The Back Alley Archives

ADDAZIO NAMED UF’S OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

GAINESVILE, Fla. – Steve Addazio has been named offensive coordinator for the University of Florida, Gator head coach Urban Meyer announced Saturday afternoon.

Addazio, who also served as offensive coordinator at Indiana before joining UF’s staff in 2005, has been with Coach Meyer six years (four at Florida and two at Notre Dame).

“I’m excited to keep the continuity of our play calling within our current staff,” said Meyer. “Steve has played a key role in our offense in his time at Florida. Our entire offensive staff is involved in game planning and scripting plays. As always, I will remain very involved in the offensive game plan.

“We will still run the same type of offense. We will continue to put the ball in the hands of our best players, spread the field and try to take advantage of the best matchups. Billy Gonzales, Kenny Carter and John Hevesy will continue to be involved in the offensive game planning and play calling as they have all year.”

Addazio is a 23-year coaching veteran and is completing his fourth year at Florida. He will be coaching in his ninth bowl game and has been on the coaching staff of five conference champions and will be making his second coaching appearance in a National Championship game.

“I’m honored to be named offensive coordinator,” said Addazio. “I’m extremely humbled because I know it is a group effort of our offensive staff and players that have made us successful and will continue to make us successful. Coach Meyer’s track record obviously speaks for itself with his previous coordinators.”

Addazio replaces Dan Mullen, who was hired as Mississippi State’s head coach in December. Mullen is the third former offensive coordinator under Meyer to be named head coach. (Mike Sanford Head Coach at UNLV, offensive coordinator at Utah, 2002-04; Gregg Brandon former Head Coach at Bowling Green, offensive coordinator at Bowling Green, 2001-02).

Offensive Highlights and Records set by 2008 Team

*School record 587 points scored (ranked No. 1 in SEC and No. 3 in nation)
*Only team in SEC history to score 42 or more points in seven consecutive games
*UF leads the SEC in scoring (42.4 ppg), total offense (442.2 ypg), rushing offense (229.8 ypg) and pass efficiency (174.4).
*Tim Tebow leads the SEC in pass efficiency (176.7) and Percy Harvin leads the SEC in scoring (8.73 ppg)

good for coach! good to keep the continuity and good to know that the game plan process is very much a group oriented decision and effort.

oh - and let addazio oversee mullen if meyer and company are still planning on having mullen call the game

FWIW...HB is saying he won't be surprised if Mullen is NOT calling the plays on Jan 8th.

mullen has nothing to gain by calling the game and everything to lose...his credibility

i appreciate meyer taking the high road and allowing mullen the opportunity to step down and let someone else prepare but mullen hasn't stepped down yet...so far as i know.

mullen can still be a part of it by being on the sidelines and supporting his guys...mullen should do the right thing and step down...let addazio run with it now that it's official.

just came across the espn ticker during the emerald bowl


says addazio got promoted and that mullen is sticking around to call plays during the bcs national championship game

mullen sticking around may or may not turn out to be true, but the info they are going on is the info that is now about a week old.

Mullen was supposed to report back yesterday, and from what I can discern, has not yet done so.

It'll be interested to see if ADDAZIO gets the BC job.

supposedly, their DC (or is it OC...can't remember) is the front man for the job. Addazio is another hat on the table.