GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Shane Matthews was an unassuming, rawboned Mississippian deep on Florida’s depth chart who would evolve into Steve Spurrier’s first star quarterback.
What Matthews lacked in physical stature and arm strength he made up with football IQ and accuracy, two qualities Spurrier recognized upon his 1990 arrival to begin the greatest extended run in school history. Radio listeners are sure to appreciate Matthews’ football smarts and on-time delivery, too.
The former Gators record-setter will serve as color analyst this season for Florida football games, working alongside new play-by-play broadcaster Sean Kelley.
Matthews will replace Lee McGriff, a Gators star receiver in 1970s. McGriff left the position after 27 years in favor of family time, coinciding with the exit of Hall of Fame play-by-play man Mick Hubert.
The new role is custom-fit for Matthews.
The 52-year-old son of a coach makes up for a lack of broadcasting training and experience with a keen eye, quick wit and little, if any filter, even when commentating on the Gators.
“We’re not solving the world’s problems,” he said. “It’s just talking football. It’s something I’ve done my whole life.”
Matthews helped put Florida football on the map during Spurrier’s early days.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Matthews passed for 9,287 yards and 74 touchdowns, then an SEC record. He was the conference player of the year in 1990 and 1991, finishing fifth in Heisman voting in ‘91 for Spurrier’s first of six SEC champions.
Meanwhile, Matthew’s record broadcasting Florida games is forgettable. With McGriff unavailable last season, Matthews stepped in to call five road games — all Gators losses.
Matthew’s first foray into the booth, an Oct. 3 visit to Kentucky, offered a window into his calm and casual approach to the job.
“I got on the plane, flew there, woke up, went to the game and called it,” Matthews said.
This without practicing a minute alongside Hubert.
Matthews did not bother to listen to the replay but undoubtedly fared better than the Gators, who committed 15 penalties during a 20-13 loss.
In fact, Matthews has never reviewed the tape or evaluated his performance.
“I would if somebody told me I needed to,” he said. “I probably should. But I haven’t.”
Yet Matthews is coachable. After all, his late father Bill coached him at Pascagoula High School.
Back in Mississippi, Matthews learned the game at his father’s knee to set the stage for a decorated college career and another 14 in the NFL, primarily as a backup able to pick up offenses quickly.
Matthews will now bring experience, insight, a love of football and a passion for the Gators to the airwaves for Florida fans, many of whom have known him for decades.
“Watching so much football over my lifetime, watching it on TV, listening to Lee when I wasn’t at the game, I tried to learn from those guys and put my own spin on it,” Matthews said. “Hopefully we can win some damn games.”
Mullen joins ESPN
Former Gators coach Dan Mullen will trade his whistle for a microphone during the fall.
Mullen will become a studio analyst for ESPN, appearing Saturdays on ESPN2 and Thursday and Friday nights on ESPN.
Fired last November into his fourth season in Gainesville, Mullen declined to return to sideline for the first time since he was a tight end at Ursinus College in 1993. Mullen served as a graduate assistant at Wagner the following season and has been a coach ever since.
The 50-year-old, though, decided to take a break from the profession after compiling a 103-61 record as a head coach, including a 34-15 mark with the Gators.
