Florida head coach Jim McElwain at Saturday's UF men's basketball game. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
McElwain: 'We're Going to Kick the Door Down'
Saturday, January 21, 2017 | Football, Scott Carter
Florida head coach Jim McElwain pumped up the crowd at Saturday's basketball game as he looks toward next season.
GAINESVILLE, Fla -- Gators head coach Jim McElwain and his staff are busy this weekend hosting a large group of recruits on their official visits.
They watched the first half of the UF men's basketball team's 68-66 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday from the stands. Late in the first half, players Antonio Callaway, Marcell Harris, Johnny Townsend, Martez Ivey, Jordan Scarlett and Duke Dawson were introduced at midcourt, followed by McElwain.
After receiving a loud ovation for leading the Gators to back-to-back SEC East titles, McElwain fired up the sellout crowd at Exactech Arena with a bold statement likely aimed at those recruits in the building as much as the crowd.
"And it's because of these guys,'' said McElwain, pointing toward the six players on the court, "that when we get back to Atlanta this next season, we're going to kick the door down."
That is what Gator fans are hoping. Florida has lost to Alabama in the past two SEC Championship Games following a six-year absence in the game.
As McElwain enters his third season, the Gators are trying to close strong toward National Signing Day on Feb. 1.
Check out the video below for McElwain's appearance at the basketball game:
They watched the first half of the UF men's basketball team's 68-66 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday from the stands. Late in the first half, players Antonio Callaway, Marcell Harris, Johnny Townsend, Martez Ivey, Jordan Scarlett and Duke Dawson were introduced at midcourt, followed by McElwain.
After receiving a loud ovation for leading the Gators to back-to-back SEC East titles, McElwain fired up the sellout crowd at Exactech Arena with a bold statement likely aimed at those recruits in the building as much as the crowd.
"And it's because of these guys,'' said McElwain, pointing toward the six players on the court, "that when we get back to Atlanta this next season, we're going to kick the door down."
That is what Gator fans are hoping. Florida has lost to Alabama in the past two SEC Championship Games following a six-year absence in the game.
As McElwain enters his third season, the Gators are trying to close strong toward National Signing Day on Feb. 1.
Check out the video below for McElwain's appearance at the basketball game:
"When we get back to Atlanta next season, we're going to kick the door down!" -- @CoachMcElwain #GoGators #Swamp17 #ChompChomp pic.twitter.com/gUiURak6ha
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 21, 2017
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