Less than 24 hours after Bobby Petrino was crossed off their list, the Florida Gators have reportedly landed their man: Texas Longhorns defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. The Florida Times-Union’s Michael Dirocco concurred on Twitter with Saturday Down South's report that Muschamp will be named Florida’s new head coach.
Landing Muschamp would be about as big a coaching get as possible. Muschamp has been the official coach-in-waiting at Texas in the event of Mack Brown’s departure. For Florida to sway Muschamp away from one of the only two or three other jobs in college football that could be considered a contender for the best job in the country would be amazing.
This would be a departure from the Urban Meyer coaching tree most had assumed would provide options one and two, Mississippi State Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen and Louisville Cardinals coach Charlie Strong. Mullen denied interest, and Strong may already have his ideal job.
Muschamp was born in Rome, Georgia, and played safety for the Georgia Bulldogs. He coached at West Georgia and Valdosta State before working his way into the SEC, NFL, and eventually Texas.
UPDATE:
Can confirm that Will Muschamp will be next Florida coach. Met with AD Jeremy Foley in Austin today, offered, accepted
Chris Mortensen
mortreport
Orangebloods.com has also been able to confirm that Will Muschamp will be the next head coach at Florida. #hookem #longhorns
Chip Brown
ChipBrownOB
Welcome to the Gator family Coach Muschamp! You'll soon find out why it's great to be a Florida Gator! God bless and Go Gators!!!
Tim Tebow
TimTebow
"This is a dream come true to be the head coach of the Florida Gators," said Muschamp,. "I grew up watching the Gators.''
Scott Carter
GatorZoneScott