As football season approaches, we reached out to Florida’s three newest coaches to find out how they’re adjusting to life in Gainesville, where they go for a good meal and what they’d be doing if football hadn’t worked out, among other things. For some insights into the guys molding our 2013 Gators, read on.
Joe “Joker” Phillips, recruiting coordinator/wide-receivers coach Phillips spent three years as Kentucky’s head coach prior to joining the Gators. A wide receiver at UK from 1981-‘84, Phillips was the university’s first black head football coach. He also has coached at Cincinnati, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina.
What was your first impression of Gainesville?
It’s a nice, quiet college town with good people that love Gator football.
What do you tell recruits about Gainesville?
It’s a nice, quiet college town with good people that love Gator football.
What’s the most rewarding part of coaching?
The most rewarding part is seeing the kids have success on and off the field.
What’s the best meal you’ve had here?
Every meal at Gator Dining [Services]
If I weren’t a football coach, I’d be …A barber.
Right now, I’d run the 40 in … 5.6
The Gator I’d least like to tackle is … Jeff Driskel
The Gator I’d least like to be tackled by is …
Antonio Morrison
Steak or lobster? Steak
My personal athletic highlight is …
Beating LSU in 1983 when I played at Kentucky. I scored two touchdowns and my high school teammate scored one on defense
My hometown had bumper stickers that said: Franklin Simpson 21, LSU 13.
Game day is …Electrifying
If I could tell a young athlete one thing, it would be … Stay humble
What’s the key to recruiting?
Building relationships.
Jeff Choate, special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach
Choate comes to Florida from UTEP, where he spent one year as defensive coordinator. A linebacker at the University of Western Montana, Choate has coached at Utah State, Boise State and Washington State, among others.
What was your first impression of Gainesville?
Everything was so green.
What do you tell recruits about Gainesville?
It’s a great college town.
What’s the most rewarding part of coaching?
Seeing young men improve and reach their goals.
What’s the best meal you’ve had here?
Home cooked meal from Coach [Brent] Pease’s wife, Paula.
If I weren’t a football coach, I’d be …A history teacher.
Right now, I’d run the 40 in … 4-slow.
The Gator I’d least like to tackle is …
Loucheiz Purifoy — he would make me look silly.
The Gator I’d least like to be tackled by is … Antonio Morrison
Steak or lobster? Steak
My personal athletic highlight is …
I had an interception to seal a win my freshman year of college.
Game day is …Electric.
If I could tell a young athlete one thing, it would be …
Have the courage to live yourself as you see yourself, not as others see you.
What’s the biggest difference so far between UTEP and UF?
El Paso had better Mexican food; Gainesville has better seafood.
Brad Lawing, assistant head coach/defensive-line coach
Lawing comes to UF from South Carolina, where he spent seven years under Steve Spurrier. His 2012 defense set a school record with 43 sacks. This was Lawing’s second stint at USC. He also has coached at Appalachian State, North Carolina and Michigan State.
What was your first impression of Gainesville?
It reminded me of a bigger Chapel Hill, N.C.
What do you tell recruits about Gainesville?
It’s a great place to win championships.
What’s the most rewarding part of coaching?
Making guys better. Player development is very underrated!
What’s the best meal you’ve had here?
Ballyhoo’s. Bill Miller, my best friend in coaching, coached here (2003-04) and took me there when I visited him. It’s a great place to eat. Also, Mark’s is pretty darn good, too. My wife Laura loves that place. Awesome filet.
If I weren’t a football coach, I’d be …A baseball coach.
Right now, I’d run the 40 in … 4-slow.
Steak or lobster? Lobster.
My personal athletic highlight is …
You probably don’t want to hear this, but this is how high I hold Florida football in my mind. First, we beat UF in the Citrus Bowl when I was at Michigan State in 2000. Second, we won the SEC East at The Swamp when I was at South Carolina in 2010. Florida is the pinnacle of what our profession is. I know that I am glad to be here.
Game day is …Not always right, but never in doubt!
If I could tell a young athlete one thing, it would be … It’s what you learn after you know it all that really counts — John Wooden.
Did Steve Spurrier give you any advice about living in Gainesville?
He didn’t. He is a great coach and great person. He and his wife, Jerri, were very good to Laura and I during our seven years in Columbia. I have only positives about our time with the Head Ball Coach.
