Florida Gators: Uncertain Futures with Championship Hopes

The optimism that lies in hope is coupled with the uncertainties of the future when transition is occurring. Since the eleven successful years by Steve Spurrier the football program has hired its fourth coach in 14 years. In his 19 years as head basketball coach, Billy Donovan brought Florida Gators basketball to heights it had never experienced. Now under the leadership of Jim McElwain and Michael White the football and basketball programs are attempting to recapture the glory that was achieved during the ‘90s and into the ‘00s. Since 2010 the football program has struggled, and after four consecutive elite eight appearances and one final four trip, the basketball team went through its first losing season since Donovan’s inaugural year in 1996.

The standards at the University of Florida have skyrocketed and while we have seen coaches and players come and go, one thing has remained constant and that’s Jeremy Foley. During his tenure as athletic director Foley has built one the best athletic programs in the SEC — proven by the nine consecutive first place finishes in the SEC All-Sports Trophy standings. We have seen back to back national titles by the softball team; a national championship three-peat by the gymnastics team; add a SEC Conference Tournament Title and College World Series appearance by the baseball team; continued success in track and field and the volleyball team. Even with those achievements there have been questions concerning Foley’s ability to lead into the future. We must not be too hasty in passing judgment. Foley’s track record has earned him the opportunity to evolve during this facilities arm race and cost of attendance era. I believe he will continue to successfully guide the overall program and sustain it as one of the best in the nation.

Although Foley has hired phenomenal championship coaches, the hits and misses on football coaches hangs over his head and the recent hire of up and comer Michael White has potential to be boom or bust. As we all know, coaching searches can become a media nightmare and everyone seemingly has a source that has the scoop on the next hire. One of the more difficult things to accomplish during a coaching transition, especially at an elite program, is not listening to the voices that crowd the airwaves. Jeremy Foley could have gone out and thrown money at big name coaches and while everyone was thinking about a coach to compete with Saban and Calipari, Foley chose to make a hire that would be loyal to the university and make Gator Nation proud for many years. Portions of fans are still on the fence with both hires but I am intrigued by the potential of both and excited about the possibilities. We will all observe if the personality of Jim McElwain can stand up in the midst of adversity and be strong when the grind of the SEC becomes unrelenting. Will McElwain fare better than the previous coach when things got tough? Will he be able to flourish and bring the program back to the peak of the top conference in America? All eyes will be inspecting how the young, energetic White builds his own legacy after following the greatest coach in Florida basketball history and arguably in school history, regardless of the sport. It will be fascinating to observe McElwain and White as they lead their respective programs into this new era.

As both teams go through leadership changes there is a renewed focus on the overall presentation of the football and basketball programs. I believe this shift will result in a more enjoyable product for fans and continue bringing in great student athletes. The cry for facility upgrades has been heard and potential recruits are already raving about it and thankfully we are no longer subject to the #Comeplayforthejoker recruiting tactics.

I see an increased polish on the program that was very much needed. Florida does not have to keep up with the Jones’, but they do have to be progressive as the mentality of today’s athlete evolves. Quality student athletes are not the only component that brings success, but it is a major piece of the puzzle. Nationwide a new premium has been placed on building the brand of a program and just being the University of Florida is not good enough to bring in the best athletes and sustain the success we desire to see for an extended period of time.

When a program reaches the stratosphere that the University of Florida athletics has, the standards become nearly unattainable. The beauty of that mentality is that it drives an individual or team to be better, but unfortunately it causes some to buckle under the pressure. Years from now, we will look back and talks around the dinner table, in the barbershop and on the radio will be had about the Montana born product Jim McElwain and the former Ole Miss Rebel player and coach Michael White. Time will eventually tell the story if they met the standard of leading championship level programs to more championships.

The type of hires made by Foley did not cause a media stir and proclaim them can’t miss decisions. They might have made you question the leadership more, but Gator Nation, don’t lose hope. Though growing pains may still exist, don’t be discouraged. We would rather have the growing pains of the process, than to be dealt a death sentence of low expectations and apathetic fans. Transition has always presented the uncertainties that grip the fan base’s heart, but in transition there is hope! The hope that believes the next pass, the next shot, will be the one that turns mediocrity into greatness.

The University of Florida has a tradition of excellence and we must support with that in mind. With the 2015 fall season fast approaching, our hopes are that it will be remembered for being a catalyst to another great run of championships, but our uncertainty is that it could be the beginning of another misfire at the top of the flagship athletic teams of the University of Florida. Many great moments in Gator history have allowed us to hold on to the notion that the Gator Nation will rise again on the gridiron and sustain the success on the hardwood. It was the 1994 final four run to Charlotte, the 1996 National title in New Orleans and the magical run from 2006 to 2008 that saw four combined national titles between football and basketball. These moments have built such a rich athletic program that we can all be proud of and celebrate. If the past has any bearing on the future and if tomorrow give us any hope, the sun will shine once again on the murky waters of The Swamp.

Kevin Camps
Kevin, a lifelong Gator fan has followed and studied Florida football since 1990. He is a Gainesville native that has experienced many great triumphs of Florida football. Born and raised as a Gator, Kevin loves to talk and promote the Gator Nation. When not talking Gators, Kevin is spending time with his wife and five kids, serving in his church or grilling great bbq.