It's very painful to watch a fan base self destruct. In 1991, I remember a bunch of recruits came together and was assembled by a bunch of coaches that had a vision. Coach Spurrier who was never a great recruiter came into each of our homes and preached his vision and a bunch of guys bought in to what he was saying. Not one second did we consider the fans, or reporters, or boosters, or athletic directors or students. We came together for each other. Whether it was Larry Kennedy, Kevin Carter, Ellis Johnson, Henry McMillan, Mark Campbell, Ben Hanks, or myself we did it for US! What's sad is every fan wants to feel like they are a part of the PROGRAM, but in reality you are not. Because if you were a part of the PROGRAM you would never publicly belittle that PROGRAM. If you truly believed "In all kinds of weather, we stick together" then you would never question the PROGRAM. The reality is that what we expect or what we want is up to the young men that step on the field, not Coach Muschamp, not Coach Roper, or not Coach Durkin. Our fan base has disaappointed a great deal of former players and pioneers. Because you don't hear it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Just because you went to UF doesn't make you a GATOR. Just because you sit there and watch GATOR games on your 60 inch tv and become an arm chair QB doesn't make you a GATOR. These young men and coaches go out every day and represent Gator Nation to the best of their abilities. And it is unfortunate that some cowardly, and uninformed people sit on the Internet and bash them. All I ever say is, how many sprints have u ran for the PROGRAM, how many hits have you taken for the PROGRAM, how many TD's have you scored for the PROGRAM, or how many tackles have you sacrificed your body for the PROGRAM because until you have done these things your opinions and your ridicule fall on deaf ears. In no way am I trying to disrespect Gator Nation, but this is the same fan base that ran off Steve Spurrier and the same fan base that still belittles Urban Meyer. So ask yourself are we getting what WE deserve? Will Muschamp is a good coach. No he is not GREAT right now, but neither was Saban when he arrived at LSU or neither was LES when he arrived at LSU. My point is the fan base and the players are GATOR NATION, and how we handle ourselves while the whole world is watching will be how we are portrayed nationally. If you are a GATOR stand up and applaud your GATORS, but if you are not a GATOR continue doing what you are doing and that's hiding behind screen names and bashing the PROGRAM. Keep calling into the talk shows and sounding like an idiot. Keep bashing Urban And Shelley for the contribution to Gator history. By all means continue what you are doing and watch the whole nation including those clowns in Tallahassee sit back and laugh at you and say "see I told you they are no better than US!" Go Gators!!!

posted on Scout.com

WL

the negativity by many on this board and the Gatornation toward Spurrier and to a greater extent Meyer is puzzling to me.  They both busted their tails to make UF a winner and brought home the hardware and titles in a big way.  Meyer broke Bowden's back, sending Beelzebob out a career loser against UF at 17-18-1 and ending his FSU career in humiliating fashion.  He gave us a 3-2 lead in MNC's and Heismans over FSU, and restored our national reputation, which Foley and Muschamp promptly capitulated.  I will forever be thankful to Meyer for rescuing the football program in the darkest hours of Foley's Zook debacle.

As for the rest of it, while I respect his opinion and see some validity, I still don't quite agree with it.

As for Muschamp, I'm doing all I can to avoid negativity and support him while this season and his UF career are still in doubt.  This season is far from over and the momentum of this season can change in a hurry. A win at Tennessee changes everything, and a win over LSU and then Missouri would really get things rolling headed into a bye week and then the UGA game. Vandy is terrible and South Carolina is at home.

All reasonable goals for this are still attainable.  Let's see the next month through before we march on Gainesville with torches and pitchforks.