Gators Notebook: Lochte Resurfaces, Season of Sumrall, Coach Speights, Remembering Lost Gators, More Tidbits
Friday, May 15, 2026 | General, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When you are Ryan Lochte, the modern news cycle can be choppy.
The former Gators All-American swimmer and Olympic champion has always been colorful and treated as such on social media. He took another ride on the roller coaster this week.
First, in an unexpected announcement to those who have followed Lochte since he arrived at UF 20 years ago and became one of the school's most decorated athletes, Missouri State hired Lochte as an assistant swim coach.
How many of you had that on your bingo card?
"Swimming gave me structure, purpose, and a platform to grow not just as an athlete, but as a person,'' Lochte said. "To now step into a coaching role and pour that experience back into student-athletes is something I take seriously."
In the wake of the surprising news, attention on the 41-year-old Lochte ratcheted up on social media. Next, Front Office Sports reported Lochte's $34-per-hour pay rate to move to Springfield, Mo., to coach college kids far from the spotlight. That created additional buzz on social media, but not nearly as much as when Lochte posted an Instagram video discussing the move.
Ryan Lochte made this post to explain his decision to join Missouri State as an assistant swim coach. 👇 https://t.co/G2c7SqFvkp
Social media wanted to know if that was really Lochte or FBI Director Kash Patel. EOnline.com has you covered if you want a deeper dive on Lochte's response. And of course, Lochte did a traditional interview with sports media that focused on why he is moving to Missouri and leaving Gainesville. Well, Missouri food is greater than Florida food, at least that is one of the reasons according to NYPost.com.
Lochte sounds ready for a fresh start, and perhaps he'll find his post-Olympian calling as a coach. He learned from the best at UF in Gregg Troy and Anthony Nesty, and trainer Matt DeLancey during grueling workouts that led to Olympic stardom.
SUMRALL SEASON
Gators head coach Jon Sumrall has been making the rounds this month meeting with high-level donors and media outlets around the state, building on the momentum heading into this first season.
Sumrall is doing whatever he can to build interest in a program coming off a 4-8 season and create the future he envisioned when he was hired in December.
"Some of them are one on one. Some of them are group settings," Sumrall said. "The one-on-ones are usually the folks that are maybe invested at the highest level. And the curtain gets pulled back pretty far. The more you're investing in our program, the more access I'll give you."
Gators HC Jon Sumrall says his friend Liam Coen came through in a HUGE way a few years ago when he was with the Rams, setting up a FaceTime call on Christmas for his son with his favorite player, Cooper Kupp. 🎄📱🏈 pic.twitter.com/HwZZIvyT5V
Meanwhile, the Gators have revamped their weight room for safety reasons and to help Rusty Whitt, the team's director of football performance, build up the roster the way he did for Sumrall at Troy and Tulane.
"When they start seeing the spacing and the organization that we're going to have, they're going to be excited about it," Whitt said.
COACH MO
Marreese Speights, the former UF center who was a freshman on the 2006-07 Gators national championship team, has a new job.
Polk State College hired Speights this week as its new men's basketball coach. Speights, who played 10 seasons in the NBA, served as head coach Northside Christian School in St. Petersburg this past season, leading the Mustangs to the Class 2A state semifinals.
Marreese Speights has returned to the O'Dome over the years to watch the Gators. (File photo: UAA Communications)
He is ready to move up the coaching ladder.
"Being from St. Petersburg, I spent a lot of time playing in Polk County," Speights told the school's website. "In 2023, I coached my team to a postgraduate championship in Polk State's gymnasium. When I used to play in that area, Polk County teams always played with grit and toughness and we're going to bring that to Polk State. I felt like Polk was where I was supposed to be. I'm excited to be part of something bigger than me."
In two seasons with the Gators, Speights played in 69 games – 36 starts – and averaged 9.5 points and 5.4 rebounds. The 76ers selected Speights in the first round (16th overall pick) of the 2008 NBA Draft.
RUEBEN'S ROAD
Speaking of centers, Florida big man Rueben Chinyelu had a large showing at the NBA Combine in Chicago.
On Monday, officials measured Chinyelu's hand length at 10 inches, the longest of any prospect at the NBA Draft Combine and tied with multiple players for the third-longest hand length in the history of the NBA Draft Combine, according to 247Sports.com. Chinyelu's hand width measured 10.25 inches. He recorded the largest wingspan at 7-foot-7.5 inches.
He received mixed reviews during individual workouts and remains a likely second-round pick or free-agent signee if he enters the draft if you trust most mock drafts. Chinyelu has until May 27 at 11:59 p.m. to make his final decision.
Chinyelu addressed his possible return to the Gators with a non-committal, but he is pleased at the return of teammates Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon.
Florida big man Rueben Chinyelu was non-committal on his stay-or-go move. Florida's retention of Tommy Haugh and Alex Condon is a factor, though.
"They want to, you know, do something special. … The Gators are looking great, you know, so I'm loving it." pic.twitter.com/e6PNpmBsQZ
Bob Hope, Jerry Seinfield, Rodney Dangerfield, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Jay Leno, Ray Ramono and Dave Chappelle are on the roster of comedians who have appeared over the years at Gator Growl, UF's student-run pep rally.
UF announced this week that Nikki Glaser will headline the event. Glaser is a veteran stand-up comedian and actress who increased her profile with her set on Netflix's "The Roast of Tom Brady," and she recently appeared as a guest judge on "American Idol."
They like their sports in Northeast Pennsylvania, known for its scenic Pocono Mountains and rich coal-mining heritage.
Moriah Murray certainly did while growing up in Dunmore, Pa., where she led the Dunmore High girls' basketball team to a 95-5 record over four seasons. And when basketball season ended, Murray was a starting pitcher and shortstop on the softball team.
Murray transferred to UF from Penn State as first-year Gators coach Tammi Reiss overhauled the roster. When Murray arrived, she had a couple of homeboys to catch up with.
"They both texted me, saying congratulations,'' Murray said. "That is super cool. I am excited to see them around campus."
Murray is talking about Gators football players Lacota Dippre and London Montgomery. Both players call Northeast Pennsylvania home as well. Dippre, a tight end who transferred to UF from James Madison after last season, is from Scranton, as is Montgomery, who transferred from East Carolina.
Dunmore and Scranton sit next to each other on the map, located about seven miles apart. Murray has a new home at UF, but she already knows some neighbors.
REMEMBERING LOST GATORS
There have been several former UF athletes to pass away recently. We want to take a moment to remember them and offer an opportunity to learn more about them:
J. Harrell Reid died April 23. Reid was known as the longtime sheriff of Hamilton County and former president of the Florida Sheriffs Association. However, after graduating from Jasper High and making the trek down south to enroll at UF, he was a Gators offensive lineman and roommate of quarterback Larry Rentz in the mid-to-late 1960s. James Harrell Reid – known as Harrell Reid when he played at UF – was 79 at the time of his death.
At 6-foot-7, 280 pounds, defensive lineman Sam Garland was a UF letterman from 1983-85. He was a starting defensive lineman and versatile enough to move to the offensive line his final season, including starting at offensive tackle in Florida's win over Kentucky in 1985. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL following his college career. Garland is one of those rare players who first signed with Florida State, and then after personal issues in his hometown of Fitzgerald, Ga., the Seminoles and Garland parted ways, opening the door for him at Florida. Samuel Albert Garland III, 62, died March 18 at his residence in Fitzgerald
Richard Skelly was talented enough as a running back that, despite a spotty career with the Gators, the New York Giants selected him in the third round of the 1963 NFL Draft. Skelly's time with the Giants was short, but he was a star on the UF freshman team in 1959, a breakout sophomore in 1960, and before a knee injury and suspension ruined his 1961 season, Skelly was projected to start. However, back when UF had a pen on campus that held a live alligator, Skelly and teammates Bob Hoover and Billy Cash played a prank that involved wrestling Albert. Skelly was suspended, which caused an uproar among fans and the media, but returned to the team in 1962 before being let go by Coach Ray Graves. Skelly later found success in the business world in his hometown of Jacksonville. Richard James Skelly Sr., 84, died peacefully on Nov. 19 at his home.
Here are more UF athletic alums who have died recently and links to their obituaries: Longtime NBA trainer Gary "The Bear" Briggs, who created the interlocking "UF" logo during his time with the Gators as I wrote about in 2021, passed away in January. His death was announced by the Utah Jazz … Doyce Lamar Jackson arrived at Florida as a highly-recruited defensive lineman from Bradenton Southeast in 1986. His college career never lifted off due to injuries, and after graduation from UF in 1990, he settled in the Atlanta area and became a longtime educator. Jackson died on Jan. 14 at age 57 … LeRon Williams was a talented basketball standout from Bradenton Southeast who started and averaged 10.0 points and 4.8 rebounds on Lon Kruger's last UF team during the 1995-96 season. He transferred and spent his final two seasons at South Carolina. Starlin LeRon Williamspassed away Feb. 2 at age 50 … Offensive lineman Joe Pupello, a member of Florida's "Family" O-Line from 1974-76, died in January. Pupello carved out a successful business career after football, including as owner of Tampa's landmark Tahitian Inn. Joseph Charles Pupello Sr. was 70 years old … Clinton Griffith, a UF lineman from 1971-74 after signing out of Baker County High, died Jan. 19 at age 73 (no online obituary). Griffith spent a brief stint with the Jacksonville Express of the World Football League before embarking on a long career in the U.S. Army … One of only two Gators selected in the 1979 NFL Draft, linebacker Michael Dupree spent a brief time in professional football before a distinguished career in the insurance industry in Tampa Bay. Michael Daniel Dupreepassed away at age 68 in late November … Howard Seal, a talented musician and walk-on defensive back who earned a scholarship in 1974, played on special teams and as a reserve cornerback.
BOBBLEHEAD GRADS
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum released its latest Gators-themed bobblehead on Friday morning.
This limited-edition item is part of the Graduation Bobblehead Series and features Albert and Alberta receiving their degrees.
Photo: Courtesy of National Bobblehead Hall of Fame
The series is individually numbered to the year the school was founded. In UF's case, they are producing 1,853 of the bobbleheads.
The bobbleheads are now available to order online at the following link, and scheduled to ship in November. UF held its Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies April 29 through May 4, with more than 11,000 students graduating.
STORY TO TELL
Former Gators offensive lineman Crawford Kerr, who played for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL, has written a book.
In a memoir titled "A One Way Ticket," Kerr writes about his time at UF and how it helped him succeed in the NFL. Kerr did not play football until his junior season at Dunedin High and started only a season.
That didn't stop him from finding his way to UF after a stop at a junior college.
He continued to thrive after the NFL, founding Ker's WingHouse and launching a successful career as an entrepreneur.
Murray transferred to UF from Penn State as first-year Gators coach Tammi Reiss overhauled the roster. When Murray arrived, she had a couple of homeboys to catch up with.
In a memoir titled "A One Way Ticket," Kerr writes about his time at UF and how it helped him succeed in the NFL. Kerr did not play football until his junior season at Dunedin High and started only a season.
