In his upcoming national search for a new offensive coordinator, Florida coach Will Muschamp might not have to go any further than Jacksonville, where the Gators will be preparing for the Jan. 2 Gator Bowl.
Jacksonville University coach Kerwin Bell, one of the most popular quarterbacks in Florida football history, said Thursday night he has serious interest in the job.
“Naturally, the University of Florida is my alma mater,” said Bell, who was on the road recruiting.
“It's something I've always said I'd like to do (return to Florida). I love being a head coach. It would have to be the right place (to go back and be a coordinator), and Florida is the right place.
“Will Muschamp has a personality that seems like a guy who would be great to work with. I definitely would be interested in listening. It would be great to come back to the University of Florida.”
Muschamp said Thursday that Bell is a coach who will be “under consideration” to replace Charlie Weis, who accepted the head coaching job at Kansas earlier in the day.
Not only would Bell be a popular choice among Florida supporters, he seems to have the kind of offense that fits what Muschamp wants for the Gators.
“It's a pro-style offense with full-field reads in the passing game,” Bell said of his wide-open JU offense. “We've added a little of the spread running to it to complement the passing game, but it's really a pro-style offense with multiple formations and multiple personnel. We're up-tempo.”
Bell calls his own plays at JU. In fact, he's been calling plays for the past 15 years, he said, as a quarterback in the CFL and as a head coach at Ocala Trinity Catholic High School and at JU.
Two years ago, his JU offense led the nation, rolling up almost 500 yards a game.
“I'm really proud of that,” he said. “We had a good offensive line and we ran for 200 yards a game and threw for almost 300 a game.
“What we're looking for is great balance. I knew if I could get a precision passing game and be good at it and then also be a powerful running football team that it would be the best of both worlds.”
Bell said Muschamp did not contact him about the coordinator's job a year ago. He ended up hiring Weis. But Bell said he and Muschamp have talked often over the past year.
“We've had some conversations,” Bell said.
Bell, 46, said he has the experience to be Florida's next offensive coordinator.
“I started late, but I've seen a lot of football, played a lot of it and been a part of it,” he said. “I've called plays now for about 15 years. I have a lot of experience.”
Bell was asked what it would be like if he got the opportunity to return to UF as the offensive coordinator.
“It would be great,” he said. “Any time when you've played somewhere and you have an opportunity to come back and do something else, help your university any way you can, that's exciting. I'd love to have that opportunity.”
