Gator Tales Podcast

In the final episode of the summer, host Adam Schick sits down for an exclusive interview with new football coach Billy Napier. The wide-ranging chat covers his upbringing in Georgia, how football ruled the roost in his family, when his dad gave him the coaching bug, what he learned from his time at Clemson and Alabama, the role of NIL in college football, his big-picture plan to turn around the Gators and much more. Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

On this special summer episode, host Adam Schick welcomes new basketball coach Todd Golden for an exclusive conversation. The chat dives into his early roots, why he developed a love for basketball, how the game took him across the globe, his unlikely path to coaching, how advanced analytics will shape the program going forward, how NIL will factor into the student-athlete experience, embracing the expectations in Gainesville and much more. Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

In his annual end-of-year conversation with host Adam Schick, athletic director Scott Stricklin covers the men’s and women’s track national titles, the work being done under new coaches to build football, men’s and women’s basketball and soccer, his favorite moments from this season, the imminent opening of the Heavener Football Training Center, the status of the long-planned rejuvenation of The Swamp, how the entire program is adjusting to the rapidly changing world of NIL deals, where he sees the SEC landing when it comes to football scheduling and opponents, the unknown future of the College Football Playoff and more. Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

After roller coaster seasons, both baseball and softball came to an end in the last week, with softball bowing out of the Women’s College World Series and baseball exiting its hard-fought, weather-delayed regional. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry for the final roundtable of the season, discussing the last stands for softball and baseball and the enduring stories from this athletic year (1:31). Then, the now-retired “Voice of the Gators” Mick Hubert joins us to share why the time was right to step away, the evolution of sports broadcasting since his debut and what he hopes to do moving forward (26:54). For more on Mick’s favorite moments and memories, scroll back in your feed and listen to Gator Tales #176 – 30 Years with Mick Hubert. Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

As the calendar turns to June, there are only two Florida teams still competing, and while there were some doubts throughout the spring they would make it this far, both baseball and softball have proven that success in their marathon sports isn’t about how you start, but the way you finish. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to discuss softball’s return to Oklahoma City, baseball’s unlikely path to hosting a regional, Ben Shelton’s championship run in the men’s tennis singles competition, revelations from the SEC meetings in Destin and our favorite action movies in the PAT (1:41). Then, new soccer coach Samantha Bohon shares her coaching philosophy, her path to leading the Gators and why it’s the only job that could have lured her away from her longtime post at Embry-Riddle (24:52). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Gator Tales #313: BB’s BT Riopelle and Gator Roundtable (SB, BB, MTN, LAX, FB, MBK) by Florida Gators

If you assumed the athletic season was going to start quietly winding down by mid-May, think again, as this past week was loaded with significant developments on and off the field. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the unexpected retirement of “The Voice of the Gators” Mick Hubert, a new leader for Florida soccer, men’s tennis rolling into the Elite Eight, softball’s upcoming NCAA regional, lacrosse facing an uphill climb to return to the Final Four, baseball’s hot bats, a key transfer for men’s basketball and the skyrocketing market for NFL color commentators in the PAT (1:47) Then, speed skater and Olympic gold medalist Erin Jackson shares how she went from being a bookworm in her time as a student at UF to a breakout international star on the ice (33:04). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

The postseason feel is definitely in the air for the Gators, especially in Gainesville, where both tennis teams hosted NCAA action this past weekend and softball is currently home to the SEC Tournament for the first time since 2005. On today’s show, host Adam Schick chats with FloridaGators.com senior writer Scott Carter about how things shook out for the Gators in the aftermath of the NFL Draft, baseball’s road surge, a twin killing for the tennis teams, another conference title for lacrosse and the future of umpires in the PAT (1:35). Then, softball’s resident ace Elizabeth Hightower stops by to share what it was like growing up in a small town without a single traffic light and how she developed a passion for the art of pitching (23:07). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

No matter the sport, we often measure athletes and coaches by milestones, and for softball coach Tim Walton, this week saw a big one added to his resume. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to discuss 1,000 wins for Walton, tough luck for baseball and Hunter Barco, Keyontae Johnson’s surprising entry to the transfer portal, the start of the repeat campaign for men’s tennis and memorable shocking moments in TV and movies in the PAT (1:36). Then, men’s tennis mainstay and Portugal native Duarte Vale shares why he chose tennis over soccer, how he ended up so far from home and the plan to bring another title to Gainesville (27:25). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

While it has flown mostly under the radar and doesn’t feature a Gator hovering near the top of the board like we saw in 2021, the NFL Draft hits Las Vegas this week, with Kaiir Elam hoping to give Florida a first round selection for the eighth time in nine years. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writer Scott Carter to discuss Florida’s draft prospects, a new direction for the soccer program, the continued dominance of men’s tennis, baseball’s growing pains and the perils of ring chasing in the PAT (1:36). Then, you’ll hear part two of our extended conversation with Katie Turner, as the assistant AD for recruiting strategy details the plan for Billy Napier to turn around the Gators’ operation (25:38). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Spring football came to a close last week, with the Orange & Blue Game putting a coda on Billy Napier’s first offseason leading the Gators. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to discuss takeaways from the well-attended scrimmage, Anthony Richardson under the spotlight, more transfer portal action for men’s basketball, gymnastics nearly claiming another national title and stinging sports gut punches in the PAT (1:32). Then, football’s head of recruiting strategy Katie Turner shares her fascinating backstory and how it led her to become an assistant athletic director in the SEC at just 27 years old (29:36). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

It certainly isn’t the same as running out of the tunnel in the fall, but Billy Napier is leading the Gators onto the field for the first time on Thursday night for a highly anticipated Orange & Blue Game. On today’s show, host Adam Schick takes a deep dive into one of the innovative new ways football is expanding the scope of what it means to be a Gator by talking to Savannah Bailey about the GatorMade program (1:54). Then, FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry discuss spring game storylines, Colin Castleton’s surprising return for basketball, gymnastics heading to the NCAA championships, baseball’s resurgence against the Hogs, the largest gift in the history of Gator Boosters and ideas for fixing the transfer portal in the PAT (29:20). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

It may not be obvious on the surface, but there was a championship theme connecting the Gators this week, as football continued building a championship mentality on the practice fields, gymnastics took the first step toward its championship hopes and men’s basketball welcomed back a key piece of its championship DNA. On today’s show, host Adam Schick is joined by FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the last full week of spring football practice, men’s basketball’s latest player/staff moves under Todd Golden, the record-setting performance from gymnastics at NCAA regionals, a tough stretch for baseball and the best storybook sports endings in the PAT (1:46). Then, two-time Olympic gold medalist and recently crowned NCAA champion Bobby Finke shares how he was molded into a word-class swimmer nearly from birth, where he keeps his medals and much more (31:30). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/Gat

Although spring technically started a couple weeks ago, when it comes to Gator athletics, the arrival of April is a clearer indicator of where we are on the athletic calendar and what sports are rising to the surface. On this week’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss how former Gators performed for scouts on Pro Day, the latest headlines from spring practice, basketball’s rapidly growing staff under Todd Golden, the start of gymnastics’ national title pursuit, Bobby Finke’s dominant showing at the NCAA swimming championships, baseball’s rebound against FSU and the fallout from the “slap heard ‘round the world” in the PAT (1:44). Then, Adam meets gymnast Leah Clapper and discovers how her exploits in the NIL space are arguably even more impressive than her many accomplishments in competition (28:56). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

A new era for Florida basketball began this week, as Scott Stricklin quickly narrowed in on upstart University of San Francisco coach Todd Golden to take over the men’s program and bring it back to prominence. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to do a deep dive on the new hire, sort through some significant stories from week one of spring football practice, discuss the latest heights for gymnastics, and in recognition of the Oscars, we’ll explore our favorite underrated movies in the PAT (1:32). Plus, Adam catches up with basketball “Gator Great” and fan favorite, Will Yeguete (29:52). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

When we talk about March Madness, we are generally referring to the games themselves. But as the college basketball world discovered this week, that can also extend off the court. On today’s show, host Adam Schick is joined by FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to discuss Mike White’s stunning exit from Gainesville, the start of a men’s basketball coaching search, women’s hoops preparing for the NCAA Tournament, a national title for the women’s track and field program and how to properly balance emotion and analytics in sports in the PAT (1:39). Then, newly minted national champion and NCAA 60-meter hurdle record holder Grace Stark stops by to talk about her blazing performance and how Grant Holloway has served as a critical mentor (34:33). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

The gold standard for Florida basketball in the last two decades is obviously the “Oh-Fours” and the back-to-back titles they delivered. But on the next rung below that era, you’re sure to find the core that led UF to the “Elite Eight” in four consecutive years, eventually breaking through to the Final Four in 2014. That group was unquestionably led by Patric Young, who came to Gainesville as a decorated McDonald’s All-American and breathed new life and passion into the program after the dip that followed the 2006-07 glory. In a conversation that took place just before he assumed his new role with the SEC Network, Patrick took host Adam Schick on a journey spanning from Jacksonville to Greece and beyond.

In case you failed to check your calendar in the last few days, it’s already March, which means everyone is talking about resumes and thinking about brackets. On today’s show, we’ll welcome FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to discuss men’s basketball’s rescue at Vanderbilt and the critical finale with Kentucky, Kelly Rae Finley’s newly minted status as head coach of the women, a spectacular showing for gymnastics on senior night and true life tales Hollywood needs to produce in the PAT (1:33). Then, women’s basketball’s All-SEC First Team star Kiki Smith shares her story and sheds light on how this remarkable season has come to pass (25:13). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

This is a milestone episode of the official podcast of the Gators, but given how many events are packed into the current calendar, there is hardly time to reflect on how we got to 300 shows, but whether this is your first time downloading an episode or you were with us when we launched in August 2015, we are glad you are here! On today’s show, host Adam Schick is joined by FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to discuss the thin margin of error for men’s basketball’s tournament hopes, continued respect and accolades for women’s hoops, a tough opening weekend for baseball, SEC championships delivered by men’s swimming and gymnastics, and appropriate punishments for sports crimes in the PAT (1:44). Then, we’ll get to know another one of men’s basketball’s bevy of transfers and one of the most unique names you’ll ever meet in Phlandrous Fleming (27:19). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

While it’s still technically winter, it certainly starts to feel like spring with weekends like the one upcoming in Gainesville, when both basketball squads, baseball, softball and lacrosse are all in action on campus at the same time. On today’s show, host Adam Schick is joined by FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to discuss men’s basketball on the wrong side of the bubble, the new frontrunning status enjoyed by women’s hoops, the youngest baseball team on record, softball’s slugging start and a wide-ranging chat about the controversies ensnaring the Olympics in the PAT (1:41). Then, Jeff Cardozo catches up with head coach Kevin O’Sullivan to preview a baseball season filled with both promise and an incredible amount of youth (26:25). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.