Gators' New Coaching Staff Prepares for Recruiting Push
Friday, January 9, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Not that they need any reminders of where the Gators have been and where they are, but Florida's new coaching staff got one Wednesday night.
Still getting to know each like classmates during the first week of school, near the end of a recruiting meeting at the office, one of the coaches mentioned he was going to grab a bite to eat. And then another one asked where he was going. Soon, several coaches left together for dinner and a bonding session.
“Haven't had this happen in a while,'' said Randy Shannon, the former University of Miami head coach and now Florida's associate head coach/linebackers coach. “It turned out to be like a chemical reaction. It wasn't nothing planned. It snowballed. All of a sudden we're all sitting at a restaurant eating.
“That tells you how good this staff is going to be because of the chemistry of that happening.”
They ended up at Ballyhoo Grill, a short drive from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. A popular spot in town, locals know that in front of the restaurant is a wooden statue of former UF quarterback Tim Tebow, winner of two national titles and a Heisman Trophy during his career.
The statue has been outside the place now for several years and has started to fade and show some signs of age. More than anything these days, it serves as a constant reminder of how the Gators once sat atop the college football world with Tebow as their leader.
The mission for new head coach Jim McElwain and his staff is to lead the program back there.
For that to happen they know they must recruit and land players like Tebow and Brandon Spikes and Percy Harvin and Joe Haden, game-changers who can turn a program's fortune around in a hurry. Players that every major program wants but only few have a real shot at landing.
“The orange and blue means something [in recruiting],'' running backs coach Tim Skipper said. “They see that Gator and that phone is going to be answered.”
As McElwain and his assistants get settled, over the next three weeks most of their focus will be to develop relationships on the recruiting trail that will not only fill out the 2015 signing class, but hopefully land some marquee talent in the future.
The coaches hit the road next week to see what they can salvage of a 2015 class that needs a booster shot before National Signing Day in the transition from former head coach Will Muschamp to McElwain.
“All across the board we are making up for some time because of the transition period,” said offensive line coach Mike Summers, the only member of Muschamp's staff retained by McElwain. “That left everyone kind of on hold, but I think we can rekindle those relationships really fast. That's certainly what we're doing right now.”
McElwain is a realist and understands the challenge ahead. Programs that go through coaching changes usually take a hit that first recruiting cycle. The same was true in 2011, Muschamp's first season.
The Gators signed a smaller-than-usual class of 19, and five of those players never appeared in a game.
Despite the hurdles to clear, McElwain senses a positive vibe during the transitional phase.
“From a national standpoint and recruiting standpoint, we've got great feedback on what we're doing and how we're going about it,'' McElwain said. “A lot of it becomes relationships and trust. We're trying to catch up a little bit from behind. I get it. We're not going to get every target we have.
“I know the guys that we are going to sign are really going to be good players, they're going to be guys that are committed to be a part of something special and a resurgence.”
A reason for optimism is the reaction to the staff that McElwain has put together.
While he has yet to name a receivers coach, McElwain lured Shannon from Arkansas, defensive coordinator Geoff Collins from Mississippi State, defensive line coach Terrell Williams from the NFL, brought in former Michigan and Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, brought Skipper with him from Colorado State, added special teams/tight ends coach Greg Nord, whom he has previously worked with, and defensive backs coach Kirk Callahan from UCF.
Shannon is well-respected for his past recruiting success in the Miami area and Callahan has quickly developed a reputation as an excellent recruiter in the Sunshine State.
“People label me as a South Florida guy, but people keep forgetting that I recruiting a lot of guys from California when I was at the University of Miami, a lot of guys from Louisiana, a lot of guys from New York,'' Shannon said. “So I've been more versatile than recruiting just South Florida.”
Summers, the one coach on staff with a leg up on recruiting his position, said the optimism those outside the program feel is shared inside the football offices.
The Gators might be behind on the recruiting trail today, but they have time to close strong with this staff.
“The opportunities, the energy, the excitement that's around the program right now is something that I can really feel,'' Summers said. “I sense it from the players. I sense it myself, my energy. There is a pep in my step as I walk around.”
