Gator Tales Podcast

The athletic calendar starts filling up quickly in mid-February, with the contrast of new campaigns for softball and baseball opening at the same time the stretch runs for basketball begin. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to discuss men’s basketball skating on the bubble, women’s basketball’s most impressive week yet, a landmark NIL deal for the Gators and if Tom Brady belongs on the all-time “Mount Rushmore of Sports” in the PAT (1:35). Then, softball coach Tim Walton stops by to preview the 2022 season and reveal the new tricks he’s added to his coaching repertoire in the offseason (28:57). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

While the early signing period has taken many of the top prizes off the board, National Signing Day is still a big deal and a natural way to mark the arrival of February on the calendar. On today’s show, host Adam Schick is joined by FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss how Billy Napier closed his first class, the players expected to fill the most urgent needs, men’s basketball’s battles from behind and the worst team names in sports in the PAT (1:34). Then, we’ll get to know basketball big man Jason Jitoboh, including his incredibly unique journey across multiple continents to become a Gator (29:20). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Part of what makes Florida the “everything school” is consistent success across all sports over many years, and almost every program on campus has enjoyed multiple runs of glory in the last 30 years. The one team still battling to stake its claim is women’s basketball, and despite the incredible adversity they’ve faced throughout the last seven months, they have become one of the most surprising stories of the year. On today’s show, host Adam Schick is joined by FloridaGators.com senior writer Scott Carter to discuss his trip to Billy Napier’s hometown, the surging strength and remarkable resiliency of the women’s basketball team, the former Gators grabbing national headlines in the NFL playoffs and the raging debate over overtime rules in the PAT (1:53). Then, women’s basketball interim head coach Kelly Rae Finley stops by to share her coaching journey and how she has guided the program to success under enormously difficult circumstances (26:35). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you h

Mike White’s team entered this week badly needing to get off the deck in the SEC, and they did just that, getting their first conference win at South Carolina, then returning home and completing a double-digit comeback against Mississippi State. On today’s show, we’ll welcome FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to discuss men’s basketball’s big week, “Phase One” getting underway for football, a historic meet for gymnastics, women’s basketball’s continued resiliency and the often surprising impact of celebrity deaths in the PAT (1:43). Then, men’s basketball assistant coach Erik Pastrana joins us to share how a kid from Miami found his calling in coaching and the path he hopes to pave for more Latino representation on the sidelines (34:12). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Gator Tales #294: Gator Roundtable (MBK, FB, WBK) and Gym’s Megan Skaggs by Florida Gators

A new year brings new possibilities and opportunities, but unfortunately, the arrival of 2022 didn’t spell the end of COVID-19, as the virus continues to have an impact on every aspect of society – college sports included. After protocols postponed last week’s SEC opener for men’s basketball, Mike White’s team returned to the court on Wednesday after an unexpected two-week hiatus. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Chris Harry and Scott Carter to discuss basketball’s outing against Alabama, the latest twists and turns of the transfer portal, sky-high expectations for the start of gymnastics and the strangest sports stories they’ve ever covered in the PAT (1:48). Then, senior guard Myreon Jones drops by to talk about transitioning from Penn State to UF, the chemistry of “Team Transfer” and why he started his own podcast (35:26). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

While so much of the recent discussion around the football program has been centered on the future and the massive staff Billy Napier is assembling, there was one more game for the 2021 Gators to complete before fully entering the transition. On our final show of 2021, host Adam Schick is joined by FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the Gasparilla Bowl, how Billy Napier’s growing operation is expected to function, the COVID spike’s impact on both basketball programs and John Madden’s legacy in the PAT (1:38). Then, senior running back Dameon Pierce stops by to reflect on his amazing career and the memories and impact made along the way (35:49). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

There are few events in college football met with more intrigue than a coaching search. While following the carrousel has always been a whirlwind, the age of social media and easily accessible flight trackers have only upped the ante for fans looking for the inside scoop. But amidst all the chaos, only one person truly knows the inner workings of the process, and that’s the individual running it – in this case, athletic director Scott Stricklin. On this special episode, host Adam Schick welcomes Scott to find out everything that happened from the moment he decided a change was necessary up until the announcement of the Billy Napier era, filling in all the details from behind the curtain that outsiders can always guess, but never know – until now. Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Part of the thrill of college athletics is the fact there is always new blood coming in, so while some of your favorite athletes may be seniors or on their way out, there are freshmen waiting in the wings to become new stars. With the early period of National Signing Day upon us and a major defection happening in its shadow, this week had a little bit of everything for the Gators. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the departure of Emory Jones, surprises from signing day, how Deion Sanders shook up the world of college football, the state of men’s basketball entering a break, the streaking women’s hoops squad and great shooting performances in the PAT (1:49). Then, men’s basketball grad transfer Brandon McKissic shares his story, including how the social unrest in his hometown of Ferguson shaped him as a teen and why he ultimately left the state of Missouri for the first time in his life to become a Gator (32:55). Please subsc

While his pending arrival was already announced a week prior, the new sheriff pulled into town for the first time on Sunday afternoon to the excitement of a Gator Nation hungry for the sustained success that has eluded the program over the last decade. On this week’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to weigh in with first impressions on Coach Napier’s introduction, the plan he intends to implement, an intriguing bowl game on the horizon, an up-and-down week for men’s basketball and odd coaching fits in the PAT (1:43). Then, senior volleyball star Marlie Monserez discusses being the last of the three Monserez sisters to play for the Gators, contributing to many of Mary Wise’s 1,000 career wins and her unique obsession with making pottery (34:37). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Just before the coaching carousel started spinning wildly out of control, Florida presented the calm before the storm with a quick and direct search that led to Louisiana’s Billy Napier as the new head football coach of the Gators. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the new direction of the program, a chaotic rivalry win over the Seminoles, an action-packed week for men’s basketball and the latest wave of moral questions posed by the shifting college football landscape in the PAT (1:35). Then, women’s basketball transfer Zippy Broughton talks about transitioning from the Big Apple to Gainesville, mixing meditation with athletics and much more (37:08). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Change is almost always difficult, and in the business of college sports, it can come swiftly and often inevitably. Following the loss to Missouri that left a once promising season sitting at 5-6, athletic director Scott Stricklin decided it was time for a new direction, ending Dan Mullen’s four-year tenure leading the football program. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to address the move from all angles, including what went wrong, the type of coach it will take to turn it around and what it means for the immediate future of a team fighting to beat its archrival and get bowl-eligible. Also, the roundtable will hit on a promising start for men’s basketball and Thanksgiving sports memories in the PAT (2:01). Then, tight end Key-mar-A Gamble shares his best memories from his Gator career, how he has grown over the course of his time in the program and the personal tragedy he’s fought through to make it to the finish line that is senior da

Football was hungry for a win last week in The Swamp, and they got that against Samford. Meanwhile, men’s basketball was specifically seeking a streak-busting win against Florida State, and they found that magic in the O’Dome to ignite their new season. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry join us to discuss football’s unexpected shootout, Emory Jones’ record-setting performance, the challenges awaiting at Missouri, men’s basketball’s narrative-setting victory over the Seminoles and sports figures most deserving of the big screen treatment in the PAT (1:45). Then, sophomore Gervon Dexter joins us to discuss how he is taking cues and learning from fellow defensive lineman Zach Carter, handling expectations as a five-star recruit and much more (34:35). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

As Dan Mullen frequently points out, the beauty of competition is there’s always a winner and a loser, so regardless of the game, there are stakes. The Gators have unfortunately found themselves on the wrong side of that equation lately, and as a result, some significant changes came within the football program after the loss at South Carolina. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the shake-up to the coaching staff and what it means for the immediate future, the shift in tone from the top, men’s basketball’s opening night win, women’s basketball’s solid start, the passing of “Gator Great” Ronnie Williams and the best farewell tours in the PAT (1:45). Then, redshirt-freshman Richie Leonard shares how he ended up on Florida’s offensive line, how he drew inspiration from his mom’s battle against breast cancer and more (32:30). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGator

While the season is nearing its end, four games still remain for the Gators to finish out strong, so Dan Mullen spent this week ensuring everyone was on the same page and holding onto the proverbial rope. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the aftermath of Florida/Georgia, the turnover challenges plaguing the Gators, the manageable road ahead, men’s basketball’s public debut and memorable exotic trips around the world in the PAT (1:35). Then, recent Florida/Georgia Hall of Fame inductee Keiwan Ratliff takes us through his early life, incredible Gator career and how his post-NFL life brought him back to Gainesville (24:43). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

After taking a week to rest and reset, the Gators have a herculean task ahead of them, as a date with top-ranked Georgia looms this weekend in Jacksonville. Meanwhile, not too far away on campus, the reshaped and rejuvenated men’s basketball squad is tuning up for its debut around the corner. On today’s show, host Adam Schick opens up the Gator Roundtable with FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the latest chapter in the book of Florida/Georgia, how the QB situation is expected to play out this weekend and beyond, the work going on behind the scenes with men’s basketball and sporting events that still deliver butterflies in the PAT (1:48). Then, long snapper and recent scholarship recipient Marco Ortiz shares how he ended up in one of the most unusual and anonymous positions on the field, his identical twin remarkably in the same role at TCU and more (28:24). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/

The latest installment in our “GATOR GREATS” series features Brandon James, the only player in SEC history to accumulate over 4,000 combined kickoff and punt return yards. Recently enshrined into the UF Hall of Fame, host Adam Schick talks to the 5’7 native of St. Augustine about his early days in the game, fighting for attention during recruiting, being part of one of the best classes in college football history, the challenges of the 2009 season, his post-football career shift, what it means to be in the UF Hall of Fame and more. Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

Gator Tales #281: LB Mohamoud Diabate and LSU Preview by Florida Gators

Adversity often strikes when you leave friendly confines and venture onto the road, and for the Gators, their first trip outside the state of Florida brought frustration and disappointment in Lexington. But with over half of the schedule still to play, the task turns to refocusing on the opportunities ahead. On today’s show, host Adam Schick welcomes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scot Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the blues brought on at Kentucky, where Anthony Richardson fits into the picture, where the season goes from here, the parade of Olympians stepping into the celebrity “Mr. 2 Bits” role, the start of basketball practice and the most impressive records in sports in the PAT (1:43). Then, senior safety Trey Dean III talks about his rich football bloodline, how he has grown over his career, his love for malls and more (35:32). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.

What was once a hotly contested rivalry continued to be a one-sided affair last weekend in The Swamp, with Florida continuing its dominance over Tennessee to improve to 3-1 on the year. But their next test will present a real change of scenery, as they prepare to leave the “Sunshine State” for the first time. On today’s show, host Adam Schick convenes FloridaGators.com senior writers Scott Carter and Chris Harry to discuss the latest romp against the Vols, the state of the wide receivers, what makes Kentucky a significant challenge and the most engaging athletes they’ve covered in the PAT (1:46). Then, the inspiration for this week’s PAT, grad transfer Antonio Valentino holds court on topics ranging from Happy Valley vs. The Swamp, the “Macho Man” Randy Savage and his mission to help athletes express themselves and grow their brands off the field (27:44). Please subscribe and leave a review if you like what you hear and for more information, visit FloridaGators.com/GatorTales.