Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Shane Matthews, Emmitt Smith, Rex Grossman



Steve Spurrier, or as he is is more affectionately known to the Gator Nation, "The Ole Ball Coach", is a Gator Legend. After playing at the University of Florida and winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy, Spurrier moved on to the N.F.L. where he played nine years. After a stint at coaching in the U.S.F.L. and at Duke, Spurrier returned to UF where he went on to become the winningest coach in school history.

Steve Spurrier Facts and Records:
1966 Heisman Trophy winner. 1967 NFL draft first-round selection.
Played for San Francisco 49ers (1967-75) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1976).
Three-time SEC Coach of the Year
Two-time ACC Coach of the Year with Duke.
Won at least nine games in each of his 12 seasons at Florida, one of only three coaches in major college history with that record. Averaged 10 games per season.
Ranked in the top 15 nationally in each of his 12 seasons at Florida, including nine Top 10 finishes, five Top 5s and an average final ranking of 6.8.
Appeared in a bowl game in each of his last 11 seasons, one of only five schools with that record.
Spurrier is the only major college coach to win as many as 120 games in his first 12 seasons at one school (122-27-1 at Florida from 1990-2001).
One of only two coaches in major college history to win 10 or more games in six consecutive seasons (1993-98).
Four-time finalist for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year award.
Holds the SEC record for career winning percentage in conference games (minimum of five years as head coach) with an 87-14 record (.861).
Ranks third all-time in SEC in overall winning percentage (minimum five years as head coach) at .816.


Danny Wuerffel is best known for leading the Gators to their only National Championship in 1996, while winning the Heisman Trophy. Wuerffel thrived in Spurrier's Fun-N-Gun offense and finished his Gator career with 114 touchdown passes. He completed 207 of 360 passes for 3,625 yards and 39 touchdowns as he led the Gators to the title in his senior season.


Shane Matthews led Florida to SEC Championships in 1990 and 1991, earning SEC Player of the Year honors in each season and finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy balloting as a junior. Matthews set 50 University of Florida records and 19 SEC marks in three years at QB. He finished his career with 9,287 yards passing on 1,202 attempts with 74 touchdowns. As the starting QB, he led the Gators to a 28-8 record, including 19-4 in the SEC and 18-0 at home.


An All-America and three time All-SEC selection at Florida, Smith set 58 school records in his three seasons at Florida, including a career rushing record of 3,928 yards. He surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in his seventh game, earlier than any player in college football history. He also became the second freshman to finish in the top 10 in the Heisman Trophy balloting, earning Freshman of the Year honors from UPI and The Sporting News. In 1989, he set a school single-game rushing mark with 316 yards against New Mexico on his way to a school-record 1,599 yards rushing for the season. In three seasons, he became the fifth leading all-time rusher in SEC history and led the Gators in receiving two-of-the-three seasons.


Leaving school after his redshirt junior season, Grossman still amassed many records as a Florida Gator. In 2002, Grossman set school records with 503 attempts in a season, 287 completions in a season, and 561 plays in total offense. In his sophomore season, Grossman finished second in the Heisman voting and was a First Team All-American as well as A.P. SEC offensive player of the year.

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