Interview with Former Florida Gators Safety Dorian Munroe
Over the course of his
Florida
career, safety
Dorian Munroe
experienced both the highs and the lows of college football. He was part of two national championship teams, but also suffered serious injuries. Munroe’s playing career at Florida ended after the 2009 season, but he still has hopes of playing in the NFL one day. Or at the very least working in the sport in some capacity (Munroe had the opportunity to intern with the NFL this summer).
The former Gator defensive back was nice enough to agree to be my first interview subject and answer a few of my questions. Thanks again Dorian. I appreciate you taking the time to do this and I’m sure other Florida fans do as well.
1. First of all, the obvious question: what was it like being a Florida Gator?
My experience has been amazing. Of course winning championships helped but I loved everything about the University, especially the fans. Gator fans are second to none. The game day atmosphere is unbelievable and something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
2. You were originally committed to FSU. What was it that made you make the switch and sign with the Gators?
What made me switch was simply the hiring of Urban Meyer. When Coach Meyer was hired he began to recruit me. I saw some of the things he did with Utah in the Fiesta Bowl and how his players loved him. I told myself that’s the type of coach I want to play for. Once I took my visit, met the coaches and experienced the family atmosphere, I knew I was heading to the best school in America. To top it off UF has great academics so I felt this was the perfect place.
3. You were recruited as a defensive back, but were also productive on the other side of the ball in high school. How did safety become the position you ended up sticking with?
I received offers from different schools on both sides of the ball. When I would go to camps/combines I stood out more at DB so it was a natural position. I always felt it was better to hit than be hit. Or as Coach Heater would say, “Be the hammer, not the nail.”
4. What was it like running out onto the field in The Swamp in a Gator uniform for the first time?
It was an amazing, breath taking experience. Seeing the intro with the gator on the JumboTron and hearing Gator claps was surreal. I took my visit in January after the season so this was my first time in The Swamp on a game day Saturday. The fans were all going nuts and there was someone in every seat at the stadium.
5. You were at Florida during two national championships. How is the mood leading up to those games? Do you prepare any differently for a game like that?
The mood leading up to the two championships was slightly different. In 2006, we weren’t sure if we were going to be selected to the championship. So while watching the BCS Bowl Selection show everyone was on the edge of their seat and got extremely excited when we were chosen. In 2008, we already knew we were in the championship. As far as preparing for the games, Coach Meyer always insists that we stick with our routine but for those big games we always cranked things up a notch. We played the music a little louder, watched a little more film and practiced a little harder for those championships.
6. Heading into the 2008 season, you had the inside track to earn a starting position before your injury. How did being out for the season affect your role with the team?
Missing the 2008 season when I was supposed to start was a real difficult time. But, I still stuck around my team as much as possible. My role changed from starter to basically being a player-coach. I attended all the meetings regularly, helped out the DB’s and spent times around the coaches to learn as much as I can about the game.
7. After your request for a sixth year of eligibility was denied, did you know where the future would take you?
I knew getting an extra year of eligibility was a long shot. Per NCAA rule, despite playing in only one game last season, it was one game past the mid-season deadline for medical redshirt eligibility. I didn’t know where my future was going to take me after that but I knew I needed to find an internship to fulfill credit requirements for my master’s degree, so I spent time looking for options.
8. Looking back on your Gator career, what are your most memorable moments?
My most memorable moments were the 2006 SEC and National Championships. We weren’t favored to win it that year and we had a “we against the world mentality.” I played well those two games, especially when Tony Joiner went down in the SEC Championship and it felt great to help send guys like Brandon Siler, Earl Everett, Reggie Nelson, Ray McDonald, Dallas Baker and Chris Leak out as champions. They still thank me to this day.
9. How’s the NFL internship and is a job with the league in your future?
So far the internship has been great and I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity and experience. I’ve gotten the chance to learn from some of the best and form some great relationships. As far as a future job is concerned I am not sure but it is a strong possibility.
10. Where do you head from here? What’s next for you?
What’s next for me is I head back to Gainesville this fall to finish my master’s degree as well as helping out with the Gator football team this season. I’m still pursuing the dream of playing in the NFL so I will be rehabbing and training while in Gainesville, preparing for next year’s pro day. Seeing guys like Cornelius Ingram come back from surgeries inspires me to continue to get healthy and play the game that I love. If that doesn’t work out then I will shift my focus to starting a career in either coaching, a NFL front office position or athletic administration.