The Florida Gators have a pair of co-offensive coordinators coming in with Dan Mullen’s staff this season. Offensive line coach John Hevesy and wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales will share that title with head coach Dan Mullen.
Both coaches have a long history of coaching with Mullen, and were part of the Florida staffs with him under Urban Meyer. They are now back and excited to take on the challenges of bringing this offense back to prominence.
They both took the podium on Thursday to discuss their new positions with the Gators.
Here’s what they said:
John Hevesy
• Hevesy told all the players on his very first day that it was time to check all the egos.
• Hevesy, Gonzales and Mullen have worked together for so long that they have built a great trust with each other and work together well, so the co-offensive coordinator title will not cause issues.
• A lot of guys have been working on snapping the ball so that they will be ready to step in at center in case of injuries.
• Hevesy said he’s always evolving the offense based on the players he has to work with. “We’re not going to try to stick a square peg in a round hole.”
• Hevesy has started posting every players’ grades on the board in the meeting room. He’s trying to build some academic competitiveness.
• He sat down with Martez Ivey four or five times to give his thoughts on him returning for his senior season.
• Brett Heggie is on track to be back from his injury in time for for fall camp.
Billy Gonzales
• On being back at Florida: “There’s nothing more special than being able to run out of that tunnel.”
• There was no hesitation from Gonzales or his family when he got the call from Mullen to come back to Florida.
• Gonzales said Mullen is not afraid to let his assistants think outside the box.
• He has a lot of respect for Mullen and how he runs the offense. “He’s the best play caller in the nation, in my opinion.”
• On his first impressions of the players: “I think they’re really eager and hungry to be great.”
• His goal is to have a 1,000-yard receiver at Florida again.
• He is making blocking a main focus for the receivers, saying he expects them to be the best blockers in the country.
• “If they don’t want to play in the NFL, I don’t want to coach them.”
• Gonzales said this staff didn’t come to Florida to win state championships. They understand what is expected at Florida.