If the excitement around the Florida Gators wasn’t already alive enough after the major flip of wide receiver recruit Dallas Wilson, GatorOnline reporter Zach Abolverdi added fuel to the fire Monday night, hinting at a potential staff move that would make Florida fans ‘go bananas.’
Abolverdi, the reporter who broke the Wilson flip story and many other important stories, spent the night on the Hightop Sports YouTube channel, talking with host Shelton and former Gator Steven Harris about all things Florida. As they got into staff changes, Abolverdi added a little festive cheer for the audience.
“Yeah, they are going to have some moves,” Abolverdi said of personnel changes. “If what happens actually happens, from what I am hearing, Florida fans would go nuts.”
The Gators’ staff has been constantly shifting over the years, with fresh faces such as Ron Roberts, Will Harris, Gerald Chatman, and Tyler Miles joining just last year. More changes are on the way, particularly with co-defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong leaving for the University of Houston.
While the possibility of a new co-defensive coordinator is evident, there have been persistent rumours of an offensive coordinator job since early in the Gators’ season.
Florida’s offence was ranked 62nd in the nation in points per game and 81st in yards per game. Passing wise, the Billy Napier and Russ Callaway-led offence only passed the ball 43.83% of the time, ranking 98th in the country, and averaged only 205.7 yards per game, placing 90th.
With highly regarded freshman DJ Lagway demonstrating the ability to air it out in his first year, the aim is for a more potent passing attack next season, maybe led by a new face.
Though the Florida faithful will undoubtedly have numerous suggestions about prospective possibilities Abolverdi may be hinting to, the Gator writer feels the move will come as a huge surprise to everyone.
“Nobody knows it is coming,” Abolverdi responded. “The only way anyone will know what is coming is if it gets leaked.”
When Hightop host Shelton added that the Gators’ expectations for next year were ‘Playoff or bust,’ Abolverdi’s statements pushed the audience into an even deeper spiral.
“Oh, if this happens, Florida will be…Man.”
For now, Gators fans will have to wait and see whether there is any exciting news beneath the Christmas tree this year.