What Is 2014 Florida Gators football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida during the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 7–5 record under head coach Will Muschamp, who was fired after the season.

Key Facts

The 2014 Florida Gators finished with a 7–5 overall record and 5–3 in SEC play.
Head coach Will Muschamp was fired on November 16, 2014, after four seasons.
The team played its home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
Quarterback Jeff Driskel started 10 games before being replaced late in the season.
Florida did not qualify for a bowl game due to NCAA-imposed postseason bans from prior violations.

Overview

The 2014 Florida Gators football team competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Eastern Division during the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Will Muschamp, the team struggled with consistency on offense despite a strong defensive foundation. The Gators played their home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, commonly known as 'The Swamp,' in Gainesville, Florida.

Despite showing improvement from their 4–8 record in 2013, the team failed to qualify for a bowl game due to a self-imposed postseason ban related to NCAA violations from prior years. This marked the second consecutive season Florida was ineligible for postseason play. The 2014 season concluded with a 7–5 overall record and a 5–3 mark in SEC competition.

Record: The team finished the regular season with a 7–5 overall record and 5–3 in conference play, a marked improvement from the previous year’s 4–8.
Head coach: Will Muschamp was dismissed on November 16, 2014, after compiling a 25–27 record over four seasons, with declining win totals each year.
Postseason ban: Due to NCAA sanctions stemming from violations under previous staff, Florida was ineligible for a bowl game despite being bowl-eligible.
Quarterback play: Jeff Driskel started 10 games, but injuries and inconsistent performance led to Trent Harris and Skyler Mornhinweg seeing snaps late in the season.
Defensive strength: The Gators ranked 10th nationally in total defense, allowing just 304.2 yards per game, showcasing Muschamp’s defensive expertise.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 2014 campaign featured a mix of competitive performances and missed opportunities, with the Gators nearly upsetting top-ranked teams but falling short in crucial moments. The season included a dramatic 20–17 loss to Missouri in double overtime and a 24–14 win over archrival Florida State in a rare midweek game.

Missouri (L 20–17 OT): A heartbreaking double-overtime loss in October cost Florida a chance at the SEC East title and was a turning point in Muschamp’s tenure.
Georgia (W 24–20): A key SEC win in Jacksonville, where the Gators overcame a 17–0 halftime deficit to win on a late touchdown pass.
Tennessee (W 20–10): A dominant defensive performance helped secure a home victory against the Volunteers in November.
Florida State (W 24–14): A midweek Thursday night game saw Florida defeat the defending national champions in a major upset.
South Carolina (W 23–20 OT): A last-second field goal in overtime secured a dramatic win, highlighting the team’s resilience despite offensive struggles.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2014 Florida Gators season versus key recent seasons to illustrate trends in performance and coaching outcomes.

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Head Coach	Bowl Result
2014	7–5	5–3	Will Muschamp	No bowl (postseason ban)
2013	4–8	3–5	Will Muschamp	No bowl (postseason ban)
2012	7–5	4–4	Will Muschamp	Lost Gator Bowl 33–28 to Ohio State
2011	7–6	3–5	Will Muschamp	Lost Outback Bowl 37–24 to Penn State
2010	8–5	4–4	Urban Meyer	Lost Sugar Bowl 48–20 to Connecticut

The table illustrates a gradual decline under Muschamp, with win totals fluctuating but overall trajectory trending downward. While the 2014 record matched 2012 and 2011, the lack of postseason play and offensive inefficiency contributed to Muschamp’s dismissal. The team’s defense remained a strength, but quarterback instability and lack of scoring plagued the offense.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a pivotal moment in Florida Gators football history, marking the end of the Will Muschamp era and setting the stage for major program changes. Though the team showed defensive promise, the inability to develop consistent offensive production led to fan dissatisfaction and administrative action.

Coaching change: Muschamp’s firing opened the door for Jim McElwain, who was hired in December 2014 to rebuild the program.
Recruiting impact: The transition affected recruiting momentum, though Florida maintained a top-15 class in 2015 despite uncertainty.
Defensive legacy: The 2014 defense produced future NFL players like Antonio Morrison and Vernon Hargreaves III, underscoring its talent level.
Program reset: The season highlighted the need for modernized offensive schemes, leading to long-term strategic changes under new leadership.
Fan engagement: Declining attendance and morale in 2014 pressured the athletic department to prioritize visible improvements.
Historical context: The back-to-back 7–5 seasons with no bowl games were unprecedented in the modern era of Florida football, signaling a need for overhaul.

The 2014 season ultimately served as a turning point, emphasizing the importance of sustained competitiveness and leadership stability in maintaining a top-tier college football program.