Daniel Starkman (left), Colby Donovan (center) and David Moats unload the Gators' plane in Dallas upon arriving for the 2014 Final Four.
Florida Managers: Where Are They Now?
Tuesday, August 13, 2019 | Men's Basketball
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By: Denver Parler
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The managers of Florida men's basketball know the meaning of hard work. When they forge successful paths after graduating from UF, it comes as no surprise. Many continue working in basketball, but others pursue careers outside of the game.
The support Florida's managers provide to players and staff keep the Gators' program running, and their team-first mentality help cultivate the family-type atmosphere within the program.
Some Florida managers have stories that Gators fans might be familiar with, such as UMass head coach and former UF assistant coach Matt McCall, Orange Bowl CEO Eric Poms, Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Mike Weinar or the University Athletic Association's very own senior associate AD at the Hawkins Center, Jeff Guin.
We decided to catch up with some of the Gators' recent managers and see where their careers have taken them since their time in Gainesville.
Josh Adel, 2007-12
Adel joined Richard Pitino's staff at FIU for one season then accompanied Pitino to Minnesota in 2013 where he worked first as video coordinator and now as assistant to the head coach.
Adel: "I was a manager for 5 years and the job is more or less a collection of duties/responsibilities that no one else wants. Even though it may not sound all that appealing to an 18-year-old freshman, my time as a manager provided me with a work ethic, humility, and invaluable experiences and interactions with a diverse group of people working towards a common goal. One clear similarity between Coach White and Coach Donovan is they do an outstanding job of managing a program. Empowering their employees and giving them a sense of purpose creates a standard of excellence that can be used in any business or profession, not just basketball. I am very fortunate that I was able to forge relationships with people from UF that have helped me with job opportunities and friendships that I will cherish all my life.
Kyle Benzion, 2010-11
Although Benzion worked just one season as a manager during his freshman year at UF, that helped lay the foundation for a career in sports. After graduating from UF, Benzion had stints at the University of Nebraska and George Washington University working in digital and social media before landing in his current position as the Atlanta Falcons' social media manager in 2016.
Benzion: "Being a basketball manager at UF my freshman year of college was an eye opening experience that I believe helped set me up for success in the sports world. Seeing how much time and effort coaches put into perfecting their craft was amazing. I grew up idolizing guys like Larry Shyatt and Billy Donovan. When you actually work with them and see their attention to detail in everything they did, it was a great example to me. Being a manager taught me a lot about time management, organization, work ethic (along with the best ways to fold laundry). It has absolutely helped pave the way for me to work in sports. Although I don't work in basketball anymore, the work ethic that it takes to make those around you better, lives throughout sports. That was really my first taste of what it takes to be great. I am forever thankful for the University of Florida basketball program for allowing me to learn as a manager as a freshman and help set me up for success."
Brandon Gilbert, 2011-14
Gilbert worked as the director of basketball operations at Samford for four years (2014-18) before joining Florida Atlantic's staff as assistant to the head coach in 2018. At FAU, Gilbert works for former Florida assistant coach Dusty May, although the two never crossed paths at UF.
Gilbert unloads the Gators' airplane in Dallas upon arriving for the 2014 Final Four.
Gilbert: "My time working at Florida was truly invaluable. Obviously it was a lot of fun with the amount of games we won and all the success we had on the court (We won 91 games in my three years with the team, 2 SEC Championships, 2 Elite Eights and a Final Four). But what I will honestly remember the most about my time at Florida was the people I was around every day. The coaching staff made everyone feel like family and the relationships I established with the coaches, players, and fellow managers will last a lifetime.
"Looking back, it wasn't just the immense amount of basketball knowledge that I was able to gain in my three years but the biggest value was seeing first-hand the standard of excellence that was created by the coaching staff and the relentless work ethic that it takes to be successful both as a player and as a coach.
"I was at Samford University in my 4th year as Director of Basketball Operations when Coach May got the job at FAU. I had actually never met Coach May before, but there were countless connections. Being around Coach May this past year at Florida Atlantic has been an unbelievable experience and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity."
Ryan McCloskey, 2013-18
McCloskey worked as both a video coordinator and a graduate manager at Florida and joined the Rhode Island staff as a video coordinator in 2018.
McCloskey: "Being around such great people, from coaches, players, Ms. Tracy & (Mike) Robuck, Mr. Johnny, and everyone involved in Gator Hoops was such a daily blessing you don't fully appreciate until you move on. I always knew Florida was a special place to "grow up" in the business, but what you miss most is all the people you get to work with, talk to, and be around every day.
"The number of coaches at all levels with Gator ties is impressive and really is a family. I actually got my current position through the help of a former UF coach, Rashon Burno, going well out of his way to make sure I had an opportunity to get into this competitive business.
"[I learned] to take a lot of pride in the little things – whatever role or responsibility I was given, I got a lot of fulfillment in just doing a good job and always felt like everyone from top to bottom appreciates hard work and dedication to the program. I catch myself a lot taking lessons from my time at Florida (from drills to operational things) and applying them to what I am doing now."
Other recent managers of note:
Brian Barton, 1996-2002, Sr. Associate AD, Capital Projects, Facility & Event Management, UCF Athletics
(L-R) Caleb McKinley, Sam Hershberger, Jack Warren, Ryan Jackson, Ryan McCloskey and Benjamin Gonzalez pose at Florida's practice day at American Airlines Center in Dallas at the 2018 NCAA Tournament. McKinley, Warren and Jackson will all be on the Gators' manager staff for the upcoming 2019-20 season.
