Following their 23-20 loss to South Carolina yesterday, Florida and Will Muschamp have decided to part ways.
Muschamp, in his fourth season in Gainesville, went 27-20 overall, with a 17-15 mark in SEC play. At the Swamp, he went 17-8. His second campaign, when he recorded an 11-2 mark and made a trip to a BCS bowl game, marked his best season.
After that 11-2 mark, which followed a 7-6 first season, Muschamp went 4-8 in 2013 (including a loss to Georgia Southern) and was 5-4 so far this year.
Sports Illustrated first broke the news.
ESPN reports that Muschamp will coach the final two games this season.
FootballScoop was of the belief that if Muschamp were to win out these final three games that Jeremy Foley wanted to keep Muschamp for another season (and that they would have gotten better) but that all fell apart late in the 4th quarter last night. The proverbial back was broken.
Update> Here is the official statement from Florida. Will is going to coach the team for the remainder of the season. The statement is extremely well written. Good people over there, it just didn't work out and is time to go a different direction.
People will immediately ask "So who will be the next head coach at Florida?" - At FootballScoop, word we have been hearing from the coaching community is:
Rich Rod - He'd kill it in Florida. He'd also bring enough credibility to rally the troops and get the facilities right. Would be a home run.
Spurrier - Coaches we have spoken with believe he would accept if offered. There would be no interviews, no leaks...just a phone call from Jeremy Foley asking a question or two and it would be done. Question is does Foley want to go this route.
Hugh Freeze - I was of the belief that Freeze wouldn't leave Ole Miss anytime soon; but some in the coaching profession believe he would listen if called.
Dan Mullen - Every person we ask about this possibility says that there is something between Foley and Mullen that makes them believe this won't happen. Don't know what it is; but we hear it so much it does make us pause. Will ask around more about this and update.
Jim McElwain - Mac has done an excellent job proving himself at Colorado State and by all accounts is loving what he is doing there. There is buzz out there about Mac returning to the SEC; but I simply don't see it. Oh, and that contract extension he signed just a few months ago includes a $7.5 million buyout. I simply can't see Florida paying that to bring in Jim McElwain at this time.
Bob Stoops - Personally, we think Bob's next move is to the NFL (whenever the right opportunity presents itself).
More to come...