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Gainesville, FL, United States (AHN) – Will Muschamp is coming back home.

According to a release on gatorzone.com, Florida’s official web site, Muschamp, a former Gator coach, has been hired as the 23rd head coach in Florida football history.

Muschamp spent the past three seasons as defensive coordinator at Texas and was tabbed the Longhorns’ coach-in-waiting in 2008. He will replace Urban Meyer, who resigned earlier this week.

The 39-year-old Muschamp will be the second youngest coach in the SEC, and he has a lot of experience with the conference. He was a four-year letterman safety at Georgia before graduating in 1994.

“This is a dream come true to be the head coach of the Florida Gators,” said Muschamp, who lived in Gainesville for 10 years growing up. “I grew up watching the Gators and whatever other SEC team was on television.”

“I have great memories watching SEC football with my father on Saturdays and playing football in the back yard with my two brothers right here in Gainesville.”

Muschamp started his coaching career in 1995 and made stops at Auburn, West Georgia, Eastern Kentucky, Valdosta State and LSU. He was promoted to LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2002 and helped the Tigers win the 2003 national championship.

Muschamp went with LSU coach Nick Saban to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins in 2005, spent two seasons as Auburn’s defensive coordinator before joining Texas.

“Coach Muschamp is someone we targeted from the beginning and he is the guy we wanted,” Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said. “He is the only person we met with and the only person we offered the job to.”

“He’s a tremendous recruiter,” Meyer said. “I have bumped into him many times over the years on the road while on recruiting trips.”

During his three-year stint at Texas, the Longhorns led the nation with 119 sacks over that span and ranked in the top 10 nationally in several other major categories, including allowing opponents to rush for 96.7 yards a game (fourth).

Meyer will conclude his Florida career when the Gators (7-5) play Penn State (7-5) in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.

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