UF linebackers coach Mike Peterson started 27 games for the Gators during the 1990s, including the '96 national-championship season, and was voted the team's MVP as a fifth-year senior in 1998.
Legacy Linebacker, Legacy Coach
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 | Football, Chris Harry
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By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The hallways inside the Florida football coaches' office are lined with photographs recognizing championships and exemplary individual achievement. The assistants' wing is decorated with photos featuring trios of UF All Americans by their respective position.
One day this spring, Gators linebackers coach Mike Peterson was walking that very hallway with redshirt sophomore Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr., when Powell-Ryland glanced at the wall of fame, did a double-take and hit Peterson with a question.
"Coach, is that you?" Powell-Ryland asked, pointing to a linebacker threesome that showed Peterson alongside Wilber Marshall, arguably the greatest defensive player in UF history, and two-time national champion Brandon Spikes.
The coach smiled.
"Yeah," Peterson shot back, without breaking stride. "That used to be me."
A tribute to three of the greatest linebackers in Florida history hangs just a few feet down the hall from the office of UF linebackers coach Mike Peterson (right).
The record books say Peterson was (and remains) one of the most decorated linebackers in UF history. Peterson's legacy says he grew to become one of the most respected players and leaders of the Steve Spurrier era. A member of the 1996 national-championship team, voted Most Valuable Player by his teammates following the 1998 season, Peterson was taken in the second round of the '99 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts and, in time, became one of only eight Gators to play at least 14 seasons in the NFL. Peterson returned to UF in 2013 as a student assistant, finished work on his bachelor's degree and under then-Coach Will Muschamp eventually joined the strength-and-conditioning staff before leaving in 2016 to join Muschamp as linebackers coach at South Carolina.
In January, UF coach Billy Napier brought Peterson back into the Florida fold as his linebackers coach, making the man known as "Mike Pete," now 45 and an inductee in the UF Athletic Hall of Fame, just the second player from those glorious championship-laden Spurrier teams to return to the program as a full-time position coach.
Entering the coaching profession wasn't necessarily a long-term goal for Peterson, but it became something he thought more and more about late in his NFL career when, as a member of the Atlanta Falcons, his role changed from less of a tackler to more of a mentor.
"I kind of just fell into it," Peterson said.
And fell in love with it. The offer to do it on the Florida sidelines was as easy a decision for Peterson to accept as it was for Napier to extend.
"Anytime you can get a fantastic teacher who has an authentic and sincere care for players and people, and has done it — I mean, he's been between the lines in 'The Swamp,' is a University of Florida graduate and had a long career in professional football — you do that," Napier said. "There is a certain degree of pedigree and credibility he brings, but most important to me is the example Mike sets as a leader; with his family; who he is in the community; how he goes about his business. You don't get to where he's been without being a consistent, disciplined person. We could not have hired anyone better."
Or anyone more grateful for the opportunity.
In addition to his role as linebackers, Peterson also has the title of "Alumni Liaison," and as such is charged with reaching out to former players, getting them reconnected with the program and forging a welcoming bridge from the past to the present.
"I don't think you can have an idea where you're going if you don't understand where you've been," Peterson said. "The history here. The standard here. What's expected here. My job is not just coaching players, but also bringing back some of the older guys and letting them know they're welcome. Somewhere along the way, there's been something of a disconnect with some of them — and not just guys from my era, but former players, period — and we're going to do something about. Once a Gator, always a Gator."
Blackshear was a member of that '96 Florida team, also. A starting offensive guard. He didn't go on to a big-time pro career, but instead got an early start into coaching and is back at UF as part of the Napier staff as a quality control assistant working with offensive linemen.
He understands the thread that has run through the program from one generation to the next, but also, like Peterson, was on the front lines when Florida football was seen as an annual national powerhouse. And, like Peterson, believes history can repeat itself.
"There's a sense of pride when you put in so much — when you've cried and practically died on the football field and felt like you're going to pass out every day at training camp — and accomplished all the the things you have. You want to see that for every Gator team," Blackshear said. "That's the passion. It's not life or death, but it's obviously something that's very important to make you want to come back and help, rather than just talk about. To physically do it and lay hands and touch and learn and help these men reach what you've done … and hopefully more."
When Napier was hired Dec. 5, he immediately installed his eight-phase football calendar. Phases 1 and 2 ("Foundation" and "Identity") were checked off in January and February, then gave way to Phase 3 ("Spring"), which culminates with Thursday night's Orange & Blue Game at Spurrier/Florida Field.
It won't be the 2022 season opener, but for Peterson running out of the south end zone tunnel as a member of the Gators once again figures to conjure up emotions of days gone by and thoughts of the days to come. How could it not?
"It just feels great to be back home," he said.
LOCAL KID MAKES GOOD
From his parking space at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, it takes Peterson about 25 minutes to drive to the home where he grew up in Alachua, Fla., or to Santa Fe High School, where Peterson starred on both sides of the ball and helped guide the Raiders to a Class 3A state title. At Santa Fe, Peterson played both quarterback and safety, eventually choosing the Gators over Michigan and Clemson among others.
He arrived at UF in 1994 along with one of the best signing classes in program history — Fred Taylor, Reidel Anthony, Ike Hilliard, Jacquez Green, Ed Chester, Johnny Rutledge, Willie Cohens — and as the No. 1-rated free safety prospect in the state.
On the first day of practice, Peterson went to work with the new quarterbacks. On the second day of practice, he was moved to defense — permanently, as it turned out — even though Peterson was confident he could play either position.
Good call, Coach.
Peterson red-shirted as a true freshman in '94 and made his on-field debut in 1995. He remembers lining up on the kickoff team — "Tennessee game, I think," Peterson said — and sprinting down in coverage and blowing up the opposing return man. He also remembers the first thought that entered his head as his teammates mugged him in celebration.
"It was on from there, man," Peterson said. "I was like, 'This is it!' "
Yes. From there, Peterson assumed a backup role that put him on the field for 12 of the team's 13 games behind fifth-year senior stalwart Ben Hanks in '95. Over the next three seasons, including Florida's '96 national-championship run and blowout victory of rival Florida State in the Sugar Bowl, the 6-foot-1, 233-pound Peterson combined to start 27 of 35 games and tally 215 tackles, including a team-high 122 (plus five sacks) in his 1998 senior season that ended with first-team All-SEC and All-America honors, and Peterson's teammates voting him MVP.
Mike Petersonled the Gators with 122 tackles his 1998 senior season and was voted MVP by his teammates.
"We had some great players on defense, but Mike had special leadership skills. He knew how to practice and knew what to do on Saturdays, also," said Jim Collins, Peterson's position coach at UF under Spurrier and now an analyst at North Carolina. "He was a finisher and a competitor who knew how to prepare himself."
The NFL agreed. Peterson was taken by the Colts in the second round with the 36th overall selection in the '99 draft. As a rookie, he started 13 games, tallied 80 tackles and was part of a club that executed the biggest turnaround record in NFL history; from 3-13 to 13-3 and champions of the AFC Central Division.
The three NFL versions of Mike Peterson (clockwise from upper left): With the Indianapolis Colts (1999-2002); with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2003-08); and his final stop with the Atlanta Falcons (2009-12).
Peterson played four seasons in Indianapolis, then bolted via free agency for Jacksonville, where he became a fixture at middle linebacker for the Jaguars from 2003-08. Peterson finished his pro career playing his final five seasons in Atlanta and retired after the 2012 campaign with 1,220 combined tackles (896 of them solo), 21.5 sacks, 19 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles over 198 games, with 163 starts.
Fact: The only three Gators to play longer NFL careers than Peterson were Lomas Brown, Emmitt Smith and Trace Armstrong.
"I was blessed," he said.
CHARTING THE GATORS: NFL STAYING POWER Only 20 players in the history of University of Florida have gone on to play in the NFL for at least 12 years. Only seven others made it as long as Mike Peterson's 14 seasons, with a mere three lasting longer. Here's the list.
Seasons
Player
Position
Years
Games
Of note
18
Lomas Brown
Offensive line
1985-2002
263
Sixth overall pick by Detroit. Started 163 of 164 games with Lions, 7-time Pro-Bowler. Won Super Bowl XXXVII as backup with Tampa Bay in '02, then retired.
15
Trace Armstrong
Defensive end
1989-2003
211
Became the 20th player in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks (finished with 106).
Emmitt Smith
Running back
1990-2004
226
Broke Walter Payton's NFL career rushing record in 2002 and retired with 18,355. Still No. 1 all time.
14
Bobby Joe Greene
Punter
1960-73
187
Returned to UF to be volunteer kicking coach under Charley Pell and Galen Hall.
Jack Youngblood
Linebacker
1971-84
202
NFL 1970s All-Decade Team. Played 1979 NFC Championship Game with broken leg. First Gator inducted in Pro Football Hall of Fame (2001)
Shane Matthews
Quarterback
1993-2006
32
Twice named NFC Offensive Player of the Week (once with Chicago, once for Steve Spurrier in Washington).
Kevin Carter
Defensive end
1995-2008
224
No. 6 overall pick in draft. Named first-team All-Pro in '99, same season he helped St. Louis Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV. Also in 100-sack club (104.5).
Led NFL with 160 tackles in his second pro season.
13
Rick Casares
Fullback
1954-67
130
Led NFL in rushing attempts (224), yards (1,126) and touchdowns (12) and placed third in MVP voting in 1956.
John James
Punter
1972-84
187
3-time Pro Bowler who averaged 40.6 yards over his 1,083 career punts.
Nat Moore
Wide receiver
1974-86
183
Started his career alongside Paul Warfield (catching passes from Bob Griese), ended it alongside Mark Duper and Mark Clayton (catching Dan Marino). Totals 510 receptions, 7,546 yards, 74 TDs.
Fred Taylor
Running back
1998-2010
153
No. 9 overall pick by Jacksonville. Totaled nine 1,000-yard seasons (1,572 in '03), retired with 11,695 yards (No. 17 all-time) and 66 TDs.
Cooper Carlisle
Offensive line
2000-12
190
Started the last 127 games of his career, including all 95 he played as an Oakland Raider.
12
Don Chandler
Kicker
1956-67
154
Played first nine seasons with NY Giants and final three with Green Bay as kicking for the first two Super Bowl champions.
David Little
Linebacker
1981-92
179
Legendary tackling machine as a Gator, he just missed the Steelers' dynasty ... and died far too young, the victim of a weight-lifting accident in 2005 at age of 45.
Wilber Marshall
Linebacker
1984-95
179
Was a Pro-Bowler for Super Bowl champions in Chicago (1985) and Washington (1991).
Jimmy Spencer
Cornerback
1992-2003
177
Far better pro career than his time as a Gator, but he could run. Had 469 tackles and 26 career interceptions.
Reggie Nelson
Safety
2007-2018
181
First-round pick of the Jaguars, but led NFL with eight interceptions as a member of the Bengals in 2015.
Carlos Dunlap
Defensive end
2010-21
180
Played in all 17 games with Seattle last season, but was released and the spring and remains unsigned.
Joe Haden
Cornerback
2010-21
158
Maybe the best pro of the Urban Meyer era. No. 7 overall pick. Started 11 of 12 games played with Steelers last season. The 3-time Pro Bowler is currently unsigned, but expected to draw some free-agent interest this summer.
Peterson's nearly two-decade resume so impressed Muschamp, then in his third season coaching the Gators, that he found a spot for the former standout in the weight room. That's where Peterson was stationed for three years (two under Muschamp, one under Jim McElwain) and where he got the itch to do more with young players. A lot more.
"I knew I could do this," he said of coaching. "As a player, you always think about coaches needing to do this and do that. I watched them and I knew I could do it. I just thought to myself, 'This is me.' "
In 2016, Muschamp got his second head-coaching opportuny when hired at South Carolina and gave Peterson his first job as a full-time assistant. Peterson was charged with grooming the Gamecocks outside linebackers and defensive ends.
Game Day as linebackers/defensive end coach at South Carolina.
The traits he sought then are the same as now. Peterson looks for toughness, but puts an equal emphasis on intelligence and discipline. Sounds like he looks for the type of player he was, but that's not the case.
"If you're tough, smart and disciplined I can do the rest. After that, we're going to learn the game and you're going to master your craft," he said. "I don't want guys who do what I did. I'm going to find what they do best. He may not be a '10.' That might not be his max. He might be a '7,' but my job is to get the highest amount of ability out of that kid."
Muschamp lasted five seasons at USC before being fired in 2021. He was replaced by Shane Beamer, who made Peterson the lone holdover of Muschamp's staff. Peterson was there on the sidelines in Columbia last November when the Gamecocks dealt the Gators a 40-17 shellacking. Two weeks later, Florida was looking for a new coach after firing Dan Mullen.
When UF athletic director Scott Stricklin hired Napier, by way of the University of Louisiana, the new coach got a visit from an old coach-turned-ambassador of athletics. Gators coach Billy Napier
"I'd mentioned to the other coaches since I'd been here, both McElwain and Mullen, that if you get a chance to hire a former Gator who's a good coach that I hoped they'd consider doing that," said Spurrier, who had a trio of former UF players (Jerry Anderson, John Reaves and Dwayne Dixon) on his first Florida staff in 1990. "I just think it's good for all the coaches to help get a better sense of the tradition and the history at a place. Learn the alma mater. Learn 'We Are the Boys.' I think those things are important."
Napier agreed practically verbatim.
"I think it's part of my job to work to understand the history and tradition here; when it was done the right way and they experienced great success," Napier said. "What led to that? What contributed to that? Those are questions I can ask Mike because he was a part of it."
Think seeing one of their own on the sidelines carries weight rate with other former players? Does it ever.
Before Napier made the call, Peterson had heard there was mutual interest in a homecoming happening. They both did their homework before speaking to one another. The negotiation process was quick and easy.
"There wasn't too much the other place could do to keep me there," Peterson said.
His blood still pumped orange and blue.
HAPPY HOMECOMING
Peterson grew up a Gator fan, but it took him leaving the Florida family to realize how big a deal the brand really was. In NFL locker rooms, players would ask, "Did you play on that national championship team with Spurrier?" Oh yeah, Peterson would answer, and the conversation always picked up from there.
When Peterson and his family (wife Chantal and their two sons) go on vacation, he always packs a Florida T-shirt (even during his South Carolina coaching days) to represent the alma mater.
And he always responds in kind. That's what Gator Greats do. Some do more. In Peterson's case, a lot more.
In 2004, he and his wife established the Mike Peterson Foundation, an organization aimed to support underserved youth and socio-economically challenged families in Alachua and his NFL cities of Jacksonville and Atlanta. The most recent accounting showed the foundation had served over 50,000 youth and families through community event programs, including the Top Dog Readers Club literacy program at Grove Park Elementary School in Atlanta.
"He embodies everything that the Gator Nation loves, from growing up in this area to loving this place to loving football and having the opportunity come and play here and thrive. He's a success story," Blackshear said. "He commands respect. When Mike Pete talks, people listen."
Peterson definitely has a message for his players. It's not confined to football, either.
In fact, Peterson has his own "coaches creed," as he called it, the lot of which he gathered from mentors encountered during his journey through football life. The creed is three parts.
"First, every kid I have — and I'm 100 percent with this now — is going to get his degree," he said. "No. 2, though they're coming in as boys, I'm going to turn them into men. They'll learn how to tie a tie, save some money and talk to girls the right way. And No. 3, I will teach them the game of football. How to play it and how to have fun with it. Those are the three things I will stand on … and we'll have fun with it all."
"He's a Gator Great," Powell-Ryland said. "He comes with expectations already. We've got to meet those expectations every day. Work hard. Play hard. Make sure we know everything we got to do."
Yeah, that's Mike Peterson on the wall. And it didn't just "used to be" him.
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