In addition to preparing for his program’s biggest bowl game in three years, Florida coach Will Muschamp has a lot to sort out before his team heads to New Orleans.
The Gators, third in the BCS standings at 11-1, will work in Gainesville this week to prepare for the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2 against Louisville. They will break for Christmas, then fly out next Thursday to begin practices at the Superdome.
In the meantime, there are pressing personnel issues. Muschamp will discuss future plans with players who are considering transferring or leaving early for the NFL Draft and manage a staff transition.
Matt Elam, a safety, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett — both from Dwyer High School — are two potential departures. Elam, a junior, was named an all-America selection last week and is a strong candidate to turn pro. Brissett is behind fellow true sophomore Jeff Driskel and might need to move if he wants to start.
Willie Bailey, a true freshman cornerback from Hallandale, already decided to transfer, though Muschamp had no other roster changes to report.
“We’re good right now,” he said. “Obviously after the bowl game you sit down and evaluate where a young man is, but right now we’re good to go.”
As for the juniors who could jump to the NFL, he added, “We’ll address that at the appropriate time, which is after the bowl game.”
Elam and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd are projected as first- or second-round picks if they go. Linebacker Jelani Jenkins, tight end Jordan Reed and defensive tackle Dominique Easley are other juniors who might leave. Defensive end Ronald Powell is eligible and could be an attractive prospect, but missed the entire season with a torn ACL and is likely to stay.
Jenkins, who suffered three significant injuries this year, recently underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot and will not play against Louisville (10-2, No. 21 in the BCS). True freshman Antonio Morrison started two games in his place and is on track to fill his spot in the Sugar Bowl.
Beyond roster attrition and lineup changes, some key Gators need the bowl break to restore their health. Driskel missed time in November with a badly sprained right ankle. Senior running back Mike Gillislee, the team’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2004, endured a slew of bruises through 235 carries, which is more than he totaled in his first three seasons combined.
“It’s really important for them to get away and decompress a little bit from football,” Muschamp said. “I don’t like focusing too early on bowl games because I think the players get very stale with the preparation.”
The coaches have been breaking down Louisville video since the bowl announcement. Players will begin working on the Cardinals’ schemes Tuesday.
Staff-wise, Muschamp continues to receive calls from other schools interested in luring his assistants. Both coordinators, Brent Pease on offense and Dan Quinn on defense, were mentioned in connection with head-coaching searches, and some position coaches seem ready to move up to coordinator jobs.
“We’ve got a good staff and a lot of people want them to coach at their place, but we’re very content here and feel like we’ll have our full staff intact as we move forward,” Muschamp said.
He filled his only vacancy two weeks ago by hiring former Kentucky head coach Joker Phillips to be his receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. Phillips has been recruiting for UF since his arrival, but will not coach in the Sugar Bowl.
Instead, graduate assistant Bush Hamdan will handle that responsibility. Hamdan, 26, served as interim assistant coach following Aubrey Hill’s abrupt resignation in August and was a contender to win the job full time. Muschamp felt he earned the right to finish the season.
Phillips will evaluate the bowl practices and the game, giving the returning receivers one more thing to think about as they get ready for Louisville.
“I told the receivers, you’ve got a month audition,” Muschamp said. “You have 15 practices to go play really well and give a great first impression for your future position coach.”
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