by Chris Humpherys

Created on: February 13, 2010

I have a picture of my uncle and me when I was about 15 years old.  I’m wearing a Gator shirt in the photograph.  My uncle Rosco attended the University of Florida well before me and had given me the shirt as a gift.  At that point, campus life in Gainesville was still years away.  I was much more focused on more important things in life, like how to properly unsnap a bra.

Twenty-five years later, not much has changed.  I’m still wearing Gator shirts and most of my time is spent trying to finagle my way around a bra strap.

Over that same twenty-five years, however, Gainesville has changed in leaps and bounds.  A school that had nary a conference championship in either football or basketball now boasts five national and twelve conference championships.  They became the first school ever to hold football and basketball titles simultaneously.  It was as if championships grew on trees.

But things might never be this good again in Gainesville.  How could they possibly?  After two championships in four years, they have a football coach who’s health is in question, a golden boy gone and nearly an entire defense drafted.  The cupboard isn’t exactly bare but what’s left inside is certainly inexperienced.

For those of you who have never visited Hogtown, football is a religion.  It’s no different from any other college town that lives and breathes football like Columbus or Tuscaloosa or Austin…  except the weather is considerably better.

Next season, however, marks a new beginning.  The winningest senior class in SEC history has bid the Swamp a fond farewell.  Gone are Riley Cooper, Jermaine Cunningham, Dustin Doe, David Nelson, Brandon James, Brandon Spikes, Ryan Stamper and of course Tim Tebow.  Juniors Joe Haden and Carlos Dunlap have also declared for the draft and are both projected first rounders.  Nobody knows what will happen with Urban Meyer, his health a primary concern.

Meyer shocked Gator Nation not long ago when he made his health issues public and abruptly announced his retirement.  Offensive Coordinator Steve Addazio was named interim head coach, for a minute, until Urban unretired.  He has now vowed to be on the sidelines this spring, but the 2010-11 season might just be his biggest coaching challenge yet.

A short time ago, Billy Donovan won back-to-back national championships in Gainesville.  The athletes

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