The Florida Gators had a world class defense under head coach Will Muschamp, but the program's offense stagnated over the course of his four years in Gainesville. Now Muschamp is out and head coach Jim McElwain is in.
McElwain Hitting Ground Running As Gators Coach
UF athletic director Jeremy Foley hired McElwain because of his prowess on the offensive side of the ball. McElwain coached a 10-win Colorado State team that was Top 10 in the nation in passing offense this season, and he spent three years as an offensive coordinator under Nick Saban at Alabama.
And who is going to be McElwain's own offensive coordinator in 2015? None of than Doug Nussmeier, the guy who replaced him at Alabama in 2011.
Gators Need To Win The Recruiting Battle in the State of Florida
The first key decision of the McElwain era is at quarterback. The Gators enter 2015 with two talented, but raw projects, at the position.
Treon Harris showed flashes in his freshman year, but struggled with his accuracy (less than 50 percent). He had 1,019 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions in nine games. The Gators will also take a long look at Will Grier, who spent his own first year redshirting.
Nussmeier says the two will have to prove which deserves to be the starter next season.
"At every position on offense we want to create competition, you want to have the best players you can," he said, via The Alligator.
Regardless of who wins the job, Nussmeier says he expects growing pains to be part of the process.
"Obviously, any time you have young quarterbacks, it’s difficult because it takes time," Nussmeier said. "Everybody wants instant results. But the good thing is you get to build them from phase one."
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