Colleges

Meyer picks final assistant

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published December 17, 2004

GAINESVILLE - Nine days after he was introduced as football coach, Urban Meyer has filled the last open position on his nine-man staff.

On Thursday, Meyer hired North Carolina State associate head coach/wide receivers coach John "Doc" Holliday.

"We feel good about the addition of coach Holliday to our staff," Meyer said. "He brings a wealth of experience and a tremendous knowledge of the game."

Holliday spent 21 years as an assistant at West Virginia and the past five at N.C. State.

During his tenure at N.C. State, the 2003 team set school records in almost every statistical category: pass attempts (496), pass completions (357), passing yards (4,580), passing yards per game (352.3), passing TDs (35) and pass completion percentage (.720). That team also averaged 37.6 points, a school record. The Wolfpack also set various school records in each of Holliday's first three seasons and led the ACC in scoring (32.9) in 2002.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to work with coach Meyer and the staff at the University of Florida," Holliday said in a statement. "I'm thrilled to have the chance to be a part of the Gator program and I'm looking forward to coming to Gainesville."

At West Virginia, Holliday coached three of the top six receivers in Big East history and the top three career and single-season reception leaders in school history. Holliday's players include Seahawks receiver Koren Robinson and linebacker Shawn Foreman.

The 47-year-old former West Virginia letterwinner is married with four children.

NO PANIC: While a 5-2 record in mid December is nothing to scoff at, losses to Miami and then-No. 13 Louisville have some men's basketball fans wondering if the Gators are about to become another one of those teams.

You remember those Gator teams: pad the win column in November and December, then falter when SEC competition begins.

"I don't think there's any need to panic because we lost two games," junior guard Matt Walsh said. "I think we're going to be very good. Guys are going to keep developing, and we're going to keep growing as a team, offensively and defensively, and I think we're going to be a good team. I tell everyone, if anyone asks me, I say we're going to be fine. I know I'm not panicking and nobody else here is."

Florida's four-point loss to Louisville came after the Gators trailed by double digits twice and shot 18.2 percent from 3-point range. They also shot poorly in a 72-65 loss to Miami.

"Last year when we didn't shoot the ball well our average margin of loss was between 15, 16 or 17 points," coach Billy Donovan said. "This year we haven't shot the ball well in two home games, but we've still been in a position to win, which I think is encouraging."

Donovan said he believes this is a team that will get better.

"Our freshmen are going to be terrific," he said. "But the problem with our team right now is the energy and competitiveness that they have, it's all out there and the potential is there. But the thing they are lacking right now is their talent is not good enough to overtake their lack of experience."

Donovan is considering replacing junior center Adrian Moss with freshman Al Horford. Moss has struggled, playing 20 minutes against Louisville with no points and one rebound.

"I would say that's something we possibly would look at and consider," Donovan said Wednesday. "It's not a done deal yet. Al's played pretty well, Adrian's an upperclassman. I think a lot's going to dictate these next few days of practice, how things go, how guys perform. ... Because we're in football territory let me say there is no quarterback controversy here. It's a situation where if that's the best thing for our team we'll look at doing that. But it's not that big a deal to me because Adrian Moss is going to play, Al Horford is going to play and Chris Richard is going to play. We'll see what happens."

Mohamed Abukar, a 6-10 sophomore forward, met with Donovon this week seeking more playing time, but has decided to transfer. He averaged 13.4 minutes last season, but 10.3 minutes with 2.7 points this season. He played a career-high 27 minutes Dec. 20 against West Virginia.

NATIONAL EXPOSURE: The women's basketball team is scheduled to make its national television debut this season on Sunday. The Gators play at No. 6 Baylor at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.

Times staff writer Antonya English covers Florida athletics. She can be reached at 813 226-3389 or english@sptimes.com

[Last modified December 17, 2004, 00:07:19]