Florida Football Rumor: Kirby Smart To Coach Florida Gators Defense

I've learned my lesson with the Dan Mullen situation. My source admitted that he wasn't sure what he had heard.

But now I hear from this source, along with two others, that Florida is going after Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.

This source just so happens to be Tide Sports.

He would replace Teryl Austin, who would go back to being the linebackers coach. Smart would also be in charge of the defensive line, a spot that has been vacated by current North Texas Head Coach Dan McCarney.

Smart and Muschamp are good friends off the field, and they coached against each other in last year's BCS National Championship game.

This isn't the first I heard of Florida going after Smart. I had listed Smart as a dark horse candidate for head coach. I had no idea about Muschamp, but I did know that Kirby Smart had to be high on Jeremy Foley's Christmas list.

I also said that if Foley wanted Smart badly enough, he would get a head coach that was compatible with Smart.

Well, that very well might happen.

It's always a good idea to build from the defense up. Florida fans might remember Ron Zook, and disagree, but here's the thing: Zook somehow decided that he, Zooker, was the perfect fit for Florida to call their plays.

Muschamp is a defensive guy, but that doesn't mean he's stupid enough, like Zook, to call plays.

If Florida does indeed get Smart, within two years they should have a lights out defense. Then Smart will probably get a head coaching job somewhere, but at the same time, Smart won't leave until the defense is in great shape. Who would hire a guy with a great resume but a shaky last stint?

And no, that's not true with Muschamp. He had a bad year but his overall stint with Texas was fantastic—30-9 as the defensive coordinator with a national championship appearance and a BCS Bowl win.

Will Muschamp plus Kirby Smart equal lights out defense?

Then, and only then, can you rebuild the offense.

At least in this system.