Hot Board: Where does Florida turn next?

GAINESVILLE -- Replacing Billy Donovan is an unenviable task, but Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley is charged with finding a coach suitable to fill Donovan’s footsteps. 

Good luck. 

Foley will oversee a second major hire in the last six months, as the Gators will have a new football and basketball coach in the same year for the first time since 1990-91. They’ll be the only Power 5 school in the country with such a duo. 

As is stands, Florida has the lone college basketball opening in the nation. 

Donovan built UF into a national powerhouse, but the program is at a bit of a crossroads with just a decent roster and facilities that need upgrading. Is Florida actually an elite job, or was Donovan what made the Gators an annual contender?

We’ll see.

Here’s a list of candidates Foley may pursue. 

1. Archie Miller, Dayton head coach -- The hottest name potentially linked to Florida. The 36-year-old (and younger brother of Arizona coach Sean Miller) is a considered a rising star after taking the Flyers to the Elite Eight in 2013-14. 

2. John Pelphrey, Florida assistant head coach -- The former South Alabama and Arkansas head coach has been Donovan’s top assistant since 2011. Ideally, Donovan would prefer Pelphrey succeed him. 

3. Chris Mack, Xavier head coach -- An Ohio native, Mack has an impressive résumé (three Sweet 16 births in six seasons) but few ties to the South. 

4. Michael White, Louisiana Tech head coach -- Another rising star and the son of Duke athletic director Kevin White. He played at Ole Miss and is considered a strong recruiter with success in the state of Florida. 

5. Richard Pitino, Minnesota head coach -- A former UF assistant from 2009-11, but Rick Pitino’s son has never made the NCAA Tournament in five seasons as a head coach. 

6. Jay Wright, Villanova head coach -- Easily the most accomplished coach on the list and a longshot candidate. Foley loves him, but Wright is a Northeast native and has coached at Nova for 14 years.  

7. Steve Prohm, Murray State head coach -- Prohm, who went to Alabama, has dominated the Ohio Valley Conference, leading the Racers to a 104-29 record in four seasons. Another longshot candidate.   

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OKC hires Donovan, who leaves UF after 19 seasons

GAINESVILLE -- For the first time in two decades, Florida needs a new basketball coach. 

Billy Donovan officially accepted the opening with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, leaving Gainesville after 19 seasons with the Gators. 

Yahoo! Sports and ESPN both initially confirmed the report. 

Donovan agreed to a five-year deal, according to Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski. 

The future Hall of Fame coach inherits an OKC team with tons of talent (stars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka) but also inherent risks with Durant and Westbrook’s looming free agency’s.

Still, Donovan’s strong ties to the organization -- including a close relationship with Thunder GM Sam Presti -- were critical influences on the decision to leave Florida. Presti flew to Gainesville on Tuesday to personally offer him the job. 

Last year, UF assistant Mark Daigneault was hired as the Thunder’s D-League coach, and at the same time, Florida video coordinator Oliver Winterbone left to become a scout/data analyst for OKC. 

Florida hired Donovan in 1996. He was only 31. The former Wall Street wiz had just two years of head coaching experience, but Donovan was charged with building a competitive program -- one that had just five NCAA Tournament appearances in school history. 

Within three seasons, Donovan took Florida to the Sweet Sixteen and the foundation for the future was established. 

Donovan, who turns 50 on May 30, was a relentless recruiter and offensive mastermind, turning the Gators into a powerhouse. He led UF to four Final Fours, six SEC Championships, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and 16 straight 20-win seasons. He’s the second youngest coach in D-1 history to win 500 games. 

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Reports: Donovan-to-OKC gaining steam

GAINESVILLE -- Florida’s two-time national champion coach Billy Donovan is reportedly “leaning strongly” toward accepting the opening with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, per multiple reports. 

ESPN’s Marc Stein wrote early Wednesday morning UF’s coach and OKC had formally opened talks, and Yahoo! Sports later reported the Thunder is “preparing an offer” and Donovan is “enthusiastic” about the potential move. 

Barring an impasse over contract negotiations, Donovan’s exit appears imminent following weeks of smoke and speculation.

"He's as good as gone," Stein quoted one source.

Stein also stated Donovan's family is "willing to move" and a decision is expected within 48 hours. 

Donovan, who built Florida basketball into a powerhouse over 19 seasons, recently signed an amended, one-year contract extension through the 2020 season, pushing his annual salary just north of $4 million. His buyout ($500,000) remained unchanged though, and he no longer is tied to a noncompete clause. 

The future Hall of Fame coach would inherit an OKC team with tons of talent (stars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka) but also inherent risks with Durant and Westbrook’s looming free agency’s.

Still, Donovan’s strong ties to the organization -- including a close relationship with Thunder GM Sam Presti -- are critical influences to the potential move. Yahoo! reported Presti flew to Gainesville on Tuesday. 

Last year, UF assistant Mark Daigneault was hired as the Thunder’s D-League coach, and at the same time, Florida video coordinator Oliver Winterbone left to become a scout/data analyst for OKC. 

Florida hired Donovan in 1996. He was only 31. The former Wall Street wiz had just two years of head coaching experience, but Donovan was charged with building a competitive program -- one that had just five NCAA Tournament appearances in school history. 

Within three seasons, Donovan took Florida to the Sweet Sixteen and the foundation for the future was established. 

Donovan, who turns 50 on May 30, was a relentless recruiter and offensive mastermind, turning the Gators into a powerhouse. He led UF to four Final Fours, six SEC Championships, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and 16 straight 20-win seasons. He’s the second youngest coach in D-1 history to win 500 games. 

Impervious to distractions, Donovan has yet to comment on OKC’s interest and was recruiting for Florida as recently as Sunday.

The Donovan-to-NBA rumors heated up less than a month ago, with Stein initially reporting Donovan would “give renewed consideration” to the NBA, and later writing, “Donovan is looking to make the jump to the NBA more than ever before.”

Donovan has never been shy about the NBA’s allure, openly admitting last March he was still “intrigued.”

In 2007, Donovan infamously accepted the Orlando Magic job before a change of heart brought him back to UF less than a week later.  

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SG Eli Carter to transfer, eligible immediately

GAINESVILLE -- Following two injury-riddled seasons, redshirt junior guard Eli Carter is transferring from Florida, the school announced Monday. 

Carter, who was a ballyhooed transfer from Rutgers in 2013, will graduate this spring and is eligible to play immediately next season. 

"I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had here at Florida," Carter said in a release. 

"I’ll always appreciate the coaches, teammates and fans that made my time here memorable."

The swingman averaged 8.8 points last season -- third on the Gators -- but he shot just 36.2 percent from the field and never rediscovered his form as the talented scorer of the Scarlet Knights. 

"We appreciate everything that Eli has done in his two years in Gainesville," UF coach Billy Donovan said. 

“We all wish him well and will do whatever we can to help him take this next step in his career."

As a sophomore at Rutgers, Carter averaged nearly 15 points a game. But he broke his leg in late February and he never fully recovered from the devastating injury. He played sparingly for the Gators in 2013-14 before opting for a medical redshirt. He then missed five games this past season with various aliments. 

Carter’s transfer, coupled with the departures of Michael Frazier II and Chris Walker, leaves Florida with one available scholarship for next season.   

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C/F Chris Walker entering 2015 NBA Draft

GAINESVILLE -- Chris Walker’s roller coaster career at Florida has come to an end. 

Despite two unimpressive seasons, the former McDonald’s All-American officially declared for the 2015 NBA Draft, UF announced Friday.

“I want to thank the coaching staff, my teammates and everyone at Florida for my experience here,” Walker said in a statement. 

“I’m excited to continue pursuing my dream of playing professionally.” 

The 6-foot-10 sophomore averaged just 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds last season, failing to fulfill sky-high expectations as a former five-star prospect and top-10 recruit. 

He totaled 80 career field goals (25 of which were dunks), scored in double figures just five times and never grabbed as many as seven rebounds in a single game. 

"Chris has been a pleasure to coach," UF coach Billy Donovan said.

"He is a great kid with a lot of potential, and everyone here wishes the absolute best for him."

Walker, who possesses elite athleticism, leaves as an unpolished product with a low basketball IQ, minimal development and a complete lack of defensive awareness.

The forward/center could never escape the burdening shadow of hope and hype, as he initially failed to qualify academically and then struggled to find a role on a veteran Final Four team in 2013-14. 

Walker was still projected as a late first round pick last year, but he opted to return for his sophomore season to improve his game. 

His stock has now slipped significantly, as he’s no longer regarded as Top 100 prospect according to ESPN, DraftExpress or CBSSports.

********** UPDATE **********

ESPN basketball analyst Jeff Goodman seemingly confirms whispers Walker no longer had a spot at Florida (reportedly academics) had he not opted to go pro. 

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Roderick Johnson releases heartfelt statement

GAINESVILLE -- Roderick Johnson is doing his best to stay positive. 

A week after learning he’d suffered a career-ending injury in practice, the redshirt sophomore spoke publicly Monday about his retirement. 

In a candid statement released by UF, Johnson -- a right tackle who played in all 12 games last season -- discussed overcoming his heartbreaking condition, his pride for the Gator Nation and his goals for the future. 

“Spinal stenosis -- April 3, 2015 -- the day that changed my life,” he said. 

“It’s hard to walk away from this game, and it’s dearly easy to fall in love with when you have the right mindset and the dedication. I enjoyed my time as a Gator from the first day I got that call from Coach [Will] Muschamp. I instantly fell in love with a school I didn’t like since I was a kid (lol).

"I had a tough time trying to enroll due to my grades. I pulled through with the love and support from the UF staff. Taking the redshirt my first year was rough, so going into my freshman redshirt year I took it more serious. Listening to Coach [Mike] Summers coach and trusting his technique made me a great offensive lineman and I always had heart, of course.”

Johnson did, and his mettle was truly tested following a team scrimmage on April 3. The former American Heritage High standout was hit in practice and his life changed almost immediately. Johnson was initially diagnosed with a "stinger," but after he experienced numbness in his fingers and hands doctors soon discovered his career-ending condition. 

In an instant, a potential NFL prospect had his dream ripped away. Still, as Johnson struggles to cope with reality he continues to maintain an optimistic outlook on the future.  

“It’s a tough time as I try to move forward, but I still have some positives on the situation,” he said.

“I get to stand and talk to you instead of being in a wheelchair. I would like to say thanks to the coaching staff from Coach [McElwain] all the way down to the graduate assistants. Being in a highly powered offense, I wanted to prove I was a great athlete even when my knee bothered me sometimes.

“In looking forward to what the future brings, I look to be a great assistant coach and make sure these 2015 offensive linemen know what it takes to be a Gator, and for that, I love Gator Nation. You turned me from a boy to a man. I want to see my teammates be great because it can be taken away from you in just one play.”

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J.C. Jackson arrested in connection to armed robbery

GAINESVILLE -- Florida redshirt freshman cornerback J.C. Jackson was arrested Saturday in connection to an armed robbery at a Gainesville apartment complex. 

The former Immokalee star has been charged with first-degree felony robbery with a firearm and remains in custody in Alachua County Jail on a $150,000 bond. 

Jackson, 19, allegedly entered an acquaintance’s apartment at 3:45 p.m. with two other unidentified men. 

According to a Gainesville Police Department report, Jackson reportedly “acted as though he had a phone call" after entering the apartment.

Jackson quickly exited the residence, but he left the two other men inside and almost immediately one subject pulled out a handgun and grabbed marijuana that was on a table. 

Per the GPD report, the gunman then demanded the apartment’s residents “get on the ground and empty their pockets,” pressing the gun on the acquaintance’s face. The suspects later fled with $382, drugs and a pair of video game consoles. 

Jackson never "re-entered the apartment" during the incident, but he allegedly setup the meeting by contacting the acquaintance earlier in the day about “hanging out and smoking cannabis.”

The victims identified Jackson in a photo lineup, and he later turned himself into the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. 

"We are aware of the news involving J.C. Jackson and he is currently dealing with a serious issue," UF coach Jim McElwain said in a release. 

"We don't condone any of his actions and it is not something that reflects on the expectations we have in the program. It is being handled accordingly due to the severity of his actions."

Jackson was competing for a starting job this spring, and new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins called the cornerback "one of top athletes" on the team. 

But Jackson’s days at Florida could be numbered, as Saturday’s arrest isn’t his first run-in with the law at UF. 

In December, Jackson, quarterback Treon Harris and cornerback Jalen Tabor were stopped for speeding on campus. UF officers found two small bags of marijuana in the vehicle but no charges were filed since the car did not belong to the players and none were in possession of the drugs.

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RT Rod Johnson retires due to spinal condition

GAINESVILLE -- Promising right tackle Roderick Johnson’s career is over, Florida announced Tuesday. 

The talented redshirt sophomore -- and team’s top offensive linemen -- was diagnosed with congenital cervical stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal, and forced to retire from football. 

He was hurt in a team scrimmage on April 3, with coach Jim McElwain originally calling the injury “a stinger.” 

But Johnson, who played in all 12 games in 2014, also experienced numbness in his fingers and hands and underwent further evaluation. An MRI and consults with outside specialists and team doctors ultimately revealed his devastating condition. 

After Saturday’s Orange and Blue Debut, McElwain hinted Johnson’s prognosis “doesn’t look great,” adding, “One thing I’ll tell you this about any player: I will never, ever put him out there in harm’s way. … Life’s too short, man. Ain’t gonna do it, ain’t gonna do it to a young guy.”

Johnson’s injury ends a potential NFL career and leaves Florida’s offensive line in dire straits. The Gators will enter the fall with just 13 scholarship linemen -- nine true or redshirt freshmen. 

Trip Thurman is UF's only returning linemen to ever start a collegiate game (10), but the senior guard missed all of spring with a serious shoulder injury and is hardly guaranteed to be healthy come fall. 

Johnson is now Florida’s fourth offensive linemen (Octavius Jackson, Nolan Kelleher, Drew Savary) in just over 18 months to quit football due to injuries. 

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Rehired: Grant returns to Florida

GAINESVILLE -- While Billy Donovan’s name continues to swirl in NBA circles, Florida’s coach is busy putting the band back together. 

Less than 24 hours after Gators assistant Matt McCall took the head coaching job at UT-Chattanooga, Donovan hired longtime assistant and friend Anthony Grant to fill UF’s vacated position. 

Grant, a Miami native who starred at Miami Senior High, spent a dozen seasons as an assistant under Donovan, including 10 years (1996-2006) at Florida. The move also reunites Donovan, Grant and assistant Jon Pelphrey. 

“We're very excited to have Anthony back on our staff,” Donovan said in a statement.

“He's obviously familiar with our program, and he is an outstanding coach and recruiter, so he adds great value to our staff and our team.”

After Florida’s 2006 national title, Grant was hired by VCU and led the Rams to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in three seasons.

Following the 2009 season, Grant left VCU for Alabama, where he went 117-85 in six seasons but made the NCAA Tournament just once and was fired in March.

Grant is regarded as a relentless recruiter with strong ties to South Florida. He was credited with signing Miami Heat center and former Miami High standout Udonis Haslem. 

“I’m extremely appreciative of Coach Donovan extending the opportunity to me to return to the University of Florida,” Grant said. 

“It’s a great chance to return a place I love and have fond memories of, and I look forward to helping the staff build on the tradition and success that Coach Donovan has created.”

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The hits keep coming: Johnson sidelined indefinitely?

GAINESVILLE -- While Florida’s Orange & Blue Debut was predictably anticlimactic, Saturday’s biggest news was the health of offensive tackle Roderick Johnson. 

The redshirt sophomore was penciled in as the Gators’ starting right tackle, but Johnson exited an April 3rd scrimmage with a “stinger with finger numbness” and now the prognosis could be even worse. 

“We actually should get the final doc probably on Monday,” new UF coach Jim McElwain said. 

“It doesn’t look great.”

McElwain didn’t discuss specifics, but he hinted that Johnson’s injury is potentially career-threatening. 

“The one thing I’ll tell you this about any player: I will never, ever put him out there in harm’s way. And we’ve got a medical staff that looks at everything. We send the things all over the country to specialists. … Life’s too short, man. Ain’t gonna do it, ain’t gonna do it to a young guy.”

 It’s another brutal blow for Florida, as a unit decimated by injuries and attrition continues to get thinner. 

With Johnson sidelined, the Gators have just six healthy scholarship offensive linemen with a combined zero career starts. The group adds six freshmen in the summer, including five-star tackle Martez Ivey. 

“I’ve explained to them, it’s not like you’re going to stand in line at Disney World, you’re in the Fast Pass line,” McElwain said.

“You’re on the ride right now. It’s going to be a huge summer for them … We’ve got to get them schooled-up and ready to roll."

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Chris Thompson faces charge, "excused" from team

GAINESVILLE -- Junior receiver Chris Thompson has been “excused from the team” until his legal issues are resolved, Florida coach Jim McElwain said Friday. 

Thompson, a local product and star at Gainesville High School, faces a sworn complaint for misdemeanor battery after he allegedly scratched and bruised his ex-girlfriend during an argument last week. 

“Chris obviously had an incident here sometime last week,” McElwain said. 

“He’s dealing with that. He’s been excused from what we’re doing right now until it’s resolved. That’s kind of how we deal with it. We’ll find out as it goes forward, find out what goes on.”

The incident occurred on April 1, when Thompson and his former girlfriend began arguing over text messages he received from another female. 

According to the Gainesville Police Department incident report, the alleged victim took Thompson’s phone and “demanded” answers. Shortly thereafter, the junior wideout attempted to “physically retrieve” the cell phone, scratching his ex-girlfriend’s arm and neck. 

Thompson missed Florida’s last three practices.

The little-used junior, with just four career receptions for 30 yards, had performed well this spring and was competing for a starting spot opposite star receiver Demarcus Robinson.  

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The Orange & Blue Debut will be a game after all

GAINESVILLE -- Despite just six healthy scholarship offensive linemen and only a handful of tailbacks and linebackers, Florida will play an actual spring game -- sort of -- after all. 

Saturday’s annual Orange & Blue Debut (12:30 p.m., streaming on SEC Network+) will feature two teams and four 12-minute quarters, the Gators announced Thursday.

The scrimmage with have a running clock except for the final two minutes of the second and fourth quarters. 

Regardless of the score, the teams will play an untimed overtime period, too. 

Saturday won't be easy for Florida's players, but the revamped format should be more suitable than a glorified practice to Gator fans. 

"We're going to do everything we can to create some game-like situations, different offense, different defense working as a same unit," UF coach Jim McElwain said. 

Still, the announcement comes as a surprise considering UF’s roster issues (OL, RBs & LBs). Throughout the spring, McElwain stated the difficulty in holding a traditional spring game with Florida's limited depth. 

“There’s going to be live scrimmaging,” he explained last week.

“But we won’t have true two teams necessarily. We’ll do some offense against defense just because we don’t have enough to really have two teams.”

Evidently, they have enough.

Sort of.

"We're still working out some of the details because of the depth and how we're going to have to maybe trade some jerseys as we move along," McElwain said.

"But there again, trying to work as much as we can to get a lot out of Saturday as our last opportunity obviously as a team to get after it. ... We’re still kind of piecemealing those groups together right now. Yet I think we’ll be able to go, we’ll have a good competitive game as much as we can.” 

Following Saturday's scrimmage, Florida players will sign autographs for “approximately 10 minutes” and there will be a concert at 2:30 p.m. on the north lawn of The Swamp.  

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News & Notes: Fowler, Humphries headline UF Pro Day

GAINESVILLE -- Florida held its annual Pro Day on Tuesday, as 22 former Gators worked out under the scorching sun for NFL scouts, coaches and GM’s from all 32 teams.

Defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. and left tackle D.J. Humphries headlined the event, and both players continued to impress. 

Meanwhile, a number of other former players produced solid workouts included center Max Garcia, tailback Matt Jones and linebacker Neiron Ball. 

Garcia led all performers with 30 reps on the bench press. Jones, who reportedly met with Steelers brass earlier in the week, ran the 40-yard-dash in an unofficial 4.53 at 6-foot-2, 231 pounds. 

Former Miami Booker T. Washington receiver Quinton Dunbar clocked an unofficial 4.44. Wideout/kick returner Andre Debose blazed all competitors with an unofficial 4.38. Debose is unlikely to be drafted, but Mayock called him a priority free agent.

Defensive tackle Leon Orr, infamously kicked off UF in late November, worked out among his former teammates and shined in the 40, running a 5.00 at 325 pounds. 

A number of offensive line scouts and coaches were present as Humphries, Garcia, Tyler Moore, Chaz Green and Trenton Brown did extensive agility and drill work. Green and Moore struggled Tuesday. 

NEWS & NOTES

-- Fowler has interviews scheduled with Jacksonville tonight, Tennessee on Wednesday, Tampa Bay on Friday and then Atlanta on Sunday. He will not workout again for any teams. 

-- Former Gators wideout Trey Burton, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, was in attendance to watch his younger brother Clay workout.  

-- Little-used fullback Hunter Joyer did not participate in on-field work after tearing his ACL training in South Florida.  

-- Noteworthy NFL personnel included head coaches Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh) and Todd Bowles (New York Jets). Well-known assistants included Doug Marrone (Jaguars OC/OL), Leslie Frazier (Buccaneers DC), Steelers coaches Mike Munchak (OL) and Joey Porter (LB). 

-- Humorously, former South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia threw to UF’s tight ends and wideouts as the Gators didn’t have anyone else available. Garcia, who wore Gators gear, was asked to participate by Clay Burton.  

QUOTABLES 

“He’s special. I think he and Leonard Williams are the two best defensive players in the draft. I think this kid’s got special abilities.”

--  Mayock on Fowler Jr.  

“It would be great if I stay in Florida. I’m a Florida native. I was born and raised in St. Petersburg. I have family in Jacksonville and things like that. It would be great. The Florida Gators, all the fan base. It would be awesome.” 

-- Fowler Jr. on playing for the Jaguars. 

“I'm going to be honest with you, since I been over 300 pounds I kind of like formed this fat boy mentality nowadays. If I don't eat every three or four hours I get a little irritated. I’ve got to keep myself full these days.”

-- Humphries on his weight “sticking.”

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Johnson OUT indefinitely as OL takes another hit

GAINESVILLE -- Florida’s offensive line was already a M*A*S*H* unit entering the spring, but a paper-thin group suffered another significant blow Friday when starting right tackle Roderick Johnson was injured during practice. 

The redshirt sophomore -- and UF’s only linemen participating this spring with a career start to his name -- sustained a “stinger” and had “numbness in the hand” that will sideline him indefinitely. 

“We took a pretty big blow in the o-line with Rod Johnson,” coach Jim McElwain said Monday.  

“[He] kind of went down and got banged up a little bit. We’ve got to check on some pre-existing injury-type of stuff there to see where he’s going to be at, but he’s definitely [out] until we have more information on it.”

The Gators opened spring camp with just seven healthy scholarship linemen, and Johnson’s injury is simply a blow they can ill-afford. With a second-team unit comprised of four walk-ons, McElwain reiterated his decision not to hold a traditional Orange & Blue Debut this weekend. 

“It obviously hurts us in an area where we didn’t have a lot of people to begin with,” he said. 

“[Again] it will alter kind of what we’re able to do Saturday and moving forward.”

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Is Jake McGee the answer to UF's third down woes?

GAINESVILLE -- Jake McGee hasn’t recorded a catch since Nov. 30, 2013, but Florida’s sixth-year senior tight end may solve the Gators’ recent third down troubles.

McGee, the former Virginia transfer, successfully petitioned the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility (a case he didn’t think he’d actually win) after missing all last season with a broken leg.

His UF career appeared over before it ever really began, but the NCAA (surprisingly) did something right and now the 23-year-old college veteran is healthy and ready to contribute.

And Florida desperately needs him.

UF’s offensive ineptitude is well known. In three of the last four years, the Gators’ attack ranked in the bottom-20 nationally in total yards.

Florida has struggled to generate touchdowns, first downs or simply convert third downs at a respectable clip.

According to Football Outsiders, Florida’s First Down Rate never climbed above No. 101 nationally during Will Muschamp’s four-year tenure.  

UF’s third down efficiency was only marginally better, ranking No. 97 (36%), No. 80 (38%), No. 90 (36%) and No. 111 (32%) over the last four seasons.  

Meanwhile, new head coach Jim McElwain’s Colorado State offenses didn’t have any trouble converting third downs the last several seasons, ranking 11th in the country at 49 percent in 2014.  

Enter McGee.

Florida’s 6-foot-6, 245-pound tight end is a vertical threat and mismatch in the middle of the field. He’s an ideal fit for McElwain’s offensive scheme that is designed to maximize quarterback efficiency and get the ball in his best players’ hands.

McGee isn’t just a safety net. He's a third down machine.

The senior has 71 career receptions -- 38 catches for first downs. He has seven career touchdowns -- six on third down.

In two seasons at Virginia, McGee tallied 27 catches for 299 yards and six scores on third down alone.

By comparison, Quinton Dunbar -- Florida’s second-leading wideout three straight seasons -- finished his career with 29 receptions on third down. 

The Gators are still a long way from deciding who will actually be throwing the football this fall. But with a receivers group continuing to underwhelm, McGee stands as the legitimate X-factor jumpstarting UF’s woeful offense next season.

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The comical musings of DL coach Chris Rumph

GAINESVILLE -- Chris Rumph keeps it 100.

Florida’s new defensive line coach, formally at Texas, didn’t shy away from speaking bluntly about his unit earlier this spring. 

Rumph inherited a nice collection of depth and talent, but he said senior Jon Bullard -- the line's most versatile player and someone who opted to return to school instead of leaving for the NFL -- must play better and that the group as a whole remains a work in progress.  

On his initial impression of the defensive line...

"It's just so young. It's early. They flash, they fool you. I tell them it's just like a girl I dated in high school. She told me she was going to take me to the prom. I'm getting my haircut, getting my brother's car, washing it, cleaning it, all that stuff. I'm all excited about it then all of a sudden she calls and says, 'I'm going to go with your best friend.' So that's how they are. They flash. They tell me they're going to take me to the prom but we haven't gotten there yet." 

On redshirt freshman DT Taven Bryan's untapped potential...

"That’s my big Wyoming wild man. He’s a big old cave man and wants to use all his brute strength. But he’s athletic for a big guy. His football IQ is really, really low because he hasn’t played a lot of football. I don’t know how many great players have come out of the state of Wyoming, but he could be up there. If there is one, he could be just as good as those guys once he learns the game. Everything right now is just new for him. I got him on Gerber, baby food. I can’t even feed him table food yet, he would choke. But once he learns, his teeth are starting to come in, maybe we will feed him off the table before long." 

On redshirt sophomore DT Caleb Brantley's mindset...  

"Caleb has to push himself. He's a very, very talented young man. Very, very talented. But right now, mentally, he's playing like a freshman. Sometimes he's relying on his talent and his athletic ability to do things. As a coach, one of the hardest things to do is to coach a guy up after he's done something wrong, but yet he's had success. He's so result oriented that's all he sees. When I tell him, 'Hey look at your footwork here. Look where your eyes and your hands were on this particular play.' He blocks that out and the only thing he's saying right now is 'Coach you're crazy. I just made a sack. I just made a tackle for a loss, that's what you want.' So I have to tell him yeah you get away with that against this guy but what if it's LSU? What if it's Georgia? What if it's that other school? You may not have that success, so when you're going against just as talented as you are it comes down to technique and fundamentals. So trying to get him to buy into it, which he is, he's trying, all those guys are trying to do that, but him in particular because he's so talented."

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Return Fire: Muschamp snipes back at McElwain

GAINESVILLE — Ka…

. ...Boom.

Muschamp -- Florida’s head coach from 2011-14 -- said he hadn’t heard McElwain’s “insufficient” quip that UF’s offensive cupboard (particularly the offensive line) was rather empty. 

And yet, Auburn’s defensive coordinator was well aware of McElwain’s statement in December that he could win with his dog Claire-a-Belle at quarterback.

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Donovan's contract extended but NBA rumors persist

GAINESVILLE -- Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan signed an amended, one-year contract extension through the 2020 season, the Gainesville Sun reported Wednesday. 

The contract -- signed in December -- pushes Donovan’s annual salary to $4 million, as he remains the sixth-highest paid coach in college basketball.   

The Gators are fresh of a disappointing 2014-15 season (16-17), missing the postseason for the first time since Donovan’s inaugural year at Florida. 

Still, Donovan, who turns 50 on May 30, has built Florida into a national powerhouse, winning a pair of NCAA Championships in 20 seasons in Gainesville. He’s led UF to four Final Fours, six SEC Championships and 14 NCAA Tournament appearances. 

According to the finalized deal -- initially agreed upon last summer -- Donovan’s bonus structure remains the same and his buyout is only $500,000. 

Meanwhile, the Donovan-to-NBA rumors won’t go away. Two weeks after reporting Donovan will “give renewed consideration” to the NBA, ESPN’s Marc Stein wrote Thursday that Donovan is now “looking to make the jump to the NBA more than ever before.”

Earlier Thursday morning, Louisville coach Rick Pitino -- Donovan’s former college coach and trusted mentor -- seemingly legitimized the rumors by bringing up Donovan's name on ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike" during a conversation on college coaches transitioning to the NBA 

“I don't recommend it for college coaches to do that unless they know what it's all about," Pitino said. 

"I take someone like Billy Donovan. I think Billy has looked at it, I think he has an urge to coach in the NBA -- a strong desire to coach in the NBA -- and would like to try it, very similar to Brad Stevens, who is doing a wonderful job with the Celtics. I think people like that with that type of personality will do very well."

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