Interim head coach Billy Gonzales is attempting to spark a Florida offense that ranks 91st in the country through seven games of the 2025 season. With quarterback coach Ryan O’Hara now calling plays from the booth, the Gators need someone on the field to work with the quarterbacks.
Enter Steve Spurrier Jr., the son of Heisman winner and winningest coach in Florida program history Steve Spurrier.
“Coach Steve Spurrier Jr. will take more of an active role working on the field with the quarterbacks, and will also be involved with gameday management,” Gonzales announced on Wednesday.
“First and foremost, Coach Spurrier has been with us all season long, and he’s been working with the quarterbacks, with Coach O’Hara,” Gonzales added. “So, this has been something that allows us to move Coach O’Hara upstairs and then have somebody that’s been communicating, been in the locker room, been on the video iPad with DJ throughout the season anyways.”
Spurrier Jr. was hired prior to the 2025 season as an offensive analyst. The 54-year-old started his coaching career in Gainesville back in 1994, where he served as a graduate assistant under his father until 1998. Spurrier Jr. has been part of two national championships (1996-Florida, Oklahoma-2000) and five conference championships (three SEC, two Big 12).
“Whenever you’re around one of the greatest offensive minds in history, it’s obviously going to rub off on you, as well. I’ve known Coach for a long time. I know he’s a competitor. He’s active, actively involved in the pass game. He’s been actively involved in mentoring some great football players across his time. So, we’re just super excited,” Gonzales said.
The Florida Gators need to find more consistency out of the quarterback position, and that’s where Gonzales is hoping Spurrier Jr. can help.
“The one thing I want to say is he’s been involved with the quarterbacks over and over throughout the season,” Gonzales said on Spurrier Jr. “I think that’s the big point right now that we’re getting to is he’s been involved, but now, he’s gonna have more of a role because he’s going to be down there on the field, with the quarterback looking in his eyes and getting a chance to talk to him and review the film that’s being relayed through Russ and through Ryan. So, it gives us another opportunity to have a veteran coach working with a quarterback in a situation, like I said, we’re a little different right now. I think it’s going to put us in a great situation to help DJ and the quarterbacks perform on the football field.”
Starting sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway has battled injuries throughout his early career and doesn’t seem all that comfortable on the football field this season. The Willis, Texas native has thrown for nine touchdowns and nine interceptions through seven games.
Spurrier Jr. will now work directly with Lagway during games in hopes of revolutionizing Florida’s passing attack.
“They’ve got that relationship,” Gonzales said. “And, again, when you start talking about communication with the quarterback, it’s all about, in my opinion, having that same voice over and over. And it’s going to be the same voice that Coach Spurrier is going to be relaying, and it’s going to be the same voice that he’s heard in the meetings with Coach O’Hara. It should be very fluid, and I think it’s going to help us.”
Spurrier Jr. has over 30 years of coaching experience under his belt and knows what winning football looks like. While he won’t be calling plays for Florida, Spurrier Jr. served as Tulsa’s offensive coordinator from 2023-24. He also was co-offensive coordinator at South Carolina from 2012-15.
“Coach Spurrier has got a wealth of knowledge,” Gonzales said. “So, he’ll be on the ground, and in between series, he’ll be the voice that gets to talk, obviously, and gets to start and sit down with DJ and the quarterbacks and review the film.”