Florida Gator Blog

The Florida Gators finished a disappointing 2010 season with an 8-5 record after their win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl.

Everyone knew that Florida would suffer some growing pains after losing Tim Tebow and man other key players, especially on defense, to the NFL. But I don't think anyone imagined things would be as bad as they were in 2010, where the Gator offense struggled mightily to move the ball against even inferior teams.

2011 introduces a new regime to the Florida Gator football program. Gone are Urban Meyer, the much maligned Steve Addazio, and Teryl Austin. In to replace them are the vibrant Will Muschamp, the hardened Charlie Weis, and Dan Quinn.

The future of the Gators in the hands of this new regime looks very bright.  Just a few years ago, Will Muschamp was the hottest head coaching candidate in the country.  Texas wasn't unaware of this fact, and they gave Muschamp a hefty raise and a nice new title, "head coach in waiting".  But his wait was going to be long, and Florida stepped up to the plate with a better offer.

Muschamp is a defensive guru, and his past consists of putting together some of the nation's most vaunted defenses at LSU, Auburn, and most recently Texas.  Muschamp is an SEC guy who grew up in Gainesville and played for Georgia.

Both of Florida's recent national championships came on the legs of their defense, and that's the main talent that Muschamp brings to the Gators.  Urban Meyer's heart was not in the game in 2010, this much was clear.  His passion was gone, and Muschamp brings that passion back, and will inspire it in his defense.

On the offensive side of the ball, just getting rid of Steve Addazio is an upgrade in and of itself (more on that below), but replacing a lame duck coordinator with a proven top coordinator from the NFL just makes that upgrade even greater.

Truly, the future is bright for the Gators in 2011 and beyond.

The biggest addition to the Florida Gators football team this offseason isn't the addition of Jeff Driskel, it isn't Will Muschamp, it isn't Charlie Weis, or even Dan Quinn. This biggest help to the Florida Gators this offseason is the removal of Steve Addazio as offensive coordinator.

It came with a new job rather than a removal from an old one, which was different than most people expected after the huge fan outcry against Addazio in 2010, but however it happened, it only benefits the Gators.

Steve Addazio was clearly a guy that was promoted above what he was capable of doing. Even with the nation's best tools to work with in 2009, and perhaps college football's all-time greatest player, he could put together only a mediocre offense. In 2010, with more 4 and 5 star recruits than most offensive coordinators can ever dream of having, Addazio could not put together even a remotely competent offense. The Gators were held to 26 yards through 3 quarters against Miami of Ohio, which is unheard of even against a good team, much less one from a small conference that lost 10 games the year prior. The Gators also couldn't even muster up double digit scoring against Florida State, Mississippi State, and Alabama while the offensive production was equally horrific in many other games including LSU and South Carolina.

Addazio struggled to grasp even the basic concepts of offense, such as keeping the defense honest by stretching the field occasionally, and he was completely averse to any risk which in turn made even the safest plays risky as the defense was able to cheat up on them without fear of being beaten over the top.

Addazio was given a pocket passing quarterback and attempted to run the option with him. His predictable play calling was bested only by his predictable personnel usage when he decided to telegraph his playcalls even more by putting in running quarterbacks who, of course, would always run.

The biggest thing that could happen to John Brantley, and to the Gators offense in general, was to replace him at offensive coordinator. Really, it should have been done long ago, but better late than never and to make up for the wait, the Gators have gone over the top with his replacement and snagged Charlie Weis, whom most never dreamed would take a college coordinator position.

Steve Addazio is gone, and Gator nation can finally rejoice and look towards the future.

Florida Gator Blog - inallkindsofweather.com is a Florida Gators Blog and community created by the found of the fire steve addazio movement.

Fire Steve Addazio - The aforementioned site, calling for the removal of Steve Addazio last year, was done in a very rational and civilized manner and has some great perspective in it if you give it a chance.