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Florida's AD visits with Broncos coach Mike Shanahan in his search to fill Gator opening.
By Times wire and staff reports
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 8, 2002
GAINESVILLE -- Former Florida football coach Steve Spurrier isn't big on giving advice, but he did have some sage words for his close friend and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.
"The only thing I said to Bobby was you've got to do what you think is best," Spurrier said.
Apparently, what is best for Stoops is to remain at Oklahoma.
After several days of rampant speculation that Stoops had been offered the job and would succeed Spurrier, the former Gators defensive coordinator decided to stay at Oklahoma.
Stoops denied he had been offered the job to replace Spurrier.
"Too many rumors were out there," he said during a news conference in Norman, Okla. "I've heard figures and dollar amounts, and none of that is true. We never talked whatsoever about a contract, nor have I with Oklahoma.
"I've heard other issues -- why I was going, why I wasn't. All false. The bottom line was I feel too strong about what this program has, where we're going and what the future looks like."
That decision sent Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley to Denver to talk with Broncos coach Mike Shanahan.
Foley was scheduled to fly to New Orleans today to meet with Saints defensive coordinator Ron Zook, Florida Today reported. Zook was an assistant with the Gators from 1991-95.
Waiting anxiously back in Gainesville are a handful of players, including quarterback Rex Grossman, who wants to see whom the Gators hire to replace Steve Spurrier before they commit to coming back next season. Friday is the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft.
Foley would love to make a hire by Friday, as well -- not only for the sake of the players who are already Gators, but because recruiting begins again in earnest on Saturday.
Foley traveled to Norman early Monday to talk to the Sooners coach. When it was over, Stoops had decided to stay, although he denied reports he had negotiated a new contract for a fat raise.
When he arrived in Denver, Foley started working on Shanahan, who became friends with the athletic director during his four seasons as offensive coordinator at Florida in the early 1980s.
Shanahan's contract pays about $4-million a year and he would almost certainly take a pay cut. He has a new house in Denver, and his reputation is still strong, even though the Broncos have had three straight disappointing seasons on the heels of two straight Super Bowl titles.