For now, Florida Gators rallying around Randy Shannon, finishing season

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Gators rallying around Randy Shannon

It has been one day since Florida coach Jim McElwain and the University Athletic Association agreed to part ways. But the Gators are trying not to focus on that. Instead, interim coach Randy Shannon and the football team’s goal is to focus on the task at hand. That means Shannon making adjustments to the coaching staff for the final month and re-opening the quarterback competition. That means finding offensive production even though leading rusher Malik Davis is out for the year. And that means the team finally getting closure from McElwain.

Recruiting roundup

Florida athletics director Scott Stricklin hopes to have a new coach in place before the early signing period.
How Shannon plans to keep the Gators’ recruiting class intact.
Multiple Florida recruits are calling for at least one assistant coach to remain on staff.

Coaching search

Regardless of who is named Florida’s next coach, one thing is certain: The job is still an elite one on the college football front. As for who that next person might be, well, it’s too early to make that call.

It could be UCF’s Scott Frost or Oregon’s Willie Taggart or Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen or a slew of other possible candidates, but that decision won’t come anytime soon.

In other Florida football news

The Gators’ road game at South Carolina on Nov. 11 will kick off at noon ET.
McElwain’s departure was about more than football.
McElwain still owes Colorado State money.

Soccer opens SEC Tournament action

The 17th-ranked and third-seeded Gators soccer team opens play in the SEC Tournament against sixth-seeded Auburn at 3:30 p.m. ET Tuesday in Orange Beach, Ala. Florida has won the last two conference tournaments and is looking for a momentum boost prior to the NCAA Tournament after dropping three of its final five matches to close out the regular season.

Volleyball honors

Senior middle blocker Rhamat Alhassan was named the co-SEC defensive player of the week for the second straight week. Alhassan is ranked second nationally averaging 1.77 blocks per set and is 8 blocks away from breaking the school record for total blocks (601) set by Benavia Jenkins from 2000-03.

Let’s keep talking

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What they’re saying on Twitter

Linebacker Nick Smith:

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to be a Gator not a lot of people get this chance and I’m grateful for everything @CoachMcElwain pic.twitter.com/dgVPGOfYwF

— . (@NSmith2017) October 30, 2017