Source: Will Muschamp passed on Sam Ukwuachu at Florida
Former Florida coach Will Muschamp declined to pursue Sam Ukwuachu when the defensive end was dismissed from Boise State, a source told SI.com’s Pete Thamel and Thayer Evans.
Ukwuachu was let go by the Broncos for what then-head coach Chris Petersen referred to only as repeated violations of team rules. Emails obtained by Texas Monthlyshow that Petersen was appraised of allegations that Ukwuachu was abusive toward his then-girlfriend, though Ukwuachu was never charged.
Florida considered allowing Ukwuachu to join the Gators, Thamel and Evans report, but then-head coach Muschamp “decided against it after a Boise State athletic department employee detailed Ukwuachu's troubles with a girlfriend.”
“There was no way,” one former Florida employee. “[Muschamp] wouldn't touch him.”
Ukwuachu eventually transferred to Baylor, but never played a down for the Bears after he was accused of raping a Baylor women’s soccer player in October 2013. Ukwuachu was convicted last week and sentenced to six months in jail.
Baylor coach Art Briles says Petersen did not fully apprise him of the abuse allegations against Ukwuachu, though Petersen refutes that claim.
- Dan Gartland
