Scott Stricklin – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Florida AD Scott Stricklin talks stadium renovations

We know that renovations are coming for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, but could Florida build a new stadium entirely?

Florida fans haven’t taken kindly to athletic director Scott Stricklin’s proposed plan to renovate Ben Hill Griffin Stadium because of a potential capacity reduction, but his latest comments on the topic float an idea that might be even more unpopular: moving the stadium site entirely.

When talking to WRUF on Monday, Stricklin mentioned that the university has discussed potential new locations for a brand-new stadium. The current plan is to upgrade the stadium to give it a more modern feel and open up more areas for fans, but Florida is exploring all of its options before hiring an architect for the project.

The good news for Florida fans is that Stricklin understands the emotional attachment the fan base has to the stadium. He admitted that Ben Hill Griffin has “something sacred” about it and that the relocation idea was unlikely.

“The multi-phase renovation to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is intended to accomplish numerous improvements to this historic venue,” he said. “The goal is to preserve the energy and history while upgrading systems and spaces to better serve the University of Florida community and offer a broader variety of game experiences.”

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium turns 100 in just seven years. The upcoming renovations will be the most significant in its history. An architect should be hired by next month, which is when rumored plans will (or won’t) turn into physical blueprints.

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Florida Gators AD Scott Stricklin considering Jags games in Gainesville

Could the Jags call Ben Hill Griffin Stadium “home” for the next two years?

The Jacksonville Jaguars are facing a two-year diaspora from their home turf at TIAA Bank Field as the structure is scheduled to undergo a major facelift — not unlike the one that the venue experienced back in the mid-1990s.

While the effects of the instruction work ripple beyond the boundaries of Duval County all the way to Gainesville, Florida, and Athens, Georgia, given that the improvements will force UF and UGA to play their traditionally neutral site rivalry game somewhere else, those waves could also provide a financial windfall for the Sunshine State’s flagship school.

According to multiple recent reports, the Jax franchise has reached out to Florida’s athletic director Scott Stricklin about the possibility of hosting Jags games in the Swamp. Of course, there are plenty of other options on the table as well, but at very least, the offer appears to be intriguing.

“The Jaguars have shared their exciting vision for their stadium renovations with us and also expressed interest in having future conversations about where they would play games during the renovation,” Stricklin said. “It would be worth exploring hosting games in The Swamp. There are a lot of Jags fans in Gainesville given the close proximity to Jacksonville.”

Other stadiums under consideration are Camping World Stadium and FBC Mortgage Stadium (a.k.a the “Bounce House”) in Orlando, as well as Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee and – in what appears to be a bit of a long-shot — Wembley Stadium in London, England.

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Florida planning significant upgrade to football stadium

The Gators have plans to upgrade Ben Hill Griffin Stadium ahead of the 2024 season and it’s going to cost a pretty penny.

The Florida Gators are planning to significantly upgrade Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, according to athletic director [autotag]Scott Stricklin[/autotag] who appeared on ESPN 98.1 WRUF’s “Sportscene” Monday.

While blueprints haven’t been finalized, Stricklin says the athletic department has a general idea for the kind of renovations it wants and the upgrade is going to be significant. Of course, bringing the Swamp further into the 21st century costs a pretty penny.

“That is going to be by far the most ambitious facility project not only the University of Florida has ever done from an athletic standpoint, but it might be the biggest in SEC history, maybe even as big as any nationally,” Stricklin said. “It’s going to be, my guess is to fully renovate the Swamp, you’re looking at a few hundred million dollars.”

Florida’s last major upgrade to the stadium came in 2003 when the press box was expanded and club-level seats and luxury boxes were added. That project cost $55 million, so Florida is planning on a much larger facelift this time around.

“Really what you want to do is you want to make sure Ben Hill Griffin Stadium extends its useful life for several generations. Not a 10- or 15-year fix but a 75-year fix.”

New video boards and aesthetics are just the beginning of what is planned. Structural renovations will ensure the venue is among the top in college football for years to come, and some more space could be opened for gameday use.

It’s an ambitious project, but Stricklin has already done well building a new home for Florida baseball (Condron Ballpark) and the new Heavener Training Center.

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Updated move-in date set for Florida’s $85M football facility

UF has announced a new date for the opening of their $85 million football facility, the James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center.

Ribbon cutting day is almost upon the Florida Gators. Previously expected to be ready by the end of July, The James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center is scheduled to open on August 14.

The $85 million facility broke ground in June of 2020 on the site of the old Alfred A. McKethan Stadium, the former home of the Florida Gators baseball team before they moved into the new Florida Ballpark for the 2021 season.

Located next to the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, the new training center will be considered to be one of the best in the country, including brand new weight rooms, locker rooms, a rehabilitation facility with hydrotherapy, a cabana-style pool, a recording studio, barbershop, and much more.

While the football team and its staff will be housed in the new facility, it will also be open to all University of Florida student-athletes, with a new dining hall and lounge with the aim of connecting student-athletes across all sports.

While the project was funded, approved, and began construction during [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag]’s time in Gainesville, the facility reflects a clear intention from Florida athletic director [autotag]Scott Stricklin[/autotag] that the Gators will provide [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] with whatever he needs to be successful at the highest levels of college football.

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Here are the players expected to attend Florida’s recruiting weekend

Florida’s big recruiting weekend is here. Here is a list of players that the Gators are expecting to greet on campus this weekend.

The most important weekend in [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s Florida tenure to date is here. Florida’s annual Friday Night Lights event and Saturday’s recruiting cookout are the backdrops for what could be a massive momentum boost for the Florida Gators.

Friday is the Gators’ annual Friday Night Lights recruiting event where players get one-on-one work with Florida coaches and staff inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Saturday’s cookout is a new tactic Napier’s staff hopes will show the more personal side of Napier’s revamped Florida Gators program.

Prospects from the 2023, 2024 and 2025 classes will attend this weekend. All prospects will be able to see the Gators’ new James W. Heavener Football Training Center. While its doors have not officially opened (athletic director [autotag]Scott Stricklin[/autotag] stated it would be ready by the end of July) the recruits will get a first look at the $85 million facility.

Here is a list of prospect expected to attend this weekend, sourced by GatorCountry:

2023 – DT James Smith

2023 – DL Qua Russaw

2023 – DL/ATH Sam M’Pembha

2023 – DL Kamran James

2023 – DL Kelby Collins

2023 – DB Cormani McClain

2023 – S Bryce Thornton

2023 – DB Jordan Castell

2023 – DB Ja’Keem Jackson

2023 – LB Karmelo Overton

2023 – LB Desirrio Riles

2023 – LB Kaveion Keys

2023 – WR Andy Jean

2023 – Michael Mitchell (Utah Commit)

2023 – ATH Daquayvious Sorey

2023 – OL Tyree Adams

2023 – OL Caden Jones

2023 – Treyaun Webb (Florida Commit)

2023 – DB Sharif Denson (Florida Commit)

2023 – WR Eugene Wilson (Florida Commit)

2023 – WR Creed Whittemore (Florida Commit)

2023 – WR Tyree Patterson (Florida Commit)

2023 – OL Knijeah Harris (Florida Commit)

2023 – OL Bryce Lovett (Florida Commit)

2023 – DL Gavin Hill (Florida Commit)

2023 – TJ Searcy (Florida Commit)

2023 – DB Aaron Gates (Florida Commit)

2024 – QB DJ Lagway

2024 – RB Chauncey Bowens

2024 – RB Jerrick Gibson

2024 – WR Ric’Darious Farmer

2024 – WR James Randle

2024 – DL Kendall Jackson

2024 – DL David Stone

2024 – LB Myles Graham

2024 – DB Desmond Ricks

2024 – ATH Fred Gaskin

2024 – DB Kensley Faustin

2024 – DB Jaylen Heyward

2024 – DB Brayshon Williams

2025 – QB Antwaan Hill

2025 – QB Colin Hurley

2025 – QB Tramell Jones Jr.

2025 – ATH Vernell Brown III

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Top-10 2023 defensive lineman to visit pair of SEC teams this week

The Gators will host this top defensive lineman on the second leg of his late July recruiting tour.

Kelby Collins is in for a busy week. A top-10 defensive lineman in the 2023 class, the 6-foot-5-inch, 280-pounder is taking advantage of his summer vacation to make it on campus at two schools on his recruitment list. He told 247Sports that he would be on campus at Alabama during the week before making it to Gainesville this weekend for the Gators’ big recruiting weekend.

Friday is UF’s annual Friday Night Lights recruiting event where players get one-on-one work with Florida’s coaches and staff inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium while Saturday is Florida’s highly anticipated cookout for recruits. The four-star prospect is the latest to announce his attendance for the massive recruiting weekend, joining an unofficial list of 2023, 2024 and 2025 prospects that the Gators will look to make an impression on.

On top of the Friday Night Lights event and the cookout, recruits will get an in-person look at Florida’s brand new James W. Heavener Football Training Center. Athletic Director [autotag]Scott Stricklin[/autotag] said back in May that he expected the facility to be completed by late July, coinciding with this weekend’s recruiting events. Collins told 247Sports that he was looking forward to seeing the new facility this weekend, something that was not ready when he took his official visit to Florida on the first weekend in June.

Collins is considered to be the 8th-best player in the state of Alabama, according to the 247Sports composite. In addition to Florida, Collins has taken official visits to South Carolina and Georgia. He holds offers from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Oklahoma, among others. The Under Amour All-American says he plans to announce his commitment before his senior season.

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Where Florida football ranks ahead of 2022 season per Phil Steele

The Gators land inside the top 40 in Phil Steele’s latest preseason rankings but not nearly as high as the fans would hope.

Phil Steele has revealed his 2022 preseason top-40 poll with the Gators coming in at No. 32.

Steele is a professional and collegiate football journalist whose college football preview magazine has become a staple of the off-season cycle. In a post to Steele’s digital magazine, Steele slots the Gators in at No. 32, behind programs such as Boise State (No. 31), BYU (No. 26), and UAB (No. 21).

While the ranking could be a bit jarring for Gators fans, the ranking actually makes some sense. The Gators are coming off a 6-7 season that included a Gasparilla Bowl loss to in-state opponent UCF. They also went 2-6 in SEC play and lost their only conference wins coming against Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

Florida’s program is also undergoing an overhaul from top to bottom, and it starts with new head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]. Coming off a successful run at Louisiana, athletic director [autotag]Scott Stricklin[/autotag] has provided Napier the off-field resources he needed when he arrived in Gainesville, hiring a massive staff and injecting the program with a much-needed culture change.

While the teams ahead of Florida in the rankings may not traditionally be in a better position than the Gators, you can understand where Steele was coming from when ranking the Florida Gators. This time next year? It could be a different story.

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Scott Stricklin says football facility will be move-in ready in late July

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said the football facility will be ready for use in late July. (Finally.)

Florida athletic director [autotag]Scott Stricklin[/autotag] said that James W. Heavener Football Training Center will be ready for the Gators to move into in late July on the Gators Online podcast on May 12.

“We can’t wait for the facility to be completed,” Stricklin said. “It’s coming along really quickly and probably a couple of months away. So sometime in July, late July, our kids be able to get in there and can’t wait to show off all the incredible areas and the video wall and all the graphics.”

Since head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] took over the program, Stricklin said the graphics wall is one of the most notable tweaks that he made to the facility. Napier also had some walls moved around to create different spaces he wanted in the coaching area.

Napier said one of his favorite parts about the facility is the dining hall and the lounge that is available to all the student-athletes. He believes that will be a major boost to the rest of the athletic department.

“We’ve been through there,” Napier said. “And certainly, it’s gonna be a great day and when we move in there. A lot of work left to do. You know, I think we’re anticipating being in there before training camp starts.

“But it’s phenomenal. I think the more drywall that goes up, the more that you have a visual of what exactly it’s gonna look like. So, it’s gonna be a huge day for Florida football.”

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The Athletic thinks Florida football’s recruiting is ready to make the leap

Can Billy Napier lead the Gators to glory? The Athletic certainly thinks so.

New Florida football head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] and his staff have the huge task of rebuilding the program in the aftermath of the tumultuous end of the [autotag]Dan Mullen[/autotag] era.

Plagued by team culture issues, consistent underperformance on the field and indifference to recruiting, UF athletic director [autotag]Scott Stricklin[/autotag] quickly pivoted to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns’ skipper to right the ship with his more modern approach to the game — especially in recruiting.

The Gators’ recruiting rankings quickly plummeted after Mullen’s dismissal, though they were not spectacular to begin with. However, with five 2023 prospects committed and a rather optimistic outlook on many others, Florida is steadily creeping back up, coming in at No. 30 nationally according to 247Sports. That puts them ahead of big-name schools Alabama, Clemson, Oregon and Miami, albeit plenty of time remains for the tides to turn.

One of those who is bullish on the Orange and Blue’s chances of bouncing back over the next three years is The Athletic’s Ari Wasserman. He recently published his list of programs “that have the best chance to supplant one or more of … the top five in recruiting on a consistent basis in the next three years,” in response to a mailbag query.

Florida made the list and here is how Wasserman justified his pick:

The Gators are not too far removed from being one of the best programs in college football. And though they have always been a tough out in the SEC, there has been a significant drop off in the amount of talent coming through the doors. Billy Napier came from a Group of 5 program, but he completely revamped Florida’s recruiting department and he seems to “get it” in a way Dan Mullen didn’t. I’m looking forward to seeing the class Florida signs this year. I’d buy stock in the Gators right now.

Also mentioned were the USC Trojans, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Tennessee Volunteers and Miami Hurricanes, three of which are undergoing their own coaching changes. If the Gators can get going again on the recruiting trail as they did during the [autotag]Urban Meyer[/autotag] era, fun times could be ahead in the Swamp.

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Florida women’s soccer coach Tony Amato fired after one season

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin fired women’s soccer coach Tony Amato after one season.

Florida athletic director [autotag]Scott Stricklin[/autotag] fired women’s soccer coach [autotag]Tony Amato[/autotag] after one season without cause on Wednesday. The Gators finished 4-12-4 in their lone season under Amato.

The departure came after numerous players expressed concerns about Amato’s coaching style. Payton Titus of WUFT reported the players specifically complained about Amato’s approach to fitness, eating, weight and issues of body image.

Stricklin released this statement after the program made the decision to part with Amato:

“My thorough evaluation of the soccer program is that there is a disconnect between Tony and his athletes,” Stricklin said in a statement. “We have worked diligently with Tony since last fall when I first became aware of challenges with relationship building and communication. As the issues continued to be brought to my attention, it became apparent that sufficient progress was not being made and Tony was not a fit for the University of Florida.”

Florida will have to pay the remaining five years of his deal since he was fired without cause, which paid him $225,000 annually.

Amato’s departure is eerily similar to former Florida women’s basketball coach [autotag]Cameron Newbauer[/autotag] who was fired after players complained he was verbally abusive and created a toxic environment.

The Gators restructured their reporting process to make it easier for players to come forward with complaints after Newbauer’s departure.

Stricklin has been the athletic director at Florida since 2016. He has made four hires since then with three of them being essentially fired.

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