Muschamp’s excitement extended to the players

A handful of Florida Gators were available for comment after head coach Will Muschamp’s introductory press conference on Wednesday. Here is what they said:

Junior running back Jeff Demps

On his impression of Muschamp: “I think that helps out a lot to have that players’ coach. Guys that you want to be around, you want them to have that high-energy. The team feed off the coaches, and that’ll be great.”

On what Muschamp said to them an hour earlier: “Basically the same stuff, but he went into a lot more detail, obviously.”

On if he’s pumped for next year: “Yeah, I’m very excited. He’s a high-energy guy.”

On concerns about the offense changing: “It was a little concerning at first because we was just running around like a chicken with our head cut off not knowing what’s going on. But to sit down and actually talk with him, having a conversation with him, know he’s a real, great coach and he told us that it would be in his best ability to bring in the best guy he feels can help turn this offense around. So I’m not really worried anymore.”

On former head coach Urban Meyer remaining involved: “It helps out a lot because if we have a question that we feel like we can’t talk to coach Muschamp as soon as possible, we know we can still fall back on coach Meyer – he’ll maybe have an answer to it.”

Redshirt junior quarterback John Brantley

On meeting Muschamp for the first time: “We were real excited to have a chance to meet him. He approached the team like any other head coach would, with a lot of confidence. He told us our plans, how to finish out this season. I think he’s going to be a great fit for here, the University of Florida.”

Freshman QB Trey Burton

On the team’s excitement level: “Yeah, real excited. We’re all real excited as team, so we got to take it and ride with it.”

On if it is hard to have a new head coach so early in his career: “It’s tough but it comes with the job. You got to know when you’re going to a school that it’s possible you [won’t] know who your coach is the next day. Coaches change all the time.”

On winning the 2011 Outback Bowl: “He’s a Hall of Fame coach, one of the best coaches ever to play college football. That’s our main goal: to get him out here with a win, especially against coach [Joe] Paterno.”

On his thoughts about Mickey Marotti returning: “Coach Mick’s an awesome coach, he gets the best out of you. I think we’re all looking forward to him staying.”

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Frankie Hammond, Jr.

On Muschamp: “Everybody embraces him. I feel like he has a tremendous history at Florida, being from here. It gives you definitely a little more comfort knowing he knows the expectations, the traditions and everything that goes on in the university.”

On Muschamp’s speech: “As he was talking, I just found out that he had a lot of history at Florida. That definitely was a plus, him knowing the traditions and being at some of the games. That definitely made me feel a little more comfortable.”

On what the team is focused on: “It’s been kind of hectic, but we are just focused on the bowl game and sending Coach Meyer out the right way. You want to end on a positive note. [Having Coach Muschamp around[ probably might make practice – amp it up just a little bit – knowing that he’s out there. That definitely will help out.”

Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Jaye Howard

On being coached by Muschamp after he recruited him to Auburn: “I really wanted him to be my coach and now he’s my coach.”

Redshirt sophomore cornerback Jeremy Brown

On Muschamp: “He’s definitely a very fiery coach. He’s very passionate about what he does. He loves football.”

Sophomore tight end Omarius Hines

On Muschamp: “I’m excited to see what Coach Muschamp has for us. We’ve got a new coach now, so we don’t have to stress about who we’re going to get.”

Thanks to the University of Florida, Gainesville Sun and Orlando Sentinel for the quotes from Hammond, Howard, Brown and Hines.