INTRIGUING NEW OC FOR GATORS

Of the many new plot lines for Gator Football this coming seasoson, the dramatic change in the Offensive Coordinator coaching position is one of the most intriguing. At first glance the Gators go from a self-promoting, incompetent, in-over-his-head, career damaging (Tim Tebow), career destroying (John Brantley,Urban Meyer), meathead  (Steve Addazio) to one of the most accomplished offensive minds in the game (Charlie Weis). From a guy who parlayed a middling career as an offensive line coach into a position of commanding the fabled Florida Gator offense, then taking that offense, along with careers of John Brantley and Urban Meyer down into the depths of the Atlantic to a guy who helped to groom a player who will go down as of the greatest NFL QB's  of all-time (Tom Brady), while directing an offense that picked up 3 Super Bowl rings. What a dramatic step up....at least on the surface. A closer look, however, produces a more somber perspective. For example, Weis' greatest successes have taken place in the professional ranks; the NFL and college football are dramatically different, to the point of being almost two different games. In Gainesville Weis won't be teaching his complex pro-style offense to professional, experienced men, but to teenagers and college kids, some of them immature and others still learning to develop a professional work ethic off-the-field while balancing the rigors of college life, the Gainesville "social scene" and the challenge of being away from home for the first time. The new OC with the gold-plated resume will also be living in a much different geographical/cultural milieu. Will Weis, a self-proclaimed "Jersey Guy" known for his gruff exterior who has spent the bulk of his life and career in the Northeast be comfortable coaching college kids in the rural small town South? I mean, Gainesville ain't exactly South Beach...or even Tampa or Orlando, for that matter. It is important to note that even though Weis did not ultimately succeed at Notre Dame as head coach, his offense was consistently highly productive and he groomed two QB's who were early round NFL draft choices.

How will Charlie Weis do as Florida Gator Offensive Coordinator? Will he produce a newer, more high-tech 21st Century version of the exciting, high flying offense that has characterized Florida Football, for the most part, since Steve Spurrier's arrival as a Soph QB in 1964? Or will he struggle to adjust to a different social/cultural/regional climate while attempting the difficult process of teaching young college players the nuances of his sophisticated, professional system?  Like just about every other aspect of the dramatic recent changes in Florida Gator Football; only time will tell.