN). Luginbill went 1-10. When GT fans complained about Chan Gaily I just laughed – Bill Lewis was infinitely worse as HC.
Longhorn alert
July 21st, 2011
12:11 am
Did no one ever watch Muschamps D at Texas, I saw at least 20 of their games while he was the coordinator, his defenses always gave up a bunch of points and he looked more like a crazed cheerleader than he did a coach……. Some call it passion and energy, I thought that he just look like an idiot…… Anyway, I am glad football is almost here to bad UGA is going to be terrible again…. I guess LSU will be my pick to win the SEC, but Don’t sleep on Arkansas or MSU
Paul in RDU
July 21st, 2011
12:19 am
With Muschamp as DC, Texas went 12-1, 13-1 and 5-7 (30-9) giving up 19, 17 and 22 a game, Not sure which 20 games Longhorn alert watched.
Longhorn alert
July 21st, 2011
12:37 am
Not the games that they played teams like Rice, Kansas or Utep….but just the ones I watched, they gave up a lot of points but yes they won the majority of those games because they out scored the other team…. But thanks stat boy… I appreciate your input!!!!
Just Me
July 21st, 2011
12:39 am
Paul
giving up under 23 points a game you should be able to win.
Foghorn Longhorn
UGA scored 30 points in a lot of games last year and still lost.
Just Me
July 21st, 2011
12:42 am
Longhorn alert
yes they won the majority of those games because they out scored the other team
I bet they won EVERY game that they OUT SCORED the other team. I think that is how a WINNER is decided. It is not the team with the fewest points that wins in football.
Longhorn alert
July 21st, 2011
1:04 am
LOL I am glad you know that “just me” I thought I was just bloging with some anger little man that got left out of all the playground games, but I stand corrected you are a football genius, somebody give the man a clipboard and a whistle…… Just Me is ready for the big times….. But just as a side note I hope Muschamp does well and I am not a FLA fan, but was just saying that the games I watched Texas,… The D did not play to well….. But if you say he is great, maybe you know him better than I do stat boy!!!!! I mean Coach
Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE
July 21st, 2011
1:07 am
He was a winner as a player @ UGA as an Auburn Tiger coach, UT, Austin,Texas coach, NC and I don’t see anything but winning in UF…Great luck to you Muschamp…
Edo River
July 21st, 2011
1:22 am
I have gone to school with his father. From this time on I am a Gator fan.