Sports | Football - The Independent Florida Alligator

Treon Harris drops back to pass during Florida's 28-20 win in the Birmingham Bowl against East Carolina on Jan. 3 at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Doug Nussmeier excited for quarterback competition

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 11, 2015

Doug Nussmeier has his hands full.

Kansas State head football coach Bill Snyder, right, speaks as from left, Brian Bosworth, Bob Breunig, Reese Davis and Lincoln Kennedy laugh during a news conference announcing the 2015 College Football Hall of Fame Class on Jan. 9, 2015, in Dallas.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Wes Chandler inducted into college football hall of fame

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 9, 2015

For the 11th time in school history, and the fifth time in the past 10 years, the Florida Gators have an inductee in the college football hall of fame.

New head football coach Jim McElwain speaks at his opening press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Collins prepping Florida's 'psycho' defense

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 8, 2015

Geoff Collins is a psycho — or at least, that’s the name given to his brand of aggressive defense. "The psycho defense" is ready to be installed as Collins and the rest of the Gators staff officially took over with a team meeting Monday night and the defensive assistant coaches met with the media Thursday.

Randy Shannon speaks during a mdia avilability on Thursday

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Randy Shannon eager for fresh start coaching UF football team

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Jan. 8, 2015

On a cold Thursday morning in Gainesville, new associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator Randy Shannon met with reporters wearing a windbreaker sporting a Gator head logo on it.

New head football coach Jim McElwain following his introductory press conference on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: McElwain looking for right fit at wide receivers coach

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 7, 2015

Jim McElwain’s staff is still one short.

Demarcus Robinson (center) and Jalen Tabor (right) hold the Birmingham Bowl trophy while Gerald Willis looks on

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Freshman Gerald Willis to transfer from Florida

Jan. 6, 2015

Gerald Willis is no longer a member of the Florida football team.

Antonio Morrison attempts a tackle during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Nov. 1, 2014.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Linebacker returning for senior year

Jan. 6, 2015

Antonio Morrison said on UF’s athletic website Tuesday that he plans to return for his senior season.

Caleb Brantley watches as linebacker Antonio Morrison is carted off the field during Florida's 28-20 win in the Birmingham Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Antonio Morrison injures knee in Birmingham Bowl

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 5, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Antonio Morrison went down hard on Saturday.

D.J. Humphries holds up the Birmingham Bowl trophy following Florida's 28-20 win against East Carolina on Saturday at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Humphries declares for NFL Draft; Bullard to return to UF

Jan. 5, 2015

D.J. Humphries will not be returning for his senior season.

Adam Lane rushes for a touchdown during Florida's 28-20 win in the Birmingham Bowl against East Carolina on Jan. 3 at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Underclassmen show promise in Birmingham Bowl victory

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 5, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Heading into Florida’s meeting with East Carolina in Saturday’s Birmingham Bowl, the Gators’ mentality could have been questioned.

New head football coach Jim McElwain speaks at his introductory press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain revamps football coaching staff, makes hires

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 5, 2015

Florida introduced Jim McElwain as its next head coach on Dec. 6 and has since wasted no time putting together his coaching staff.

Max Garcia snaps the ball during Florida's 28-20 win against East Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl on Saturday at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Max Garcia cherishes time at UF after transferring from Maryland

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 5, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In many ways, offensive lineman Max Garcia can be considered an exception to the rule.

Adam Lane rushes into the end zone for a touchdown during Florida's 28-20 win against East Carolina on Jan. 3 in the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

KEEP GOING: Florida tops East Carolina in Birmingham Bowl

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 3, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Heading into Saturday’s Birmingham Bowl matchup against East Carolina, there were questions whether Florida still had any fight left in them this season.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain previews future of Florida football program before Birmingham Bowl

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Jan. 3, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — While Florida is putting the last nail in the coffin of the Will Muschamp era playing in the Birmingham Bowl, the Jim McElwain one is just getting underway.

UF interim head coach D.J. Durkin speaks during a press conference at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, on Friday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Mike Taylor, Max Garcia express respect for interim coach Durkin

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 2, 2015

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Respect is not given, it is earned. If you listen to the players D.J. Durkin coaches, respect for their interim headman oozes from them. That’s the ultimate goal for a coach according to Durkin.

Dante Fowler hypes up the crowd during Florida's 23-20 overtime loss to South Carolina at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Bowl game provides Gators opportunity to showcase skills

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 31, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Every practice is another opportunity to improve.

Redshirt senior wide receiver Andre Debose returns a punt for a touchdown during the first quarter of Florida's 30-27 loss to LSU at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Debose, Cummings did not make bowl game trip

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 31, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Two UF seniors saw their collegiate football careers come to an end one game early.

UF athletics director Jeremy Foley listens as Jim McElwain gives his press conference on Dec. 6, 2014, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Doug Nussmeier named Florida's next offensive coordinator

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 23, 2014

Florida coach Jim McElwain hired Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier to the same position, UF announced Wednesday.

Florida defensive coordinator D. J. Durkin draws up a play for Buck linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. during Florida's win against Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Durkin, Gators preparing for Birmingham Bowl

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Dec. 18, 2014

The season of head coaching searches has given way to the transitional season around the Florida football program.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

McElwain hires Geoff Collins as defensive coordinator

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Dec. 16, 2014

New coach Jim McElwain has made his first hire. Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins has been picked for the same position at Florida, the school announced Wednesday and he will replace current defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin following Florida’s final game of the season in the Birmingham Bowl Jan. 3.