GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease doesn't have a magic formula to fix an offense that struggled in 2011 and finished 105th nationally.
But he does have five criteria that he believes are keys to any successful offense, and if the Gators master these five things they'll be better in 2012 -- a pounding running game, an explosive passing game, creativity, eliminate turnovers and great quarterback play.
"We want to get more physical up front, we want to develop a little bit better tempo, we want to eliminate some turnovers, a lot of turnovers, and put ourselves in better situations," Pease said Tuesday. "We're not going to run anything different. People run power, we're going to run power; they run zone, we're going to run zone. No one is reinventing that part of it."
Pease comes to UF after spending the past six seasons at Boise State. The first five were as receivers coach, but Pease was the offensive coordinator in 2011 and helped the Broncos finish tied for 10th nationally in total offense (481.3 yards per game). He's being charged with fixing a UF offense that averaged 328.7 yards of total offense per game and just 185.7 yards per game passing. The Gators haven't averaged that few yards of total offense since 1988 (316.0). UF averaged 184.3 yards per game passing in 2010, but that's the fewest since 1989 (148.0).
His first task is to find a quarterback. Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel will share reps this spring, but UF coach Will Muschamp said there is no timetable to naming a starter. They both could play in the fall, Muschamp said, which is not what he would prefer but is willing to do if neither separates himself in the competition.
"Not particularly in favor of that," Pease said. " I'd rather see one kid step forward and take charge and be productive and let it be his team. But if that's not the way it works out, then as coaches you've got to do what's best for your football team."
Wilson gets sixth year
Offensive lineman James Wilson was granted a sixth year by the NCAA, and the 6-foot-4, 327-pounder will take over the starting spot at left guard.
"[Wilson] really played well for us as the year rolled along, is a physical guy, a guy that's got a little more girth and can get some movement," Muschamp said.
Wilson has battled injuries throughout his career since arriving at Florida as ESPNU's top-ranked guard in 2007. He has played in only 38 games in his previous five seasons because of four knee surgeries and two broken feet. Wilson, who was ESPNU's No. 44 overall player in ’07, was originally a Southern California commitment. He redshirted in 2007, played in 10 games in 2008, and played in all 14 games in 2009. He missed 10 games in 2010 with a left knee injury and played in 11 games in 2011.
Other highlights
There is only one significant position change. Offensive lineman Nick Alajajian has been moved to defensive tackle and is listed second on the depth chart at nose tackle behind Omar Hunter. Guard Kyle Koehne also will work at center, center Sam Robey also will work at guard, and tight end Omarius Hines also will work at running back.
The following players will miss spring practice with injuries: cornerback Jeremy Brown (knee), defensive tackle Dominique Easley (knee), offensive lineman Ian Silberman (shoulder), defensive end Kedric Johnson (shoulder), offensive lineman Tommy Jordan (shoulder), Lerentee McCray (shoulder), and offensive lineman Cole Gilliam (shoulder).
Cornerback Marcus Roberson (neck) has been cleared for non-contact work, and linebacker Neiron Ball, who suffered a burst blood vessel in his brain last spring, has been cleared for physical activity but not practice. Muschamp said there is no timetable on Ball's return.
Tight end A.C. Leonard remains suspended and will not participate in spring. Muschamp said there is no timetable for his return, either.
Several uniform number changes: linebacker Jonathan Bostic will wear No. 1 (he was 52), Hines will wear 20 (82), Driskel will wear 6 (16), Brissett will wear 12 (17), receiver Quinton Dunbar will wear 1 (9), and safety Josh Evans will wear 9 (24).
