Jeremy Foley is searching for an offensive-minded coach. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said Monday he expects the Gators’ next head football coach to be offensive-minded with a proven track record.
“We’d like an individual successful on the offensive side of the ball,” Foley said during the news conference, one day after coach Will Muschamp was fired as head coach.
Foley, who will oversee the search for Muschamp’s replacement, said retiring university president Bernie Machen and incoming president Kent Fuchs would be involved in finding the next coach.
In acknowledging the Gators need to score more points to energize fans, Foley said he could still hire someone with a defensive background.
Foley said he has not contacted other schools about interviewing coaches, but he would like to get someone in place at some point in December.
“That’s ideal,” Foley said of the timeline.
Muschamp will coach the Gators’ final two regular-season games, but he won’t coach a bowl game if the Gators qualify by earning a least one more win against remaining opponents Eastern Kentucky and Florida State. The Gators are 5-4 this season and coming off a 23-20 overtime loss to South Carolina on Saturday. Florida has lost six of its last eight home games.
“We didn’t win enough football games,” Muschamp said at the news conference.
Muschamp said he stands by the accomplishments his staff made getting the Florida program on track and cutting down on off-the-field issues.
“I know this locker room is better than it was four years ago, there’s no question about that and where we’ve come,” Muschamp said. “You’ve got a deep and talented roster, so don’t let that new guy tell you he doesn’t (have) any players.”
Muschamp is 27-20 in four seasons, including 17-15 in the SEC. Muschamp has three years and $6 million left on his contract.
Last year, Florida experienced its first losing season since 1979 when it finished 4-8.
The highlight of the Gators’ 2014 season may have come two weeks ago when they upset Georgia 38-20, the first time Florida has won the matchup in four seasons under Muschamp.
Muschamp was hired to replace Urban Meyer after the 2010 season. Florida went 7-6 in his first season before improving to 11-2 in 2011. That season, the Gators made it as high as No. 2 in the Associated Press poll.
Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher spoke Monday about his close friend’s dismissal.
“Will’s future is going to be very bright,” Fisher said. “Will is a heck of a football coach. I hate it. They have two more games and he’ll definitely have them ready and he’ll play hard. I know the competitor he is.”
