GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Coaches aren't supposed to go to a bowl game after a 3-8 season. Don't tell Buddy Teevens.

Teevens will be working either the Orange or the Citrus ... as a member of Florida's coaching staff.

On Thursday, Teevens left his job as Illinois offensive coordinator/receivers coach for a job with Steve Spurrier's Gators. Teevens takes over as running backs coach. He replaces Carl Franks, the new head coach at Duke.

"Personally and professionally, to have an opportunity to work in a top-ranked program in a tremendous football section of the country, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up," Teevens said.

Teevens and Spurrier are longtime friends. Spurrier called Wednesday, and Teevens didn't wait long to give him an answer.

"They play in one of the strongest conferences in the country," Teevens said. "It's a situation that annually they have an opportunity to compete for the national title. The expectation level is high. The support level is high. The recruiting situation – kids want to come there."

Giving up the coordinator title isn't a big deal for Teevens.

"Some people say 'Why would you do that?' " Teevens said. "Ron (Turner) was kind enough to give me the title coordinator, but it was his offense and he was the play selector."

Before coming to Illinois, Teevens was head coach 12 years at Maine, Dartmouth and Tulane. Teevens wants another head coaching job in Division I-A. He said the move to Florida enhances his chances.