Now that he is retired, Steve Spurrier is having an increasing role with the Florida Gators.
The school announced Friday Spurrier has been named ambassador and consultant for the Gators athletic department.
Last month, UF named the football field after Spurrier, who was a Heisman-winning quarterback and championship-winning coach with the Gators.
"It's a great day for the Gator Nation to be able to welcome Coach Spurrier back home," UF's outgoing athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement. "He has served as a tremendous ambassador to the University and the athletic department for 50-plus years and it's only fitting that at this point in his career, he is back in Gainesville. Being a Gator has always meant so much to Coach Spurrier, but it means just as much to us have him come home."
UF coach Jim McElwain is equally excited.
McElwain has enjoyed getting to know Spurrier and lamented at the SEC spring meetings in Destin that Spurrier was not there. Spurrier, 71, retired last October amid his 11th season as South Carolina's head coach.
"I look forward to visiting with him on a lot of occasions and picking his brain on a number of issues," McElwain said. "It's a credit to Jeremy to get him back home where he belongs. More than anything I look forward to actually talking to him and being around him rather than just saying hello to his statue on my way to work every day."
Spurrier arrived at UF in 1963 from Johnson City, Tenn., and in 1966 became the first of three Heisman-winning quarterbacks at the school. Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow would join him. Statues of all three are located on the west side of the Swamp, the nickname Spurrier gave to Florida Field.
Spurrier's teams were 68-5 at home and 122-27-1 overall during his 12 seasons at UF, winning six SEC titles and the 1996 national title. He finished his college coaching career with a record of 228-89-2.
"My wife, Jerri, and I are extremely thrilled to be returning home to our alma mater, and to Gainesville where we met on campus over 50 years ago," Spurrier said. "I'm very appreciative to athletic director Jeremy Foley, head coach Jim McElwain and Phil Pharr of Gator Boosters for their role in making this happen.
"I admire what Coach McElwain and his staff accomplished last year. I'm anxious to watch the Gator football team as they strive to be the best in the SEC and the nation in the years ahead."
