Conflicting reports point to uncertain future for Steve Addazio
Steve Addazio almost certainly won't be offensive coordinator at Florida next season. (Getty Images photo)
As Florida and Texas wait to announce coaching staffs, rumors continue to swirl about the coach swapping that might happen between the two schools.
Shortly after Will Muschamp’s hiring at Florida, a move that left the Longhorns without a defensive coordinator, reports indicated that Gators’ DC Teryl Austin would take the job.
More than a week later, that still has not been confirmed. Austin is on the media schedule for the Gators’ Jan. 1 trip to the Outback Bowl, although that likely wouldn’t preclude him from taking the job at Texas. The Longhorns did not qualify for a bowl and head coach Mack Brown is taking his time filling in his staff.
Tuesday a report from OrangeBloods.com says that offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will be hired as the Longhorns’ offensive line coach. A Texas spokesman denied that anyone has been offered jobs, and the report contradicts one from the weekend that Addazio is a candidate to fill the vacant head coaching position at Temple.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, which initially reported that Addazio was interviewing with the Owls, reported today:
“A source said it was unclear whether Addazio withdrew from consideration to replace Al Golden or was told that the university was looking in another direction.”
Addazio has not returned calls from the Sentinel since Urban Meyer resigned, and with rumors continuing to emerge, it would seem unlikely that he will.
Here’s what we can reasonably guess about the future for Addazio and Austin:
– Muschamp has said that he would like an offensive coordinator with pro and college experience. Addazio has never coached on the pro level. Given Muschamp’s defensive experience, the offensive coordinator position is arguably the most important to fill. That the Florida offense struggled throughout much of the season and Addazio remains unpopular with fans, it seems unlikely to impossible that he’d be back in this position.
– Austin remains a more viable candidate to go to Texas. His credentials (seven years as an NFL coach, 13 at the college level) are almost identical to the qualifications listed in the job description from Texas (seven and 12 years, respectively). While the Gators were down this year, the defense was at times one of the team’s strengths. Florida ranks ninth in total defense nationally. This year was Austin’s first in Gainesville and first as a defensive coordinator after coaching defensive backs throughout his career. Muschamp said he’s not determined if he will run the defense or hire a coordinator, two options that likely exclude Austin.
No decisions on either staff are expected soon.
Leave a Reply
Please use theregistration to leave a Reply