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Florida Gators announce hiring of Brent Pease as offensive coordinator

 
Published Jan. 12, 2012

GAINESVILLE — About 12 years ago when Florida coach Will Muschamp was an assistant at Valdosta State and Brent Pease was coaching at Northern Arizona, the two went head-to-head on the recruiting trail for a kid named Vincent "Sweet Pea" Burns from Lowndes County, Ga.

When Pease got Burns to commit, Muschamp knew he was a solid recruiter. Six years at Boise State have proven Pease is an excellent offensive mind.

Both helped convince the Florida coach that Pease was the "perfect fit" for Florida. When Muschamp officially announced Pease's hiring on Wednesday he said the Gators have "made themselves better."

Pease, 47, is a 21-year coaching veteran who was receivers coach at Boise State for five years and offensive coordinator for one. His 11 years as an offensive coordinator have included stops at his alma mater, Montana (1996-98), Northern Arizona (1999-2000), Kentucky (2001-02) and Baylor (2003-05).

"I want to be multiple in our offensive formations and have a balanced attack with tempo," Pease said. "I firmly believe in being fundamentally sound and red-zone efficient. I want to develop our players in a pro-style offense that can help them at the next level."

Florida running backs coach Brian White, who served as offensive coordinator for the Gator Bowl and interviewed for the job, will remain on staff.

Around the nation

GRIFFIN DECLARES: Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III made it official, announcing he would skip his senior season at Baylor to enter the NFL draft.

LOOPHOLE CLOSED: The NCAA broadened the definition of agents to include parents, closing the loophole that allowed Auburn quarterback Cam Newton to keep playing despite his father's pay-for-play scheme.

PEASE'S SUCCESSOR: Boise State coach Chris Petersen made assistant Robert Prince the offensive coordinator to replace Pease.

ARIZONA: Longtime West Virginia defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel is reuniting with old boss Rich Rodriguez, who also named David Lockwood as defensive backs coach, Bill Kirelawich as defensive line coach and Spencer Leftwich as tight ends coach.

ILLINOIS: LSU wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales accepted the offensive coordinator's job under new coach Tim Beckman.

IOWA: Running back Marcus Coker played the final five regular-season games while police were investigating an allegation that he sexually assaulted a woman. Charges were never filed. The sophomore, 19, left the program this week.

KANSAS: Coach Charlie Weis hired Clint Bowen as a special teams coordinator and defensive assistant, and Jeff Blasko, a quality control coach for the offense under Weis at Florida, as assistant special teams coordinator and tight ends coach.

PENN STATE: South Carolina special teams coach John Butler is leaving after one season to join new coach Bill O'Brien.

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TEXAS TECH: Art Kaufman was named defensive coordinator by former boss Tommy Tuberville.

Information from Times wires was used in this report. Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.