- Jun 13, 2014
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Founding Member
Mentioning this in the Grossman/Berlin thread, it seems every time the Gators get a good thing going, it prematurely terminates, at least in terms of what might have been.
The obvious examples are Steven Spurrier, who should have been a multi-generational signature coach for UF, but circumstances and many variables ended this way, way too soon.
The other obvious example is Billy Donovan, who could have had every significant basketball thing named after him if he had stayed for his career. But, like Spurrier, he had other itches and maybe many of the same variables that Spurrier dealt with at Florida. We can only hope he doesn't return back from the NBA and coach South Carolina.
But there are other examples that I am sure that I am not aware of, plus some that maybe did last a good amount of time that should be celebrated but maybe are not.
Here are two in particular that I was very aware of while living in Gainesville and having interacted with during my time there:
1. Andy Brandi, Women's Tennis
Brandi is a legend and Lady Gator Tennis was awesome with him there. He was a forever congenial dude and we were constant threats at the top during his tenure. He resigned in 2001 after a perfect conference record and NCAA Semifinals run. He was there from 85-01 but felt like he could have gone for another 20 years.
2. Mary Wise, Volleyball
28 seasons at the helm of Gator Volleyball and it has been an incredible run of success. This type of tenure is what I would have hoped for Spurrier and Donovan and Florida. The ultimate prize has eluded her and maybe you could hold that against her program, but Coach Wise is exactly what I want in a coach for a Florida program and her success at a program that never had it before she arrived is extremely appreciated as is her commitment to the Orange and Blue.
Would love to hear any other examples!
The obvious examples are Steven Spurrier, who should have been a multi-generational signature coach for UF, but circumstances and many variables ended this way, way too soon.
The other obvious example is Billy Donovan, who could have had every significant basketball thing named after him if he had stayed for his career. But, like Spurrier, he had other itches and maybe many of the same variables that Spurrier dealt with at Florida. We can only hope he doesn't return back from the NBA and coach South Carolina.
But there are other examples that I am sure that I am not aware of, plus some that maybe did last a good amount of time that should be celebrated but maybe are not.
Here are two in particular that I was very aware of while living in Gainesville and having interacted with during my time there:
1. Andy Brandi, Women's Tennis
Brandi is a legend and Lady Gator Tennis was awesome with him there. He was a forever congenial dude and we were constant threats at the top during his tenure. He resigned in 2001 after a perfect conference record and NCAA Semifinals run. He was there from 85-01 but felt like he could have gone for another 20 years.
2. Mary Wise, Volleyball
28 seasons at the helm of Gator Volleyball and it has been an incredible run of success. This type of tenure is what I would have hoped for Spurrier and Donovan and Florida. The ultimate prize has eluded her and maybe you could hold that against her program, but Coach Wise is exactly what I want in a coach for a Florida program and her success at a program that never had it before she arrived is extremely appreciated as is her commitment to the Orange and Blue.
Would love to hear any other examples!