Florida Gators AD Jeremy Foley expresses support for coaching staff, players

The Florida Gators enter a second idle date hoping to regroup before their annual trip to Jacksonville, and athletics director Jeremy Foley voiced his support for the team as it prepares for No. 9 Georgia.

“At the beginning of the season we said we would evaluate the season as it plays out,” Foley said in a statement released by the university. “We will continue to do so. Our sole focus right now is supporting our coaching staff and players as they prepare for Georgia.”

Foley did not mention coach Will Muschamp, who implored Gators fans to “keep hanging with us” after the team was humiliated on homecoming.

“Our fans have been great. I really appreciate the support,” Muschamp said following a 42-13 loss to Missouri. “We need to play better. Keep hanging with us. We need to go over to Jacksonville and get this thing fixed.”

The fourth-year coach was on the recruiting trail Monday before the team practices Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the off week.

Muschamp remains optimistic despite the team’s troubles.

“We have a prideful bunch,” he said. “I thought we had good preparation throughout the week. You turn it over six times you’re not going to win. It wasn’t from a lack of effort. It wasn’t from a lack of trying.”

▪ Muschamp said he did not hear the “Fire Muschamp” chants that drowned The Swamp late in the third quarter Saturday.

▪ On Sunday’s coach’s show, Muschamp did not mention a change at quarterback. Junior Jeff Driskel started against Missouri but split time with true freshman Treon Harris.

Florida led the nation in turnover margin just a month ago, but the Gators now rank 61st nationally following 15 giveaways in the past four games.

The Gators are 3-3 for just the second time in 28 years.

This story was originally published October 20, 2014 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Florida Gators AD Jeremy Foley expresses support for coaching staff, players."