In the end, even Will Muschamp knew it was time for him to go.
The embattled Florida Gators coach, who was fired Sunday, put all his energies into building his program and developing his players. But Muschamp’s efforts did not yield the results befitting one of college football’s elite programs.
The decision to move on from Muschamp ends a four-season stretch marked by offensive ineptitude, inexplicable losses and impatience by a fan base accustomed to contending for championships.
“I was given every opportunity to get it done here and I simply didn’t win enough games – that is the bottom line,” Muschamp said in a new release from the school. “I’m disappointed that I didn’t get it done and it is my responsibility to get it done.”
Muschamp is set to coach through the regular-season finale Nov. 29 at FSU.
He will enter Saturday’s visit from Eastern Kentucky with a record of 27-20, including 17-15 in the SEC.
The final blow for Muschamp was Saturday’s 23-20 overtime loss to South Carolina, coached by former coach Steve Spurrier. Spurrier set a standard of winning at Florida Muschamp’s teams did not come close to matching other than in 2012, when the Gators won 11 games.
“We are not where the program needs to be and should be,” UF athletic director Jeremy Foley said. in a news release “I’ve always said that our goal at the University of Florida is to compete for championships.”
While Muschamp’s ouster will be a cause for celebration among many in Gator Nation, it was a sad day on campus.
Muschamp, 43, was well liked by those who worked with the head coach each day.
“He will be missed by everyone in our athletic department – from the people that worked in his office to the people that painted the fields,” Foley said. “Will knew everyone and they knew him and everyone in the building loved working with him. Will is as fine a man as you will ever meet.”
Some of Muschamp’s players expressed their emotions on Twitter.
“It’s a very sad day for my team,” linebacker Matt Rolin wrote. “I know most of you people don’t understand why we love Champ so much and I know most of you fans out there are happy that he is fired, but teammates and I are not.
“He is like a father to us. He is a great role model and always preached to us that there’s more to life than football. He’s made myself and everyone of my teammates a better man.
“We love you Champ. Thank you for everything.”
Foley backed Muschamp long after many expected the coach to be fired. The longtime athletic director lauded him for imposing high standards on the team off the field after a bumpy end to former coach Urban Meyer’s tenure.
It wasn’t enough to offset poor performances on game day.
Muschamp’s Gators also were just 17-8 during home games, including losses in six of the past eight games in the Swamp – long considered one of college football’s most intimidating homefields.
Muschamp’s record in rivalry games and against ranked teams were additional strikes. His Gators were 1-2 against FSU and 1-3 against Georgia. UF also was 5-13 against ranked opponents.
Last season’s 4-8 Gators, coupled with a stunning loss in the 2013 Sugar Bowl, cost Muschamp whatever good will he had established during an 11-win regular season in 2012. He entered 2014 needing his program to show progress.
Instead, the Gators needed triple-overtime at home to beat Kentucky, yielded a school-record 672 yards at Alabama and trailed Missouri 42-0 at homecoming – the largest deficit at home in 44 seasons.
Despite all that, Muschamp Saturday’s game with South Carolina positioned to return for the 2015 season. Decisive wins against Georgia and Vanderbilt were highlighted by strong performances on offense behind freshman quarterback Treon Harris.
Muschamp’s teams failed to rank among the nation’s top 100 in total offense the past three seasons. UF currently is No. 91, but seemed headed in the right direction under Harris.
Instead, overly conservative play calling against South Carolina set the stage for a late-game collapse that featured a blocked field goal and blocked punt during the final 3:31.
“I have no bitter feelings,” Muschamp said. “This is a business and I wish we would have produced better results on the field.”
Muschamp, who earns nearly $3 million a year, has three seasons remaining on his contract. He will receive $2 million per season for the length of his contract.
