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Scott Stricklin lays out the expectations for Florida’s football program
By Dave Hooker
Published:
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin had a quick answer when asked about expectations for the athletic program shortly after he announced that Dan Mullen had been fired.
“To achieve at a high level for a sustained period,” Stricklin said flatly.
Mullen certainly hasn’t done that this season. The Gators went from high preseason expectations to a 5-6 record and are 2-6 in the SEC. Stricklin offered more insight into what are realistic expectations at Florida.
“We talk about competing for championships and competing for championships with integrity,” Stricklin said. “Florida is a place where you have the right to aspire to that.”
Stricklin went on to say that Florida has the resources, fan base and facilities to compete at an elite level. Stricklin also pointed out that Florida had the proper alignment between the athletic department and boosters to make sound decisions that aren’t overly influenced by others outside Florida’s athletic programs.
“That doesn’t happen here at the University of Florida,” said Stricklin, who compared himself to a quarterback and his boosters as offensive linemen to somehow clarify the relationships.
Stricklin said Florida’s coaching search will begin immediately but there’s no timetable to replace Mullen.
Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. He hosts an SEC radio show out of Chattanooga and covers the SEC for Saturday Down South.
