A day after Florida fell 23-20 to South Carolina — dropping them to 5-4 (4-4 SEC) on the season — Will Muschamp will step down as the head football coach of the University of Florida after this season.
“Upon evaluation of our football program, we are not where the program needs to be and should be,” Foley said. “I’ve always said that our goal at the University of Florida is to compete for championships on a regular basis.”
The Gators did not make it to the SEC Championship game under Muschamp and haven’t been to Atlanta since 2009.
Despite losses on the field, Foley credited Muschamp for running a clean program and doing things the right way off the field. Under Muschamp, the Gators cleaned up a program that had come unraveled under the previous head coach.
“Coach Muschamp was dedicated to developing young men both on and off the field,” Foley said. “Our student-athletes showed tremendous growth socially and academically under his leadership. His players were involved in campus activities, engaged with the local community and represented the University of Florida with pride.”
Muschamp was hired without any prior head coaching experience. A Gainesville native, he knew the expectations at Florida when he signed on the dotted line. He has never shied away from those expectations and knows that he did not meet them during his tenure.
“I appreciate the opportunity that has been offered to me and my family by Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and the University of Florida,” said Muschamp. “I was given every opportunity to get it done here and I simply didn’t win enough games – that is the bottom line. I’m disappointed that I didn’t get it done and it is my responsibility to get it done.”
“I have no bitter feelings, but this is a business and I wish we would have produced better results on the field. We have a great group of players and a staff that is committed to this University and this football program. They have handled themselves with class and I expect them to continue to do so. As I’ve said many times, life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond.”
By all accounts, Muschamp is beloved by his players. A down-to-earth, blue-collar demeanor endeared him to players and recruits.
“I love coach. He’s a great coach. He’s a great guy. He’s always there for us,” receiver Latory Pittman said following the loss to South Carolina. “He’s a players coach. He genuinely cares about the players and all the guys. He helped me become more mature, so I can say I love him.”
Redshirt freshman linebacker Matt Rolin posted this message on Twitter.
It’s a very sad day for my team and I know most of you people don’t understand why we love Champ so much and I know most of you fans out there are happy that he is fired, but my teammates and I are not. He is like a father to us. He is a great role model and always preached to us that there’s more to life that football. He’s made myself and every one of my teammates a better man. The amount of passion he has for the game is something I can’t explain. And the way he cares about each of us is also something I can’t explain. If it wasn’t for him I would not be here at The University of Florida and I can promise you that. I would have stayed committed to South Carolina. When I first tore my ACL my senior year of high school Champ was the first coach to reach out to me of the 45 coaches that offered me the opportunity to play for their schools. That meant the world to me. He called me as soon as he got the news and told me not to worry about anything. He told me that they still wanted me just as bad as before I hurt my knee and had full confidence that I would recover and come back stronger and I have. He is THE reason why I am a Gator and I appreciate everything he has done for myself and this program. I know most of you will probably disagree, but Champ is a great coach. By far one of the best in the country. He will be successful wherever he ends up. We love you Champ. Thank you for everything.”
Muschamp will coach the remaining two games against Eastern Kentucky and Florida State before officially stepping down as the head coach.
The Gators will attain bowl eligibility with one more win this season and it is unclear as to who would lead the team in a bowl game.
“I will be forever grateful to Will and his staff for their unwavering commitment to the University of Florida and the mission of our athletic program,” Foley said. “Will is as fine a man as you will ever meet, and I will always cherish our relationship with him and his family.”
One name that never seems to come and is a little surprising that it doesn’t is Franklin PSU. What he did at Vandy is nothing short of remarkable. Good recruiter, ties to the SEC and can coach up a team that has no business winning 9 games. I keep seeing Mullens name pop up, but it took him 6 years to get miss st turned around and he’s not an ace recruiter either. Spurrier?…please. We need to stop that nonsense. He’ll be 70 next season. Love him, but his time is over. Stoops?….the thought of him possibly turning Foley down for a 3rd time should make us pass on him. And OU has under achieved the last 5 years. Surprised that we never hear Pattersons name brought up more either. A history of developing a winning culture at other stops should trump everything else…much like Meyer and Spurrier did before landing here. I don’t care if it’s an offensive minded coach or not. Just be able to put a winning product on the field and be a good role model for the university. I’d hate to be in Foleys shoes these next 6 weeks