Atlanta, GA (WLTX) Here in Atlanta, nearby lightning forces coach Mike Muschamp and his team to do their spring practice drills indoors.
“You’re blocking man-on-man no matter where the guy goes, that’s the man you block!” Mike Muschamp chants into his players' ear.
Less than six months ago Mike’s youngest brother, Will, called to talk about his latest job offer as the new coach at the University of South Carolina.
“It was right before Christmas time and he called and said it was his and we were thrilled to death for him.”
An opportunity to coach again that some may not have predicted to come so fast after his final days as head coach of the Florida Gators.
“He loves doing it, obviously, why not jump back in, go to Auburn & this opportunity came along to be head coach again particularly in the SEC very few people who have been head coach one time let alone twice.”
Will Muschamp is highly regarded for his detailed defensive mind and also known for his fire and passion on the sidelines… His best friend in high school, Jason Jones says that intensity didn’t just happen…
“Was he as intense then as he is now? Yeah. That intensity level was as big as it could be and it was contagious it was infectious.”
His brother says it might have been as simple as birth order.
“We were physically bigger, so we took it out on him pretty regularly, but he never backed down, he kept playing I think that’s what got him to where he is now. That foundation of competitiveness.”
And Muschamp himself makes no apologies…
“You learn to fight that’s one thing being the youngest of three, but at the end of the day having a competitive edge is important and I want our guys to have a competitive edge.”
That edge has never dulled-- even two seasons ago when Will Muschamp publicly struggled in his final days as head coach of the Florida Gators. Muschamp fired after a loss to Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks that put them in a 4 and 5 season record. But what many people didn’t know was his private struggle. It was just a few months before Will Muschamp faced the loss of his father—the father he always turned to.
“It was really difficult from the standpoint of always having an ear. He always listened, and he understood and he understood me very well and what my passions my energies, my faults were as much as anything he was just a great ear for me.” says Will Muschamp.
Mike Muschamp says, “Devastating, he and my dad had a great relationship. They developed a tremendous kinship. Football bonded them together. And when dad passed away it was very hard for Will. It was hard for all of us.”
And Will adds, "When you’re in the position I’m in there’s 80-thousand experts on gameday that have zero idea about what you do and the job you have and what’s in front o fyou and what you have to do within an organization but he understood a lot that a lot of people didn’t and we certainly miss him.”
Larry Muschamp was a beloved teacher, principal and coach . His sons now share his legacy.
“Will has great communication, he’s got a great vision, but they embrace that with him and his kids at South Carolina want to be part of that. Will has a great knack for doing that in a way, ‘hey I want to be part of that’ and I think that’s important and that’s something that came from my dad.”
And translates into his known success to recruit top players.
“There’s no doubt that part of being able to recruit is building trust and building relationships with people, but you also build up credibility over a period of time.”
And friends say what you see in the press conferences and on the sidelines IS genuine Will Muschamp, but there’s also something you don’t see on gameday.
“He’s a funny guy and he’s always a ton of fun to hang out with and you know when you hang out with Will you’re going to have fun.” said Jason Jones.
A look back in time to the football player from Rome Georgia… where his senior quote was from the Television show “Cheers”.
“My dad and I watched the show together I had forgotten about that quote.”
Christine Gallagher: “Cause now you are the guy that everybody knows your name.”
Will Muschamp: “That’s good and bad (laughing)”
Now it’s Will's father’s words that stay with him and guide him on and off the field.
“10-percent of life is what happens to you and 90 percent how you deal with it. I live by that.”