The guy who follows the guy that succeeds "the guy" is always the best guy to be.
Let me explain.
In just 12 seasons, Steve Spurrier cemented himself into college football’s history books after leading Florida to 122 wins, six Southeastern Conference championships and one national title.
Now imagine having to follow that performance.
Poor Ron Zook never stood a chance.
In retrospect, Zook really wasn’t that terrible despite his reputation in Gainesville.
He garnered a .622 winning percentage in three years as Florida’s head coach and recruited notable Gator talents such as Chris Leak and Dallas Baker.
In fact, much of Urban Meyer’s 2006 national championship squad was comprised of Zook’s recruits.
So what’s with all the hate for "the Zooker?"
Well, he was the guy that succeeded "the guy," also known as Steve Spurrier in this case.
Barring a couple immediate SEC crowns and at least a bid for the national title, Zook stood little to no chance surviving at Florida.
When the bar is set too high, even moderate success is considered failure.
Actually, in some cases, if you have a different name from "the guy" then you already have failed.
Remember the banners hanging around Gainesville calling for Zook’s job the day he took over?
It’s not like he even had a shabby coaching resume heading into the position.
Zook had stints with three NFL teams and six Power Five college programs — including a four-year gig with the Gators under Spurrier.
Still, he wasn’t good enough. How could he be?
He wasn’t Spurrier.
So when Urban Meyer strolled into town, all he had to do was not be Zook.
Step one: accomplished.
Step two for Meyer was to at least show the illusion of progress by accomplishing what Zook had trouble doing.
By defeating Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State all in the same season, Meyer gained more of a fanbase than Zook ever did in his tenure at UF.
Gone was the pressure of following up a legend.
All Gator fans wanted at that point was someone who wasn’t going to pick fights with fraternity brothers and maybe could beat the important rivals every once in a while.
What they got was more than they could possibly imagine.
In just six seasons — half the time Spurrier spent in Gainesville — Meyer cranked out 65 wins, two SEC championship squads and two national titles.
More importantly, he had secured his place next to Spurrier as "the (new) guy."
So once again Jeremy Foley had the task of picking "the guy’s" successor and once again he went with a defensive minded coach that played defense back in college but had no prior head coaching experience.
Sorry Will Muschamp, but just ask Zook how much being the guy after "the guy" sucks.
Or ask Bill O’Brien. Do you think he had planned on leaving Penn State after just two seasons?
Or do you think the Joe Paterno obsessed fanbase up in Happy Valley drove O’Brien to ditch college for the NFL?
You can ask Frank Solich as well. He took over the for great Tom Osborne at Nebraska in 1998.
In six seasons, Solich made six straight bowl games, including the national title game in 2001. However, a Big 12 Championship and 58 wins still weren’t enough to last in Lincoln.
Seriously? The guy was hand picked by Osborne and still run out of town?
It’s foolish to think Muschamp had any real chance at sticking around here at Florida, but maybe his successor can without any of the absurd pressure and backlash both Muschamp and Zook received.
So if you’re interested in becoming "the (next) guy" for Florida, apply now! After this season, the bar will undoubtedly be lowered quite a few notches.
Follow Jonathan Czupryn on Twitter @JCzupryn
Will Muschamp looks down the field during Florida's 42-21 loss to Alabama on Sept. 20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
