Former Gator Crowder remembers time with Muschamp fondly
Thursday, January 13, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
Former Gators linebacker Channing Crowder was an NFL rookie like his coach in 2005.
In new Gators head coach Will Muschamp's one season in the NFL as assistant head coach for defense for the Miami Dolphins, Crowder played in every game and started 13 for Miami.
Muschamp and then-Dolphins head coach Nick Saban were familiar with Crowder during their time together at LSU, facing Crowder and the Gators regularly.
Crowder is confident Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley made a good call in hiring Muschamp to replace Urban Meyer. He said the Gators better get ready for some lively spring practices.
“He's an energetic dude. I'm excited for him,'' Crowder said. “He's a proven defensive coordinator and he knows defense. When he was here I want to say we were the No. 3 or No. 4 defense in the league. He's just a smart dude and he's going to be a young head coach.
“He's going to bring energy to the team. Urban was a great coach but he was more of that laid-back, dictator type. Will's going to get in there and get dirty with the guys and I think he's going to be great for Florida.”
When asked how Muschamp compares to his current coach – the fiery Tony Sparano – Crowder said the volume is a little louder around Muschamp from what he remembers.
“He's worse than Tony as far as yelling and jumping around. You'll see. I watched him a little but at Texas and he was out there getting after it, but he wasn't in the spotlight because he wasn't the head coach,'' Crowder said. “But you could see him on defense screaming, yelling, throwing his headset off.
“And now he's going to be in the spotlight at Florida, especially coming into the situation he's coming into with a proven program. I think it was a great hire and I think he'll bring a lot of excitement.''
Note: Crowder's comments courtesy of MiamiDolphins.com writer Andy Kent.
