Steve Spurrier is going home. On Friday morning, Florida's athletic department announced that the former Florida Gator quarterback and head coach would be returning to Gainesville, Fla. and given an official title within the athletic department, as an Ambassador and Consultant.
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"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."
Spurrier himself also released a statement with the announcement.
"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 Head Ball Coach, whose UF career started in 1963 when he came to Gainesville as a quarterback, rejoined the Gators as head coach in 1990. He made the program into what it is today by winning the school's first SEC title in 1991. He went on to be named SEC Coach of the Year five times at Florida, and led the Gators to six conference titles. In addition, he helped UF claim its first national title with a 52-20 win over Florida State in the 1997 Sugar Bowl.
Current head coach Jim McElwain also addressed Spurrier's new role in Gainesville in the official release.
"I look forward to visiting with him on a lot of occasions and picking his brain on a number of issues," said UF Head Coach Jim McElwain. "It's a credit to Jeremy to get him back home where he belongs. More than anything I look forward to actually talking to him and being around him rather than just saying hello to his statue on my way to work every day."
Given how much Spurrier means to both the University of Florida and the city of Gainesville, it's only fitting that he returns to enjoy his retirement while assisting the athletic department.
