Gator John
New User
Longtime Gator fan here. Hoping the new coaching search will bring in a new era for Gator tennis!
Any news on the search?
Any news on the search?
4 solid candidates with solid resumes, one that stands out to me. I would assume that an offer will go out today and details finalized by this weekend. New guy should be in place by early next week.
Can you tell us the four candidates? Any idea where Jackson will go? I was hoping Spencer would stay with the coaching change but he's visiting Michigan this week and likes it so far-damn it.
It's not fair to the candidates or their current teams to name names. I've never been into that.
Sucks about spencer, but if you are in contact with him...tell him to at least meet with the new coach. If my preferred candidate gets selected, he would probably like the opportunity to work with him. And once the announcement is official, I will confirm whether it is whom I am in favor of.
I have no word on Jackson. I'd think he'd go to a lower level school or maybe jump over to the women's side. I wish him the best as I do really like him personally.
Fair enough on the new coach and I will try to get a message to Spencer. He's a smart kid and I know he liked Gainesville and his teammates alot, so he will probably hold off on making a final desicion until a new coach is announced.
Tell him to stay, my candidate was leaving campus with a big smile on his face. From what I understand an agreement was made verbally and a contract is being drafted. Should be in Gainesville full time in the next couple weeks.
Brian Shelton is the new coach according to the boys on the team. Anyone know anything about him?
Brian Shelton is the new coach according to the boys on the team. Anyone know anything about him?
Bryan (not Brian) Shelton is a very good coach for the Georgia Tech women, including a national title a few years ago. Much tougher recruiting situation for him in his current job than he would have in the Florida men's job, if this rumor is true.
Oppps sorry I just googled him-Bryan Shelton. He looks like a player and I really like that NCAA title!
He's taken a team that never won an NCAA Tourney match to win a title a few years later. And he took a player to the individual title that was a pretty solid under dog. That's why I've been telling you to have Spencer talk to him. This guy is good!
He has coached college, USTA HP, and toured with pros like Mali Vai Washington. He has done everything at GT with very tough academic avenues to offer women (engineering or management).
And he and Roland are going to be perfect compliments to one another...especially now that Roland doesn't have to recruit against the guy that just locked down the top recruiting class in the country.
The only concern is how he will handle going from 8 full schollys to divvying up 4.5.
That has to be tough coming from the women's side. I like everything I read about him so far. He does seem to have quite a few foreign players on his GT roster, and you know I favor Florida kids on our rosters! I hope he takes advatage of the local talent in the upcoming years.
haha, yea currently that is true. Look at his incoming class though:
http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/w-tennis/spec-rel/052912aab.html
All are Americans and 2 from in-state.
Nice how the Florida womens coach recommended Shelton.
Wouldn't you ask the 3-time national champion coach his input on the other team's coach?
Absolutely. I'm glad that the AD was smart enough to ask.
Tell him to stay, my candidate was leaving campus with a big smile on his face. From what I understand an agreement was made verbally and a contract is being drafted. Should be in Gainesville full time in the next couple weeks.
So was Shelton the one you were referring to?
haha, yea currently that is true. Look at his incoming class though:
http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/w-tennis/spec-rel/052912aab.html
All are Americans and 2 from in-state.
Okay- now I like EVERYTHING about him. Heard a couple of the guys on the team met him already and really like him.
Yea, I think that what will be crucial for him is:
1) lock down the state of Florida every year by getting the top 1 or 2 players to commit
2) supplement the roster with other southeast kids before looking abroad
3) prove that he can develop guys as well as he did with females like Miller, McDowell, O'Neil and Falconi
4) consistently finish top 2 in the SEC and be a national contender every year
I think he can do this within 5 years
Yea, I think that what will be crucial for him is:
1) lock down the state of Florida every year by getting the top 1 or 2 players to commit
2) supplement the roster with other southeast kids before looking abroad
3) prove that he can develop guys as well as he did with females like Miller, McDowell, O'Neil and Falconi
4) consistently finish top 2 in the SEC and be a national contender every year
I think he can do this within 5 years[/QUOT
If Coach Shelton can accomplish 2,3(most important), and 4 then #1 will follow.
Not the greatest news here....
http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-tennis/spec-rel/062212aaa.html
I think Spencer had his mind made up that he was leaving long before Coach Sheldon was in the picture. Once a player decides that he doesn't want to be on a certain team anymore it is hard to change their mind.[/QUOT
You're right- there wasn't much Shelton could do or say to change his mind- and he did try. He will be missed but we still have a great group of guys and a couple talented redshirts that will be eligible this year.
Kirijax,
I also get some limited news at Gator Country
Sad to see Newman leave. Big loss for Florida. All seems quiet but I'm sure Coach Shelton is busy getting the team together for next year.
Thanks for the link. Really surprising that this station would have an interview before anything on Gatorzone.