As we approach the end of the 2014 calendar year, we’re looking back at the top 50 stories in college football for the year. Today, we break into the top 10 with our No. 9 story of 2014.

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NO. 9 – WILL MUSCHAMP

The Will Muschamp era came to an abrupt end this season after a tumultuous four-year tenure. The coach sat on the conference’s hottest seat throughout the 2014 season and saw his inevitable downfall following a Week 12 overtime loss to South Carolina.

It was a roller coaster ride for Muschamp, who started the season with a 3-3 record. Rumblings of the coach’s early dismissal began following back-to-back losses to LSU and Missouri and his constant backing of former five-star quarterback Jeff Driskel, who underperformed during his collegiate career.

Muschamp bought extra some time with a 38-20 upset win against then-No. 11 Georgia in Week 9, following his decision to start freshman quarterback Treon Harris. Florida added another victory at Vanderbilt the following week to improve to 5-3.

But the Gators’ loss to South Carolina proved to be the deciding factor in Muschamp’s termination. Florida had several chances to put the Gamecocks away, but special teams blunders and failed scoring drives were its ultimate downfall. The game marked the Gators’ 13th loss in 22 games.

Muschamp was fired the following day and gave a heartfelt exit press conference that Monday, despite coaching in Florida’s remaining two games. The Gators went 1-1 in the coach’s final two games, including a 52-3 win against Eastern Kentucky in Week 13 and a 24-19 loss to No. 3 Florida State in Week 14.

But don’t feel too bad for the former Florida coach, whose unemployment was short-lived. Auburn named Muschamp its defensive coordinator last week, agreeing to a deal worth above $1.6 million contact, making him the highest-paid coordinator in college football.