Even with a down season this year, the ticket prices are still rising.

The Gainesville Sun reported that the UAA (University Athletic Association board) board approved $5 per-game increase for all home games next season. Also pending are the Florida/Georgia tickets which will be rising to $10 if Georgia approves of it.

“Ticket prices are how you make money to run your program,” Foley told the Gainesville Sun.

By changing the ticket prices next season, the University of Florida will make more than $3.1 million extra. Foley said that is the money they need in order to balance out their budget from their increased costs. Foley also brought to our attention that the ticket prices have stayed the same the previous five years and has been sitting at the bottom as the lowest prices throughout the SEC.

“You try to be fair and I think these are fair,” Foley said.

Even though Will Muschamp’s contract of $2.7 million per year is still lower than what Meyer was being paid, Foley said they have to wait it out until the Muschamp staff is hired to see where they stand. Muschamp’s contract was not one of items considered for the increased costs.

Excitement hung in the air as new Florida head coach Will Muschamp walked toward podium to a round of applause from the media.

However, while his welcome is warm, Muschamp’s job will not be easy and that warm atmosphere can get cold rather quickly.

Just ask Ron Zook.

Not only does Muschamp have to replace two-time national champion Urban Meyer, but somehow, he needs to convince the Gator Nation to move on from their former head coach.

Tuesday’s press conference was one heck of a start for the former Texas Longhorns’ defensive coordinator.

Muschamp began the press conference with a 20-minute opening statement, speaking rapidly and excitedly, reminiscing about his days as a Gator fan growing up, and making jokes about playing for the Georgia Bulldogs and co-owning a vacation home with Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher.

Muschamp said that the Gators will run a pro-style offense and defense, that he is no hurry to hire assistants, and that the only stat that matters to him is winning.

Overall, it was a very entertaining and encouraging event that may have won over some members of the Gator Nation who were wary of Muschamp before Tuesday night.

As for those who remain unconvinced, here’s what Muschamp had to say: “I expect to win next year. We’re not on a five-year plan.”

As cliche as it sounds, you can’t spell his name without “champ” and after tonight’s press conference, Muschamp is beginning to look more and more like a winner.

New Head Football Coach Will Muschamp’s contract details were released on Tuesday.  The contract is a 5 year deal worth 13.5 Million Dollars.  Muschamp was paid $900,000.00 as a “head coach in waiting” for the Texas Longhorns.  His new annual salary is 2.7 million, which is triple what he was paid last year.  There are incentives for making and winning both the SEC and National Championship Game.  A pro rated portion is for his personal appearances, The Sunday Coaches Show, and endorsements from Nike.

A news conference is scheduled for 6:30 today at The Swamp.

New Florida Gator head coach Will Muschamp is expected to be going after Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart as the lead position for defensive coordinator for the Gators according to several sources.

No word yet on whether Muschamp has offered Smart the job yet or not, but news should be falling throughout the next couple of days. Smart won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach and also received a raise of $750,000 just a season after Georgia gave him a big money offer to stay and be the defensive coordinator. Here is what Nick Saban had to say in January when Smart turned down the UGA offer.

“He’s done a fabulous job for us,” Saban said. “He’s one of the finest assistant coaches in the country. You expect guys like Kirby to get lots of opportunities to do things, and we want to continue to help him continue to develop his career here so that when he leaves here its’ going to be to be a head coach and probably in a very good situation.” [Gathered by TideSports]

Gator Sports Nation will release more information once received. Stay tuned…..

It has been conveyed to Gator Sports Nation that Urban Meyer resigned not only to be with his family, but continued health risks if he continued to coach. From our sources Meyer had every intention of returning for his seventh season just days before being informed of ongoing cardiovascular risks if he continued to coach.

Meyer had been to a doctors appointment just last week and was told that continued symptoms of chest pains and other symptoms would be putting his cardiovascular health at greater and greater risk as time goes on. He was also informed of this same information last year, that if the symptoms did not subside he would have to stop coaching. After discussing this with his family and Jeremy Foley, Urban decided to resign and put family and health first. Just after the loss to FSU Meyer said that he was definitely returning to Florida and he was going to “rebuild this thing right,” but the doctor visit afterwords changed the perspective.

Meyer will coach his final game on January 1st 2010 in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, FL, then he will turn over his team to newly hired Will Muschamp. Meyer has said that he would be staying in Gainesville for the time being and would like to remain on staff with the UAA.