How college football could look if Urban Meyer never left the Florida Gators
By Logan Shaw
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Nov 2, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp reacts during the first half of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
Would Will Muschamp still be coaching?
Yes, Will Muschamp would still be coaching. He couldn’t have possibly driven any other team into the ground faster than he did at Florida, and since he’s still a commodity as a coach, he most definitely would be coaching somewhere now if Meyer would’ve never left Florida.
Muschamp’s tenure with the Gators was unsuccessful, despite having many talented recruiting classes. In his tenure, Florida averaged the No. 7 recruiting class in the nation, not counting the 2010 class Muschamp inherited from Meyer.
Before Muschamp was hired as the Gators’ next head coach in December of 2010, Muschamp was one of the top head coaching candidates in college football, despite having zero experience as a head coach. Many elite head coaching jobs opened up that off-season, and Muschamp would’ve been hired by just about anybody, as he was one of the top young coaches in college football.
That offseason, Miami (FL), Michigan, Stanford, and West Virginia all hired new coaches and Muschamp could’ve gone to any of them, besides Stanford where David Shaw was Stanford’s replacement for Jim Harbaugh.
Or, to make matters more interesting, Muschamp could’ve gone to Ohio State, but former Buckeyes’ head coach, Jim Tressel was replaced by interim head coach, Luke Fickell, which would’ve likely meant Muschamp wouldn’t have coached at Ohio State.
I don’t think Muschamp would’ve gone to Michigan, having grown up and coaching in the south, but I’m sure there are many Michigan fans reading this thinking he would’ve probably done a better job than Brady Hoke, Michigan’s former head coach.
Muschamp to Miami sounds interesting, but he would’ve likely flaked out there, resulting in the same scenario he’s in now.
Or, Muschamp could’ve stayed at Texas, making a lot of money doing what he does best, running defenses and could’ve been promoted to head coach after the resignation of Mack Brown.
Next: Would Florida State be the top team in Florida?