Steve Spurrier Recommends Matt McCall For UTC Coaching Job

   Maybe the biggest cheers for Matt McCall getting the UTC job came from his former boss, Florida coach Billy Donovan.

Said Mocs athletic director David Blackburn,"Billy Donovan could not stop saying enough great things about what Matt had done, and what Matt can do, and will do."

Said McCall,"The things he has done for me and my family and my career, I’m indebted to the guy for the rest of my life. Going back to Coach Donovan, some of those other (coaching) opportunities, he had question marks on. And when this opportunity came, there were no question marks by him."

  McCall’s father played football at Florida with Steve Spurrier. 

And the ole ballcoach even called Mocs A-D David Blackburn to recommend McCall for the job.

So McCall has some references, and he’s got some enthusiasm.

Said Blackburn,"He has an energy that stems not just from energy, but it stems from passion."

   Sounds like McCall will try and translate his energy to his players.

Said McCall,"We want to play fast. We want to press. We want to get up and down. We are going to take advantage of the three-point lane. I think it’s the greatest equalizer in college basketball, and I think it’s fun."

Added Mocs center Justin Tuoyo,"I’m excited to get started. He’s eager, and I’m eager as well. We both want to win, so it should a good fit for us."

  Now Florida did struggle a bit last season, but McCall says the experience proved to invaluable from a coaching standpoint.

"I learned more in last year’s season with last year’s team than I had in the two or three previous years at the University of Florida. So I think now, with the opportunity that presents itself, where I’m at as a coach, I know I’m ready."