Tim Tebow is one of the greatest players in the history of Florida's program and in college football history, so he naturally has an opinion about the vacant head coaching position at Florida.
Tebow, now an analyst with SEC Network, was on ESPN's First Take, and he outlined what his ideal coaching candidate at Florida would look like.
"I think what Florida needs is Florida needs someone who has a very big personality," Tebow said via 247Sports. "They're very engrained in their beliefs, they're not going to be a coach that wavers.
"Maybe a first time big-time head coach, because when you take a look at the Florida program, it's a great program. It's a program that can ascend very quickly to the top few in college football, but also what it is, it is a very hot seat. Whoever this coach is, they have to be able to handle the heat, because there is a lot of heat."
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"You take a look at the best coaches of all time — Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer — both of those coaches were worn out because it's such a hot seat, and both of them decided on their own to step down and then go to another program because it is very tough," Tebow said. "And, I think when you take a look at everything, it's a great job, but it's going to take a man with conviction, with heart, with passion, and that's not going to waver because that's a hot seat. And, they expect not just to win, but compete for championships every year. That's why I think, this go around, they find the right person."
Tebow didn't give any specific names, but a coach like current UCF coach Scott Frost certainly fits that profile. It would be his first high profile coaching job, and his Golden Knights have one of the best offenses in the country.
Dan Mullen was Tebow's offensive coordinator at Florida through his junior year, and Mullen has had plenty of success at Mississippi State. The Florida offense wasn't nearly as efficient without Mullen in 2009, and Mullen knows what's expected and what it takes to win at Florida and in the SEC.
Beyond those two, it's unclear how many coaches fit the profile Tebow described. Chip Kelly is a name that's been tossed around often, but he certainly doesn't have a big personality.
This coaching search will be very intriguing, and new athletic director Scott Stricklin will have plenty of pressure on him for his first major hire.
(h/t Saturday Down South)
