Will Muschamp: Why University of Florida's New Head Coach Will Succeed

Urban Meyer has coached his last game, a victory over Penn State in the Outback Bowl. 

Now, Will Muschamp takes over the job.  Meyer has left a high standard to follow: two national championships, two SEC titles, 104 wins, and a lot of great players.  Muschamp has his work cut out for him.  People are concerned that Muschamp has no head coaching experience and is an unproven commodity. After so much success under Urban Meyer’s six years, the Florida faithful are use to winning.

After only two days on the job, I can see that Muschamp will be able to continue the success.  Year one will be one of adjustments but by year two, I predict UF will challenge for the BCS title.  Here is why: Muschamp is assembling a top notch staff while keeping enough of the current staff that the team will not be experiencing total change. 

At the highest level, and University of Florida would be considered a “college highest level” job, head coaches need assistants who are also at the same high level and Muschamp has assembled such a staff.  He has selected two coordinators—Charlie Weis and Dan Quinn—who have succeeded at football’s highest level, the NFL. In addition to these two excellent hires, Muschamp has also added Frank Verducci (offensive line/running game coordinator) and George Wynn (director of football operations), leaving University of Texas to do the same job at University of Florida.  Adam Berry of the Independent Florida Gator writes, “Verducci worked with Weis at Notre Dame in 2009 and has coached in college and the NFL during his 28-year career. Frank will bring a sense of toughness and a physical style of play from our offensive line,” Muschamp said. ‘It is important that the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator work closely together and always be on the same page. Charlie and Frank had that together at Notre Dame in 2009 and they will have a cohesive plan for the Gators.’” 

Muschamp was also wise in retaining three coaches on the current Florida staff, especially the recruiting coordinator.  Adam Berry writes, “Muschamp retained Stan Drayton (running backs/recruiting coordinator), D.J. Durkin (linebackers/special teams coordinator) and Brian White (tight ends) from Urban Meyer’s staff.”  In addition to these coaches, Muschamp has hired Aubrey Hill (wide receivers) from Miami and Travaris Robinson (defensive backs) from Texas Tech.

The newcomers aren’t at all unfamiliar with Florida and Muschamp. Hill played for the Gators from 1991-94 and spent the next three seasons as a graduate assistant. Robinson, meanwhile, worked with Muschamp at Auburn in 2006-07. “I thought it was important to have some continuity in the staff—D.J., Stan and Brian bring that to the table,” Muschamp said. “They are also solid recruiters. Aubrey is obviously a Gator, and it’s always a plus when you have someone coach at their alma mater. He understands the passion and the expectations here. … (Robinson) has competed at the highest level in this sport and is a good young coach with strong ties to the South Florida area, which will benefit us in recruiting.’’

Muschamp had previously announced that he would retain Mickey Marotti, the team’s strength and conditioning coordinator. He can still add on one more coach, assuredly a slot he will fill with someone on the defensive side.

Muschamp has assembled a top notch staff and there is no reason why Florida Gator fans should not expect anything less than success.  Muschamp’s handling of the coaching staff reminds me of when Jim Tressel took over from division II-A Youngstown State to Ohio State.  Tressel retained three coaches on John Cooper’s staff and hired top notch coaches to fill in the other positions.  Tressel took no one from his Youngstown State staff.  He knew that to succeed at Ohio State, he needed assistants who had already succeeded at higher levels than division II-A.  Since Tressel took over Ohio State he is 9-1 against arch rival Michigan, won  one national championship, participated in three national championship games, six straight Big Ten titles, and six straight BCS Bowl game appearances. 

I see similar success for Muschamp.