Will Muschamp Stops Waiting in Texas, Florida Grabs a New Gator

Will Muschamp jumped the sinking ship that is Texas football and came home to the SEC in style with the head coaching job of Florida. 

“This is a dream come true to be the head coach of the Florida Gators,” said Muschamp after becoming the newest SEC head coach. And why not? He grew up dreaming of being a Gator, but ended up playing for Georgia before holding other coaching positions at LSU and as a graduate assistant at Auburn, both SEC universities.

Muschamp is a Nick Saban disciple and the two have remained close since their days together at LSU and now the two will meet as opposing head coaches.

Taking the head coaching job at Florida now is something Muschamp had little angst over. Texas' head coach Mack Brown has never set a date for his retirement and many feel he will stay at least a few more years. Florida is one of the few programs that could be considered a job just as top level.

This move certainly puts a crimp in Texas' rebuilding efforts, but gives Florida a name that will excite recruits.

While some schools thought Muschamp was content to wait it out at Texas, Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley knew better.

"Coach Muschamp is someone we targeted from the beginning and he is the guy we wanted,’’ Foley said. “He is the only person we met with and the only person we offered the job to.”

So now there will be no "Oops, I changed my mind" scenarios from current Florida head coach, Urban Meyer, and the timing gives Muschamp a chance to start recruiting as soon as possible.

Texas did not even make a bowl this year and Muschamp will attend the Florida bowl game, though not on the sideline.

This hire was made with the blessing of Meyer who previously had told the team when he informed them of his retirement that he would help make sure they got a great new coach.

Time will tell if that is the case, but there is no reason at this point to think that won't be.