Graphic: Scott MacCord/UAA Communications
Coaches Asked About Gators, Butler in Boston, More Tidbits
Wednesday, November 1, 2017 | General, Football, Scott Carter
The Gators' search for a head football coach has led to questions for other coaches from coast to coast.
The rumor mill spits out every conceivable scenario possible, including some that actually border on truth. In the early days of a coaching search like the one Gators Athletic Director Scott Stricklin is currently conducting after the departure of Jim McElwain, the list of candidates stretches far and wide.
You have probably already seen dozens of names mentioned as potential hires this week, everyone from former UF head coach Steve Spurrier to ex-Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops to current Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen.
Stricklin gets it. There is a ton of media and fan interest in who is going to be Florida's next football coach. Still, be careful what you believe.
When Stricklin spoke at his press conference Sunday night to announce the separation agreement with McElwain, he cautioned close observers to be diligent in what they assume to be true during the search.
"I'd ask for everyone's patience as we go through the process,'' he said. "At some point in the future I'm going to stand up here and introduce the next head coach of the Florida Gators. Until then, I ask you to take whatever you hear with a grain of salt."
Having covered multiple coaching searches as a sports journalist prior to accepting this role, it can be difficult for the most prudent reporter to separate fact and fiction amidst the swirling agendas of the various parties involved.
You must rely heavily on your most trusted sources and talk to as many people as you can. In today's 24/7 news cycle, the challenge is greater than ever, and with so many different media outlets and fan blogs competing for clicks, misinformation is at an all-time high.
Here at FloridaGators.com, we promise to report and write as much as possible on the Gators' new coach when Stricklin makes a hire. Until then, we'll try to provide updates when possible and sort fact from fiction when called upon.
If you don't take everything you hear or read too seriously, staying plugged into the search for a college football coach sure can be entertaining. One of the first chapters of any search is to find out what the perceived top candidates have to say about the opening.
That game has started. Whether any of these coaches are actual candidates or simply candidates in the media remains to be seen. But let's see what they have to say just for fun:
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Former Nebraska quarterback Scott Frost, in his second year as head coach at UCF, is getting a lot of attention for what he's done with the No. 15-ranked Knights (7-0) …
--@UCF_Football Scott Frosts' full response today about ignoring job rumors and how his team has 100% of his focus. pic.twitter.com/NhCaPOUesr
— Despina (@DespinaBarton) October 30, 2017
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Florida native Willie Taggart had success as USF's head coach and is now in his first season at Oregon, where he responded to questions about the Florida rumors …
When Willie Taggart's son texted him, during school, about rumors he was off to Florida, Willie knew he had to address the team. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/mjBJmhpyla
— Mike Skow (@MikeKEZI9) November 1, 2017
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Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen was Florida's offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer and was a part of two national championship teams at UF …
Mississippi State's Dan Mullen was asked about Florida speculation today. See what he said (H/T: WTVA) https://t.co/Lkg4Cn5XZc pic.twitter.com/beuc8eWK5r
— Chris Hudgison (@ChrisHudgison) October 31, 2017
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Charlie Strong has strong ties to UF. In his first season as USF's head coach, naturally Strong was asked about interest in the UF job ...
Charlie on UF rumors #USF pic.twitter.com/UzUj5cCfjx
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) October 31, 2017
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In a season that has featured its share of misfortune, the loss of fifth-year senior defensive end Jordan Sherit still resonates painfully for the Gators.
Sherit worked his way back from a pair of knee injuries and was producing the best season of his UF career until a hip injury late in the second half of Florida's loss to Texas A&M. Sherit underwent surgery on his injured right hip recently and is done for the season.
Sherit had 23 tackles, a team-high 9 quarterback hurries, 5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks prior to falling to the turf and being carted off the field Oct. 14. The loss of Sherit not only strips the Gators of one of their top defensive players, but creates a void in the locker room.
Sherit's lead-by-example style and veteran voice will be missed. He resurfaced on social media with a message for Gator Nation in case you missed it:
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For the first time in more than a decade, Amanda Butler is doing something this time of year rather than preparing the UF women's basketball team for its upcoming season.
Butler spent a month in Boston recently with the Celtics at the invitation of Boston coach Brad Stevens. Boston Globe writer Adam Himmelsbach with the story:
Amanda Butler emailed Stevens in August & next thing she knew she was in every Cs practice and meeting for a month: https://t.co/ETrHWmAgKx
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) October 25, 2017
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Gators midfielder Parker Roberts has impressive credentials as a member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team. Now she has a "SportsCenter" highlight.
Roberts made a spectacular bicycle-kick save – the first of her career – in Florida's 2-1 win at Tennessee on Oct. 22. Roberts' save came in the first half of a scoreless tie after Tennessee's Danielle Marcano chipped a shot past UF goalkeeper Kaylan Marckese. Marcano's shot was headed for the net until Roberts' flicked her right foot into action and kicked the ball back into play.
Meanwhile, Marckese and Marcano collided and dropped to the ground, missing Roberts' play of the game, which ESPN ranked No. 2 in its "SportsCenter Top 10."
The Gators face Texas A&M on Thursday night in the SEC Tournament semifinals. Check out Roberts' spectacular play if you missed it:
?? That bicycle ?? klck save by @parkerrRoberts in ???? 2-1 win at No. 11 Tennessee is a @ESPN #SCTop10#WeChomp pic.twitter.com/7DX7gr4b10
— Gators Soccer (@GatorsSoccer) October 23, 2017
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The folks at Palm Beach Autographs adjusted the price on these McElwain helmets and reported that they sold out soon thereafter …
The guys at @pbautographs reduced their price of signed Jim McElwain mini helmets to $22.12. He won 22 and lost 12 at the school. pic.twitter.com/f4XgoDYa9X
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) October 30, 2017
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Speaking of helmets, hats off to @SteveBCreations for production of this cool Gators gear that drew rave reviews on Twitter …
Finished a fauxback @GatorsFB helmet. It was a fun project. Also my first project using a @RiddellSports Speed helmet. #helmetnerd pic.twitter.com/Wf3NNwjhGB
— The Tao of Steve B. (@SteveBCreations) November 1, 2017
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Which Gators team won Halloween? I'm giving it to the UF volleyball team on their trip to Kentucky …
Off to Lexington. Happy Halloween! pic.twitter.com/asrBFs2uHI
— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB) October 31, 2017
Players Mentioned
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