Florida hires Duke’s Kurt Roper as new offensive coordinator

Update, Dec. 26: It’s official.

“I’m excited to have Coach Roper join our staff,” Will Muschamp said in a statement. “He has a diverse, up-tempo background on offense and does a good job of adapting to what the players do best. The most important thing though is he has always remained balanced.

“He has had success calling plays in the SEC and has tutored three NFL quarterbacks. He has had players produce at every offensive position and he is one of the most well-respected coaches in the country.”

Florida has hired Duke offensive coordinator Kurt Roper to the same position, according to ESPN’s Edward Aschoff and Chris Low. Roper will replace former Gators OC Brent Pease, who was fired shortly after the conclusion of Florida’s 4-8 2013 season. CBS Sports’ Bruce Feldman confirmed the ESPN report.

Under Pease, the Florida attack floundered in 2012 and 2013. Last season, the Gators averaged 334 yards and 26.5 points per game, ranking 12th and 10th, respectively, in the SEC. Those numbers fell even further this year -- though, a rash of injuries were partially to blame -- and Will Muschamp’s team ranked last in the conference in total offense (316.7 yards per game) and scoring (18.8 points per game).

Roper has extensive SEC experience, coaching quarterbacks at Kentucky and Ole Miss, and running backs at Tennessee before arriving in Durham, N.C. In addition to his role as offensive coordinator, he has served as assistant head coach and QB coach at Duke.

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