UF’s Head Football Coach Visited Tallahassee As Part of His Spring Gator Gathering Tour
Will Muschamp is a fast talker.
Leaning hard on a podium to reach the too-short microphone, he rattled off staff and player names with nary a notecard in front of him. A slight twang in his voice, he spoke frankly about depth problems in the defense, versatility on the offense and the absolute importance that nearly every player put time in on special teams.
And UF’s head football coach made no bones about expectations.
“I’ve got high expectations. There aren’t any in this room higher than mine,” he said. “We’ve got three national championships with two different staffs. We’re going to be the third staff to do it.”
Muschamp’s visit to the Capital Area Gator Club® in Tallahassee was one of nine Gator Gatherings he’s taken part in this spring. About 350 Gators turned out for a barbecue at the Leon County Fairgrounds to hear Muschamp speak and get autographs.
From the knowledge in his head to the cowboy boots on his feet, Muschamp was a hit.
“I love his enthusiasm. I love his sense of humor,” said Kathy Mizereck* (BAE ’73), a Gator Club® member as well as a member of the UF Alumni Association board. “He seemed focused on the right things.”
“I don’t get impressed easily — I was totally blown away,” said Carlos Alvarez* (BA ’72), a former Gator player who was recently named to the College Football Hall of Fame. “I think we’re very fortunate to have him.”
Muschamp spoke for more than an hour about his players, his coaching style and his plans for the team. He spoke candidly about some of the team’s well-known names, including starting quarterback John Brantley (4ALS).
“We’ve got to play better around Johnny,” he said, brushing off criticism about a big play that fell apart at the Orange and Blue Debut in April. “That should have been a 60-yard completion. The guy’s got to catch it.”
He talked, too, about wide receiver and running back Chris Rainey (4ALS) and running back Jeff Demps (3LAS), who spent the spring competing in track and field. In March Demps brought home his second national championship in the men’s 60-meter dash, part of UF’s overall 2011 NCAA Indoor Championship, and he’s set to take part in the Outdoor Championships in June. Rainey remains hot on Demps’ heels.
“He still can’t beat Demps — I text him every day and tell him,” Muschamp laughed. “(Demps) is beating Rainey, and that’s keeping Rainey where we need him.”
One thing Muschamp didn’t talk at length about was what style of play fans could expect to see this fall. Muschamp was upfront in saying he wasn’t sure yet himself.
“I’m a guy that believes you take your talent, look at your football team and do what they can do,” Muschamp said. “You’ve got to evaluate your players, and that’s what we’re in the process of this spring.”
Muschamp has just one Gator Gathering left — Sept. 2 with the TitleTown Gator Club® in Gainesville. For fans, it could be interesting to see how Muschamp’s outlook has changed over the summer.
“These next four months will determine our football team,” he said.
