College Football Elites, Part 1: What makes a ‘blue blood’?
By Dante Pryor
- Conference championships: 8 (last in 2008)
- 10-plus win seasons: 16
- Consensus All-Americans: 32
- Heisman Trophy winners: 3
- NFL players: 362
The story of the Florida Gators begins with “The ‘Ol Ball Coach” Steve Spurrier. He’s forever linked to the University of Florida. Before he returned to his alma mater in 1990, the Gators had some success on the field, but they were not the national power they would become under Spurrier.
Under Charlie Pell and Galen Hall, the Gators had consecutive seasons finishing ranked in the top five. They had never won a conference championship or a New Year’s Six bowl game. Spurrier changed that.
Spurrier was one of the coaches that realized you can win with speed. Not only did Spurrier bring speed to the SEC, but he also brought spread concepts to the conference and a pass-centered offense. As a result, the Gators rose to national power in the 1990s. During Spurrier’s tenure at Florida, he won six conference titles in twelve years and brought the Gators their first national title in school history.
After Spurrier, the Gators were good, but not great. Three years of Ron Zook and Gator Nation knew they needed an upgrade at head coach. They hired Ohio native and former Utah head coach Urban Meyer. Just as Spurrier before him, Meyer placed a premium on speed. He also brought innovation to the spread offense; the zone-option read.
With this offense, Meyer won two more conference championships and two more national titles. Health concerns cut Meyer’s tenure in Gainesville short, but his tenure brought winning back to the Swamp.
After Meyer, the SEC was engulfed by Alabama’s dominance. The Gators went to back-to-back SEC title games under Jim McElwain in a down SEC East, but it was clear everyone was fighting for second in the conference because of Alabama’s talent advantage.
When that happens, you have to look to your family, and that is exactly what Florida did when they hired former Meyer offensive coordinator Dan Mullen from Mississippi State. Meyer has not won an SEC title yet, but he’s won 10-plus games both seasons in Gainesville and has renewed excitement in the Swamp.