Florida coaching update: Spurrier to stay out of hiring process
Former Florida and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has had plenty to say about the replacement process for Jim McElwain at Florida.
Spurrier, however, won’t be making a recommendation for the next Gators coach, according to a comment he posted Wednesday afternoon on Twitter.
I am not recommending anyone for the job. We all have complete confidence that Scott Stricklin will make the best choice for our school - and we will support his decision 100 percent. https://t.co/GREyvfIfFW
— Coach Steve Spurrier (@SteveSpurrierUF) November 15, 2017
In an appearance on the Buddy Martin Radio Show last week, Spurrier suggested the replacement for McElwain already has a coaching job. He said he believes the Gators will have “an excellent coach here in three to four weeks.”
That information contradicts reports this week that former Oregon and NFL coach Chip Kelly could take over as Florida coach sooner rather than later.
Kelly is out of football and working for ESPN as an analyst.
According to Football Scoop, Spurrier said of the Gators’ leading candidate: “The coach is with his team now. The coach we’re going to hire is probably, I would almost 100 percent say is coaching his team today, this weekend, and through the end of the season, and maybe through the bowl game.”
Kelly as the top candidate at Florida gained traction this week, especially after a report that the SEC would not block Kelly’s entrance to the conference if Florida wanted to hire him.
This story was originally published November 15, 2017 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Florida coaching update: Spurrier to stay out of hiring process."