As he sat in the middle of the Gator Room on Wednesday, head coach Will Muchamp looked exhausted.

Slouched over the table, a voice slightly quieter than normal, Muschamp talked about a Saturday that left fans with more questions than answers not only about the future of the team, coach included.

During the press conference, Muschamp said the accountability falls on his shoulders. In the midst of a fanbase that is drawing more and more ire towards the head coach, he understood the sentiments of Gator Nation coming off a loss against Alabama that saw Florida sputter on both sides of the ball.

“Everybody gets frustrated,” Muschamp said. “They want to win them all and so do I. that’s what we’re working to do and I think we have a very good football team, we didn’t always play that way or coach that way on Saturday and that falls on my shoulders to get it fixed. That’s what we plan on doing. I feel as confident as I did before the Alabama game about this team and where we are.”

Athletic director Jeremy Foley told Orlando’s 740-AM that the team will be evaluated after the season. In the weeks ahead, the Gators go to Neyland Stadium to take on Tennessee, then host LSU and Missouri at home before facing Georgia November 1st. A seat that was warm for Muschamp coming into the season will only get hotter depending on the Gators’ play over the next four weeks.

Despite the mounting pressure on Muschamp, former Gator safety Matt Elam showed support for his former coach. Under Muschamp, Elam had 154 total tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, six interceptions and three forced fumbles. Elam, a first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens, was also part of the 2012 team that finished 11-2 with a Sugar Bowl berth.

Much focus has been on the secondary, which has looked different from the type Elam played for two years ago. The defense has given up 863 yards of passing through three games, something that Elam feels can be fixed with a better understanding of their assignments.

“They are young guys who are just learning the game,” Elam said. “I know [Will] Muschamp is coaching the guys up well, but the guys have to learn the game and know what they’re doing. The defense is playing, but I just feel like it’s the small things – knowing what you’re doing to be able to play fast. When you know what you’re doing, you can play fast.”

With an open date this week for the Gators, the time off gives the team time to sit on the loss and use that as motivation to work on the issues on the field that have plagued them early in the season. Practices were said to be physical this week, a much different tone than some of the practices last week, where players reportedly had subpar performances.

While some of Gator Nation are awaiting for Muschamp to turn things around and others have already discussed possible canidates, Elam believes in the abilities of his former coach.

“Will Muschamp is a great guy and a great coach,” Elam said. “I feel like he took my game to another level by giving me confidence and helping me become the player I am today. He’s a great guy to me, besides the coaching. He’s great off the field and cares about his guys.”