Two days after officially taking the reins of the Florida football program, Will Muschamp swiftly put together his coaching staff.
The new Gators coach retained or hired five coaches Sunday, and he officially added Charlie Weis and Dan Quinn as his offensive and defensive coordinators on Monday.
Weis fulfills Muschamp’s qualifications of an experienced coordinator at both the college and pro level. As the quarterbacks coach, a job he will take over from Scot Loeffler, Weis will also face the tall order of solving the lengthy list of problems the Gators encountered at the position last season.
“Charlie was a perfect fit for what I was looking for in an offensive coordinator,” Muschamp told Gatorzone.com, the University Athletic Association’s official website. “He has both college and pro experience and has been a play-caller in the NFL. He has four Super Bowl rings and his accomplishments and his ability to develop quarterbacks speak for themselves.”
Weis’ family played a role in his decision to leave the Chiefs, as he was looking for a place his son, Charlie Jr., could serve on staff. UF fit the bill, as the younger Weis will become a student assistant for the Gators. The former Notre Dame coach will leave his current role as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator as soon as their playoff run comes to an end.
“We hope the Chiefs make a run to the Super Bowl — it would be great for the Chiefs and great for the Gators,’’ Muschamp said. “Everyone involved with the Kansas City organization has been first class about the transition.”
Quinn also brings plenty of NFL experience to Gainesville, as he will join the Gators after serving as the defensive line coach for the playoff-bound Seattle Seahawks.
Muschamp worked with Quinn under Nick Saban during their time with the Miami Dolphins. After 10 years in the NFL, Quinn will also coach the defensive linemen at UF.
“He is one of the best I’ve been around in terms of teaching fundamentals,” Muschamp added. “He understands how defenses will need to be multiple and how to put players in a position to be successful.”
In addition to Weis and Quinn, Muschamp added two more people to his staff Monday: Frank Verducci (offensive line/running game coordinator) and George Wynn (director of football operations), who will leave the same job at Texas to join Muschamp.
Verducci worked with Weis at Notre Dame in 2009 and has coached in college and the NFL during his 28-year career.
“Frank will bring a sense of toughness and a physical style of play from our offensive line,” Muschamp said. “It is important that the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator work closely together and always be on the same page. Charlie and Frank had that together at Notre Dame in 2009 and they will have a cohesive plan for the Gators.”
Muschamp retained Stan Drayton (running backs/recruiting coordinator), D.J. Durkin (linebackers/special teams coordinator) and Brian White (tight ends) from Urban Meyer’s staff and hired Aubrey Hill (wide receivers) from Miami and Travaris Robinson (defensive backs) from Texas Tech.
The newcomers aren’t at all unfamiliar with Florida and Muschamp. Hill played for the Gators from 1991-94 and spent the next three seasons as a graduate assistant. Robinson, meanwhile, worked with Muschamp at Auburn in 2006-07.
“I thought it was important to have some continuity in the staff – D.J., Stan and Brian bring that to the table,” Muschamp said. “They are also solid recruiters. Aubrey is obviously a Gator, and it’s always a plus when you have someone coach at their alma mater. He understands the passion and the expectations here. … (Robinson) has competed at the highest level in this sport and is a good young coach with strong ties to the South Florida area, which will benefit us in recruiting.’’
Muschamp had previously announced that he would retain Mickey Marotti, the team’s director of strength and conditioning. He can still add on one more coach, assumedly a slot he will fill with someone on the defensive side.
