No. 5 Florida embraces Addazio as interim coach

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — As Steve Addazio listened to Florida coach Urban Meyer talk about his health and his future, it never crossed his mind what kind of reaction players would have when he was picked to be the Gators’ interim coach.

Addazio was unprepared for their response.

They gave the longtime assistant an overwhelming reception, an ovation so long and loud that it even caught superstar quarterback Tim Tebow off guard.

“It was one of the loudest rounds of ovation and applause that I have been a part of in my entire life,” Tebow said Monday. “The team, the players clapped probably for three or four minutes and didn’t stop. You could see coach Addazio getting emotional while we were doing that because it meant so much to him. I think that was one of the coolest parts of the last two days.”

Addazio will take over next week, filling in during Meyer’s indefinite leave of absence brought on by recurring chest pains and an alarming hospital visit three weeks ago. Addazio has one goal in mind: Keep the humming along until Meyer returns.

Although Addazio received his share of criticism during his first year as Florida’s offensive coordinator, he has been given nothing but votes of confidence from players and peers since arriving in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.

“He knows how to lead a team and get a team going,” center Maurkice Pouncey said. “We love Addazio to death. I almost teared up for him. It was a great moment.”

Addazio’s coaching resume includes stops at Syracuse (1995-98), Notre Dame (1999-01) and Indiana (2002-04). He also spent three years at Western Connecticut State (1985-87) and seven seasons at a Connecticut high school.