Steve Spurrier Named Ambassador, Consultant for Florida Gators

Steve Spurrier is returning to his alma mater and the site of his greatest success as a head football coach, joining the University of Florida's athletic department. 

Per Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times, Spurrier will work as an ambassador and consultant for the Gators. 

Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley issued a statement about Spurrier's hiring on the school's official athletic website:

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It's a great day for the Gator Nation to be able to welcome Coach Spurrier back home. He has served as a tremendous ambassador to the University and the athletic department for 50-plus years and it's only fitting that at this point in his career, he is back in Gainesville. Being a Gator has always meant so much to Coach Spurrier, but it means just as much to us have him come home.

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Spurrier also issued a statement in the release: "My wife, Jerri, and I are extremely thrilled to be returning home to our alma mater, and to Gainesville where we met on campus over 50 years ago."

Spurrier added that he is "anxious to watch the Gator football team as they strive to be the best in the SEC and the nation in the years ahead."

Also included in the website's release, Gators head coach Jim McElwain said he anticipates "visiting with him on a lot of occasions and picking his brain on a number of issues," and it's to Foley's credit that Spurrier is "back home where he belongs."

Spurrier is a legend in Gainesville, Florida. He was the Gators' starting quarterback from 1964-66, throwing for 4,848 yards, 36 touchdowns and 31 interceptions and winning the Heisman Trophy as a senior in 1966. 

He returned to the program as head football coach in 1990, compiling a record of 122-27-1 in 12 seasons, and he led the University of Florida to its first national championship in the sport in 1996 with a 52-20 victory over Florida State in the Sugar Bowl.