GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Mike Summers was hired as Florida's offensive line coach, completing the UF coaching staff, the school announced Monday.
Summers comes to Florida after one season as the offensive line coach and running game coordinator for USC. He replaces Tim Davis, who was fired by Florida in early December.
"I'm excited to have Coach Summers join our staff," head coach Will Muschamp said in a statement. "He has 34 years of experience, has been an offensive coordinator for 15 years and has coached in the SEC. He has a diverse background and has experience in the NFL. He will be a great addition to our staff."
Summers, 56, has a solid connection to the Florida coaching staff as the offensive line coach and running game coordinator for three seasons (2010-12) under Joker Phillips at Kentucky. Phillips is now wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Florida.
Before his stint at Kentucky, Summers coached offensive linemen for Bobby Petrino at Louisville (2003-06), the NFL's Atlanta Falcons (2007) and at Arkansas (2008-09).
"I'm honored to be joining Coach Muschamp and his staff," Summers said in a statement. "I have the utmost respect for Coach Muschamp, the staff and the support system in place. Having been in the SEC, I have always held the Florida program in high regard and I'm looking forward to getting right to work."
Southern Cal ranked No. 59 in the country in rushing last season (4.52 yards per carry); the Gators' running game averaged 3.63 yards per carry, which ranked 87th. The Trojans gave up 34 sacks in 14 games; UF allowed 27 in 12 games.
Florida returns just five offensive linemen with starting experience and has nine scholarship linemen on the roster. The Gators signed one juco offensive lineman -- Drew Sarvary -- in December and have five other OL pledges in their Class of 2014. Two of those commits -- Nolan Kelleher and Kavaris Harkless -- are expected to enroll early and begin classes at UF this week.
