Spring 2019 for Florida Football unfolded in positive, undramatic fashion. After a dozen or so practices, Dan Mullen and the coaching staff have a better idea who will be ready to lead the Gators during the 2019 season.
In his second spring as the head coach, Dan Mullen has the Gator program humming at what he hopes is a championship level. At the very least, spring 2019 has played out smoother and, therefore, more productive than Mullen’s first spring in Gainesville.
Rightfully so, the talk among fans generally circles around the development and improvement of players from year to year, but it’s important not to overlook the growth of the coaching staff. Often, coaches become entrenched in their ways and refuse to grow professionally or evolve with the times – everyone knows the old, crusty type.
Players and onlookers alike have noticed a major improvement organizationally from the coaching staff this year. The improvement is so obvious and impressive that Chuck Heater, formerly a Gator coach under Urban Meyer and current quality control coach, compared the organization of this staff to that of an NFL team’s staff – a major compliment, indeed.
This aspect of professional development from the staff has paid major dividends for Florida’s players as has a second year of emersion in Mullen’s system. With better organization comes better accountability which leads to greater player development.
The results have been as clear as they’ve been positive.
Said Mullen after the Orange and Blue game: “It’s the same guys, but you’re talking about another year. These guys are bigger, faster, stronger. You know, (they’ve had) another year in the program to understand the offensive scheme and how to make plays within the offense.”
The same could be said of the defense, as well. It’s plain and simple: This batch of Florida players are just better prepared physically, mentally and schematically than last years’ team or any team from the past decade.
Most of the pre-spring projected starters continued their upward development and further confirmed their starting-status, but several breakout candidates appear positioned to battle for playing time heading into summer workouts and fall practices. Totally clarity spring did not bring us, but new light was shed on who we can expect to lead this Gator team come the beginning of the regular season.