Will Muschamp’s UGA buddies conflicted about ‘that Florida thing’
Will Muschamp (30) started at safety for the Bulldogs in 1994 and was named defensive co-captain that season. (UGA photo)
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — “Wherever I played has no bearing on this game at all.”
“There will be a lot of wasted ink on the fact that I played at Georgia and I’m now coaching at Florida.”
“I don’t mean any disrespect to anyone, but I’m loyal to people, not places.”
This is what we’ve heard Will Muschamp, the Florida Gators’ first-year head coach, say this week about his ties to Georgia. Those ties are pretty strong, as most folks can tell you. Raised in Rome and married to a girl from Thomaston, he played football and earned his degree in communications from the University of Georgia.
But Muschamp has downplayed those connections at every turn, understandable considering his current address. Instead he tells the Gator Nation that he really wanted to play football at Florida, having spent the early part of his childhood growing up in the city in which that university resides. Circumstances were such that, after breaking his leg playing baseball, only Georgia would give him the opportunity to play big-time college football. So he went there instead.
And that may well be the truth. But Muschamp also forged some lifelong relationships during those four years in Athens and his latest move in a whirlwind coaching career has left them in a conflicted state.
Whit Marshall, who played linebacker for the Bulldogs with Muschamp, was probably his closest friend while the two were in college. As it turns out, Muschamp also chose to marry Marshall’s first cousin, the former Carol Davis.
“I’ve been good friends with him for a long time,” said Marshall, who works in real estate and is raising four kids in Atlanta. “But it’s been funny seeing my in-laws become Gator fans. They were Georgia fans. Two my cousins went to Georgia, but now that Will’s the head coach they’re all big Gator fans.”
Muschamp also roomed with quarterback Eric Zeier all four years they lived in Athens. Zeier, one of Georgia’s most beloved players, is color analyst for the Bulldog Radio Network. Seeing one of his best buddies dressed in orange and blue and leading the Gators’ onto the field is something Zeier is still trying to get used to.
“For the record I called him up on day one and firmly announced that he was a traitor,” said Zeier, an executive with Bank of America. “But the serious answer is, as players and teammates, the minute you go into coaching your loyalty lies with the team that you’re on and with the players that you’re leading every day and you recruit to come to your school. We all realize that.”
Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and Muschamp have remained close in the years since they were at UGA. They used to talk almost weekly – that is, until Muschamp landed in Gainesville.
“We haven’t talked, except when he first got the job,” Bobo said. “Georgia-Florida’s a little different.”
Coaching a former rival against your alma mater is not unusual in the business. Auburn grad Vince Dooley led the Bulldogs for 25 years and Georgia grad Pat Dye coached Auburn during some of its most successful years. In each case, they downplayed their school ties when it came to the games.
“That’s the way you’ve gotta approach it, or try to approach it,” Bobo said. “Especially the magnitude of what fans think of the Georgia-Florida game.”
The fact of the matter is, as defensive coordinator at LSU and Auburn, Muschamp has coached against Georgia five times already. He’s 2-3 in those games.
Some have wondered if Muschamp’s presence in Gainesville has in anyway softened the rivalry between the two schools. On the contrary.
“Just the way this game has played out over the years, this game is as big as it gets for Georgia,” Zeier said. “It’s one that we want to win because we haven’t had success lately. The fact that Will is the coach heightens that to some degree and from a fan perspective it should. That’s what makes college football in the South so great.”
Meanwhile, no one buys Muschamp’s “it’s no different than any other game” spiel.
“It’s definitely one that means a lot to him just simply from the fact that he went to Georgia,” Marshall said. “But the reality is he’s been to so many different schools since then, it’s probably as not as big as if it’d had been a couple of years after he finished at Georgia. But I know deep down inside it means something to him, for sure.”
The whole thing is more than a little aggravating for Marshall, who said he always hoped Muschamp would remain at Texas, where he was “head coach in waiting” before taking the Florida job. Nevertheless, Marshall makes it clear that he “bleeds red and black.”
“It makes it tough, for sure,” Marshall said. “I’m always pulling for Will, but it’s hard to pull for him in this game. I have to pull for Georgia.”
|– Chip Towers
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249 comments Add your comment
Screw Muschamp
October 28th, 2011
9:28 pm
I haven’t heard a kind word come out of his mouth since he took over at UF. He’ll get none from me, either. Here’s hoping the Dawgs hang 50 on the Gators. And when he invariably gets fired, UGA shouldn’t even give him a courtesy interview. All bridges are burned.
john t gator
October 28th, 2011
9:38 pm
non issue-muschamp and Gators pull the upset…
Spaceman Spiff
October 28th, 2011
9:46 pm
@ Flat Tire
That is some of the best stuff I have read in a while… You are correct in each one of your replies to the gt fruitbat… They were beating those drums mighty loud when they beat those less than high school teams!
AtlDawg
October 28th, 2011
10:08 pm
Joey its not that he should have turned the job down, just dont come back now and trash talk the team you came up with.
Go Dawgs.
Alphare
October 28th, 2011
10:36 pm
who gives a crap about where a head coach comes from? I know I don’t.
That being said, not many successful coaches come out UGA. Hopefully, Muschamp is another failure out of UGA. Good for UGA in this case.
SuperB
October 28th, 2011
11:28 pm
If Muschamp always wanted to go to Florida– and not Georgia– the f*** him.
Who needs an alum like that?
wins-by-a-link
October 29th, 2011
12:05 am
Will is under a lot of pressure to turn things around in Gainesville, If he doesn’t calm down on the sideline he’s going to have the big one, Yeah heart attack, Hope he doesn’t have one Sat but I do hope he gets beat.
Atlanta Gator
October 29th, 2011
1:05 am
“Only one thing worse than UF and that is the Democrat party (not much difference in the two though).”
Huh?
Atlanta Gator
October 29th, 2011
1:09 am
Life is much easier living in Atlanta when the Gators win, and my many UGA friends are much easier to live with the week after the game than the week before.
That having been said, I have absolutely no idea what to expect from either of these teams tomorrow. For the first since 1990, I really have no idea. Should be interesting.
Good luck to all, and may the best team win—it usually does.
Oh NO BOBO
October 29th, 2011
1:19 am
I just don’t want them wearing pink like they did for Vanderbilt. I know it is for Breast Cancer awareness, but that pink stuff has got to do something to a mans brain when he is supposed to be fighting.
No Pink!
Ckgator
October 29th, 2011
1:45 am
Wasted ink indeed. The only thing more bush-league than the Georgia program is the UGA fan base. A pathetic collection of comments above.
19-3 looms for you all.
Dirty Dawg
October 29th, 2011
1:53 am
It’s not loyalty that we expect from Muschamp, but it’s not open hostility and comments like ‘I wanted to be a Gator all along’. As someone pointed out you never heard that kind of crap from Dooley toward Auburn…now Dye, that’s a different story.
The worm turns tomorrow and the ‘FireMuschamp’ sites ‘fire up’ right after…
Eric C.
October 29th, 2011
5:59 am
The Dawgs may lose today, but they will still win the SEC east because SC will lose two more SEC games without Lattimore, and because UF couldn’t beat a horrible Auburn team.
Ha, now chomp on them sour apples Gator fans.
Eric C.
October 29th, 2011
6:05 am
I would agree that Muschamp is not a traitor, but while we can’t expect to hear him make any nice comments about UGA, don’t expect Dawg fans to give him any accolades while his the head coach of UF.
Eric C.
October 29th, 2011
6:09 am
Atlanta Gator, the best team has lost quite often in the last decade, unfortunately
game changer
October 29th, 2011
6:20 am
It has been raining in Jacksonville since I woke up at 5 it was a heavy rain at first and now it is just a steady rain.
DawgNation
October 29th, 2011
7:12 am
I really can’t wait for all the New Mexico State fans to come on these blogs next week talking their trash. It will be a refreshing change to same old BS here. Also the regular posters that change their names to fit the week’s opponents. You people really do come up with some imaginative names. Not much substance but funny to see anyway.
go dawgs
October 29th, 2011
7:54 am
tough break for the Dawgs with Malcolm Mitchell not playing
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7162456/georgia-bulldogs-top-receiver-malcolm-mitchell-florida-gators
Dawg48
October 29th, 2011
8:10 am
I know with muschamp it’s all about the money! But for me, I will find any thing to give me a reason to hate a gator! Muschamp is a traitor!
RedandBlackDawg
October 29th, 2011
8:17 am
For a guy with a degree in communications, he sure knows how to stick his foot in his mouth. Hopefully after today, he will still be able to think a little before he says something, and not make himself look so over matched in the brain department. You shouldn’t try to add fuel to the fire you are going to step into. UGA should win this game. We have superior athletes, that are young, motivated and believe in themselves. As long as Bobo doesn’t play Mr. Conservative in his game plan and play calling, UGA will win. If Bobo, coaches like the same old Bobo, I say we package him up and offer to pay his salary for a year for any team that wants him. Let these young kids play, and let them keep scoring anytime they have a chance. This rivalry transcends any decorum in respect to showing the other team respect. If UGA can pound them in the ground, by all means, do it. It will help UGA’s recruiting and just might restore some fans faith in the coaching staff somewhat. I think our defense can have a great day against their offense, so the only hold back will be Bobo, if there is any. I don’t care how many points UGA wins the game by, just win it. I expect a certain element of the supposedly fan base of UGA, that will not be satisfied no matter how big or little the win for UGA is. They will just come up with their same old dry stats. about UGA not beating a team in the top 25, or something to the effect, that Florida was an easy game or UGA should have beat them anyway.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Realistic Fan
October 29th, 2011
9:01 am
Florida 27 – Georgia 24
Muschamp must wear a helmet to get off the field after the game as Dawg fans take out their frustration with CMR by attacking the “traitor” Gator. Blog subsequently becomes bogged down with complaints of dirty Gator cut blocking that went unnoticed during live blog of the game.
The more things change – the more they stay the same.
GatorNation
October 29th, 2011
9:39 am
A dawg is only good for kicking. georgia sucks and WILL never beat FLORIDA. GATORS own you southern ugly puppies……………HAHA. The hell with georgia
tenn.DAWG
October 29th, 2011
9:50 am
Sure he has to be loyal to the team signing his paycheck,but he has been way over the top in the way he has bashed UGA.He should never be addressed as a Dawg again.
BWG
October 29th, 2011
10:20 am
Screw Will Muschump! I can’t wait until UF fires Muschump in a few years and Will tucks his tail and leaves.
Homepage | MrSEC.com
October 29th, 2011
10:21 am
[...] Those who played with Will Muschamp at Georgia are conflicted about their former teammate.5. For a lot of reasons, Florida needs a victory [...]
Hairy Dawg
October 29th, 2011
10:52 am
Muschumps did traitoring when he became Gaytors coach. Now he leading the lizzards back to Zooking times. Dawgs own East and shows dominants from winning run while Gaytors losing for a whole month cause they stinks. Now we start partying early and celebrating Dawgs reclaiming right of owning series and SEC like the beasts we are.
Today we put the wounded lizzards out of misery and in trash heap where people throws out the dung waste. We started drinking early to be ready to let traitor Muschumps and flabby schematic advantage Wies have it at game as they bonehead way to loss with Dawgs exposing talents on them. Now we just got to swagger like Dawgs and show we is class of SEC to unload whooping can on Gaytors.
Goooo Dawgs! Sick ‘En!
Hairy Dawg
October 29th, 2011
10:58 am
Sick ‘Em!
Realistic Fan
October 29th, 2011
11:59 am
If swagger won games, then CMR would have a crystal trophy or two in Athens by now. Dawgs are the kings of trash talk and crotch grabbing. Playing championship caliber football… Not so much.
Hairy Dawg
October 29th, 2011
2:49 pm
Your kidding right? Swaggering is all about knowing you hot that talents that exposed in winning. And Dawgs got that talents cause Coach Richt recruiting (and has to overcome Adams restrictoins). Then Coach Richt lead them onto field to display dominants like Dawgs deserve. He got us on winning streak this year and we continues rolling on against them sorry Gaytors and Muschumps that did the traitoring like Judas. Coach Richt is Christain and will show today what happens to those that unloyal by turning against Dawgs.
Hairy Dawg
October 29th, 2011
2:51 pm
typo: got that talents
Coach Boom!
October 29th, 2011
3:01 pm
Even if i lose to the dawgs today, your curse wont leave till your coaching staff does.
dont worry guys, ill hang it up after 42pts.
gator 4ever
October 29th, 2011
7:17 pm
I love how you dumb dogs have terrible grammar and can’t spell. What do they teach you at that second rate college?
Frankly
October 29th, 2011
8:00 pm
Muschamps guarantees don’t mean a freaking thing, 0-1 against the Dawgs as a HC. GATA.
Frankly
October 29th, 2011
8:02 pm
Funny how gator4ever made all of those fake posts using Dawg handles and then tries to berate UGA fans. He is a total tool.
DTDawgFan1
October 29th, 2011
8:14 pm
Great Game Dawgs, and hey muschamp what happen to the guarantee you made that you would beat GA. Guess you forgot that Go Dawgs!!
?
October 30th, 2011
8:39 am
will muschump is a chump.
RedandBlackDawg
October 30th, 2011
9:39 am
I think Mushcamp might be a good coach in a few years, provided UF doesn’t put have to put him on medication, to prevent him from having a stroke on the sidelines. He did, to his credit, wait until the mid point of the third quarter to go ballistic this time anyway. I am not sure Weiss will be around that long though. It seems that his large girth may be causing him some physical problems, so he is now in the booth, instead of down there on the field. I noticed in one game a few weeks ago, where he was coaching from a sitting position on the sidelines and that is never a good sign. I hope he improves his health even if he coaches the Gators offense, because I don’t like to see anybody have health issues.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Kendell Jones
October 30th, 2011
10:12 am
Notice to Kyle. I thought we were discussing football, not politics. It only takes an ass to mess up a good sports discussion with something about politics. Or perhaps with your stupidity, maybe you thought this was a political discussion. If you want to discuss politics, my E-mail is on the post. Go Dawgs/
MTDog
October 30th, 2011
10:42 am
Remember the words of that great philosopher, MIchael Stipe; “This place is the beat of my heart . . .”. I guess Will Muschamp’s heart has stopped beating.
May this beating of FL be the first of many! Go Dawgs!
pvbdawg
October 30th, 2011
12:46 pm
To Gatormeat: You are obviously a classless, ignorant fan. How’d you like that game??? Guess you’re not having so much fun this morning “mocking the foolish Georgia fans,” are you? And I believe the “Mighty Gators” had how many first downs and how many yards rushing against that powerful Dawg D??? ‘Nuf said:)
GO DAWGS!! Let’s win out and play for the SECC in the GA Dome in December!
ROCK STEADY FREDDY
October 30th, 2011
2:06 pm
If wasn’t for Georgia’s shoddy special teams, the DAWGS would have laid a beating on the lizards. Even with everyone back on their side! AaROOF!
Jordan
October 30th, 2011
4:12 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/10/30/dawgs-defeat-gators-24-20/
Chinny
October 30th, 2011
7:10 pm
Muschamp was 0-4 as a player against Florida. Now he’s 0-1 as a coach against UGA. Suc4 it, loser.
DawginTX
October 30th, 2011
8:39 pm
I could handle Pat Dye at Auburn, just the way they handled Dooley at Georgia. And now Dooley’s kid is at Tennessee. And of course, Kirby Smart is at Bama. I like all those guys because of their Georgia connections. Not that I begrudge a guy for taking a good job, but it’s different between Georgia and Florida. As a Dawg, I hate everything associated with the University of Florida, and that now includes Muschamp. It’s the way it is.
Unbiased Observer
October 30th, 2011
9:07 pm
Beat the worst Gator Team by 4 points and 140 yard in penalties and they act like the won the NC!
Unbiased Observer
October 30th, 2011
9:42 pm
DawginTX
October 30th, 2011
8:39 pm
I could handle Pat Dye at Auburn, just the way they handled Dooley at Georgia. And now Dooley’s kid is at Tennessee. And of course, Kirby Smart is at Bama. I like all those guys because of their Georgia connections. Not that I begrudge a guy for taking a good job, but it’s different between Georgia and Florida. As a Dawg, I hate everything associated with the University of Florida, and that now includes Muschamp. It’s the way it is.
The reason of your jealousy is because UF has been in the AAU since 1985 and while Tech was recently invited, UGA still has not met the academic qualifications to be invited. Course a dump leg humper doesnt even know what the AAU is.
jarvis
October 31st, 2011
2:01 pm
He’s still a dog at heart even if the doesn’t know it. He’s taking the Gators down from the inside.
jarvis
October 31st, 2011
2:05 pm
Yes Observer….that’s what it is. Has nothing to do with the AAU being a research driven organization, and UGA has neither an Engineering School nor a Medical School.
Apples to oranges my friend.
By the way, your football team sucks.
Kris G
November 1st, 2011
1:20 am
Vince Dooley never insulted Auburn. Pat Dye respected his time at UGA. Will Muschamp is the one guy who completely went against that… I don’t care where he coaches, I think it’s slimy and opportunistic to start claiming you never liked your school, the team you played for, the people who gave you a scholarship, the town where you met your wife… all to prove you lingratiate yourself to the basest of the school’s fans. Most UF fans would have had no problem respecting his history in the SEC.