What Is 2013 Florida Gators football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 4–8 record under head coach Will Muschamp. They competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Eastern Division and failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 1979.

Key Facts

The 2013 Florida Gators finished with a 4–8 overall record, their worst since 1979
Head coach Will Muschamp was fired after the 2014 season following continued poor performance
The team played home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida
They scored just 17.8 points per game, ranking 115th out of 125 FBS teams
Florida went 3–5 in SEC play during the 2013 season

Overview

The 2013 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Eastern Division, the team struggled significantly under head coach Will Muschamp, finishing with a 4–8 overall record—their first losing season since 1979.

This marked the first time since 1979 that the Gators failed to qualify for a postseason bowl game, a streak that had lasted 34 consecutive seasons. The offense was particularly ineffective, ranking near the bottom nationally in scoring and total offense, contributing to widespread criticism of the program’s direction.

Record: The team finished 4–8 overall and 3–5 in SEC play, a major decline from previous seasons.
Head coach: Will Muschamp led the team in his third season but was dismissed after the 2014 season due to underperformance.
Stadium: The Gators played home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, also known as "The Swamp," in Gainesville, Florida.
Scoring: Florida averaged only 17.8 points per game, ranking 115th out of 125 FBS teams nationally.
Defensive performance: Despite a strong defense in prior years, the 2013 unit allowed 24.6 points per game, a notable drop in efficiency.

How It Works

The 2013 season reflected systemic issues in the Gators' offensive execution, player development, and coaching strategy. Despite returning several defensive standouts, the team failed to adapt to offensive trends in college football, relying heavily on a ground-based attack that lacked consistency.

Offensive Scheme: The Gators utilized a pro-style offense under coordinator Brent Pease, but it failed to produce consistent results.
Quarterback Play: Tyler Murphy took over mid-season but managed only 1,400 passing yards and 10 total touchdowns.
Defensive Strength: The defense featured talent like linebacker Antonio Morrison, who recorded 78 tackles and 10.5 TFLs.
Recruiting Impact: Despite strong recruiting classes, freshmen contributed minimally due to offensive line struggles and poor scheme fit.
SEC Competition: The team lost key conference games to South Carolina, Georgia, and Vanderbilt by narrow margins.
Special Teams: Kicker Caleb Sturgis made 15 of 20 field goals, but coverage units ranked below average in efficiency.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2013 Gators with recent prior seasons highlights a sharp decline in performance:

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Points Per Game	Bowl Game
2011	7–5	3–5	22.6	Yes (Outback Bowl)
2012	7–5	4–4	20.8	Yes (Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl)
2013	4–8	3–5	17.8	No
2014	7–5	5–3	24.3	Yes (Peach Bowl)
2015	10–4	6–2	28.1	Yes (Cotton Bowl)

The table illustrates how the 2013 season was an outlier in terms of win-loss performance and scoring output. While the 2011 and 2012 teams had mixed results, they still achieved bowl eligibility. The 2013 team’s struggles prompted a coaching overhaul, culminating in Muschamp’s dismissal after 2014 and the hiring of Jim McElwain in 2015, who led a quick turnaround.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a pivotal moment in Florida Gators football history, signaling the end of an era and prompting major changes in leadership and philosophy. The failure to reach a bowl game broke a 34-year streak, the longest active bowl streak in the nation at the time, and damaged the program’s national reputation.

Coaching Change: Will Muschamp was fired after the 2014 season, ending a five-year tenure with a 28–14 overall record.
Program Rebuild: The 2013 season led to a full offensive restructuring and the hiring of new coordinators.
Recruiting Shift: Florida began prioritizing dual-threat quarterbacks, leading to the recruitment of players like Feleipe Franks.
Fan Impact: Attendance and fan morale dipped significantly, with several home games seeing below-capacity crowds.
National Perception: The Gators fell out of the AP Top 25 for the entire 2013 season, a rare occurrence for the program.
Legacy Effect: The struggles underscored the need for modernizing the offense, influencing future coaching hires and schemes.

Ultimately, the 2013 season served as a catalyst for transformation within the Florida football program. While disappointing at the time, it laid the groundwork for future improvements under new leadership, culminating in a return to prominence by the mid-2010s.