A gift from Schiano?
Gator Nation has been all abuzz since the news broke Thursday that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has taken the head coaching job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Many are assuming that Schiano’s departure has opened the door for the Gators to step in and steal five-star defensive end Darius Hamilton from the Scarlet Knights.
My advice on that is this: calm down because there’s a good chance it’s not going to happen.
Certainly, Schiano’s stunning move will give Hamilton and his family a lot to think about over the next few days, and it obviously gives the Gators a boost in their attempt to sign him next week.
But here’s one thing to remember about Hamilton’s recruitment: He’s favored the home-town school (Rutgers) for a long time for one reason and one reason only — the opportunity to stay close to home and play college football in front of his family. It’s never really been about the chance to play for Schiano.
Schiano is moving to Florida. Hamilton’s family is not.
The Gators may have a lot to offer Hamilton (big-time program, chance to play early, chance to play in the best conference in college football), but Florida is not home.
Rutgers is.
Robbie Andreu has been The Sun’s college football beat writer since 1993. He covered every game of the Steve Spurrier coaching era. The only game he’s missed since he has been in Gainesville is the 2006 Florida State game in Tallahassee. He happily stayed home for that one because of the imminent birth of his second child. Before coming to The Sun in March of 1993, Andreu worked for the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel for 10 years, covering a variety of sports, including the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Hurricanes, professional golf and baseball (playoffs and World Series). He also worked in Clearwater and Bradenton. He graduated from UF in 1977.
Yep, I’m afraid you’re spot on with this one, Robbie. Pretty sure this kid is gonna pick a school, and not a coach. Still, we should try to show him how great it would it be for him to be a gator !
by Dr. Edward M. Stellmacher
Before the news broke half of the “recruiting experts” still had him going to Florida. If he still chooses to stay home then he never was considering any other options.
by g8ter27
Right!!!!
by bob
Don’t the Hamiltons know that it’s almost mandatory that Yankees from Jersey move to Florida eventually? Why wait?
by Brr-bon Phil
Well Robbie…..I guess per your article…Gainesville is his new home!!!!!!!
by bob
Two words for his family…Jet Blue. They can be here in three hours. Non stop from Newark to Orlando and a short drive up the road to the heaven that IS Gainesville.
by Richard Johnston Jr
Roll Tide! 101-29 last 3 years!
by ROLL TIDE