The University of Florida will welcome back Steve Spurrier ... the man who put Gators football on the map.
Spurrier, who won a Heisman as a player and then came back and coached Florida to glory — picking at, poking fun at and beating rivals Tennessee, the rest of the SEC and Florida State all the while — has been named Ambassador and Consultant for the Florida Gators Athletic Department, Jeremy Foley announced on Friday.
"It's a great day for the Gator Nation to be able to welcome Coach Spurrier back home," Foley said. "He has served as a tremendous ambassador to the University and the athletic department for 50-plus years and it's only fitting that at this point in his career, he is back in Gainesville. Being a Gator has always meant so much to Coach Spurrier, but it means just as much to us have him come home."
He's back! #WelcomeHomeHBC
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) July 29, 2016
Spurrier rejoins #Gators as Ambassador and Consultant.
📰: https://t.co/0RhdYFvvYu pic.twitter.com/E6GZMguG6u
"My wife, Jerri, and I are extremely thrilled to be returning home to our alma mater, and to Gainesville where we met on campus over 50 years ago," Spurrier said. "I'm very appreciative to Athletic Director Jeremy Foley, Head Coach Jim McElwain and Phil Pharr of Gator Boosters for their role in making this happen.
The Gators already renamed their football field after Spurrier, calling it Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Now, he might just be at every home game.
Spurrier is the program’s first Heisman Trophy winner (1966) and the coach who led the Gators to their first national championship (1996). He already has a Heisman statue outside the stadium and is a member of the program’s exclusive ring of honor.
Spurrier also nicknamed the stadium “The Swamp.” The Gators went 122-27-1 in 12 seasons under Spurrier, including 68-5 at home and won six Southeastern Conference titles.
Spurrier retired from coaching during the 2015 season in his 11th season at South Carolina. He finished his career with a record of 228-89-2 (.718) as a collegiate head coach.
