COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Head coach Kelly Rae Finley has coached the Gators to a 9-2 start.

Sports

How motherhood refined Kelly Rae Finley’s coaching style

By Amanda Roman | Dec. 9

For Florida women’s basketball’s head coach, motherhood and coaching don’t compete.

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway (2) rushes during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Buster Faulkner named FootballScoop's Offensive Coordinator of the Year

By Max Bernstein | Dec. 8

Buster Faulkner, the reported next offensive coordinator at Florida and the current offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, was named the 2025 Offensive Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop.

Florida Gators forward Nyadieng Yiech (2) looks for a lane during a NCAA college basketball game against South Alabama, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida opened five-game home stretch with victory over South Alabama

By Amanda Roman | Dec. 7

Liv McGill erupted for 32 points as Florida shook off a slow start, extending its non-conference home win streak to 13.

Florida guard/forward Me'Arah O'Neal (8) passes the ball during an NCAA college basketball game against Chattanooga, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

From potential to production: Me’Arah O’Neal is making her mark

By Isis Snow | Dec. 7

Me'Arah O'Neal is shining with the Gators after a productive offseason.

Florida Gators defensive strategist Bella Lee (21) goes to dive the ball in a match against the Auburn Tigers on Oct. 3, 2025 in the O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Gators volleyball loses to SMU at NCAA Tournament

By Ava DiCecca | Dec. 6

Head coach Ryan Theis’ first season with the Florida Gators officially came to an end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Florida Gators outside hitter Jordyn Byrd (14) led the Gators with 18 kills in Florida's first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Sports

Gators volleyball sweeps Rice, advances to NCAA Tournament Round of 32

By Ava DiCecca | Dec. 5

An injury to one of the Owls' top hitters shifted momentum early on in the match.

The Nancys performs at the AM/FM Festival on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

The Avenue

From EP to NYC: It’s been a ‘Sweet’ year for The Nancys

By Isabel Kraby | Dec. 5

Ever since “Sweet” released in September 2024 — it now has over 170,000 streams on Spotify — The Nancys have hoped their musical passion project could be their future.

Zimmerman is the third soccer coach hired by Florida since 2021.

Sports

Florida soccer hires Nick Zimmerman as head coach

By Adrian Carmona | Dec. 5

"He made everyone want to run through a brick wall."

Metro

Gainesville woman arrested for hitting woman with her car

By Alexa Ryan | Dec. 5

The two started arguing and Quinn suddenly accelerated and hit Bowers with the car, throwing her onto the hood, the witness told officers. Quinn then “sped off” with the victim hanging onto the side of the car.

Florida Gators plays against Texas Tech for the WBIT on Thursday, March 27th, 2025.

Sports

Florida suffers second loss of the season in a nail-biter against Virginia Tech

By Isis Snow | Dec. 4

Florida fell against ACC competitor Virginia Tech in an intense matchup on the road. The Gators missed out on tying a program record for most wins at the start of a season through 10 games.

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway watches Scott Stricklin speak at Jon Sumrall’s introductory press conference at Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville, Fla., Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.

Sports

Florida hires Buster Faulkner as new offensive coordinator

By Max Bernstein | Dec. 4

After much speculation on who would be masterminding Florida’s offense going forward, UF is hiring Georgia Tech’s Buster Faulkner as its new offensive coordinator.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier walks off the bus at Gator Walk before a NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Billy Napier hired as head coach at James Madison

By Max Bernstein | Dec. 4

Former Florida football head coach Billy Napier has reportedly been hired as the new head coach at James Madison University.

The Florida Gators volleyball team lost its third straight match and have just one more regular season match before conference tournament play begins.

Sports

Florida volleyball eyes first round of the NCAA Tournament against Rice

By Ava DiCecca | Dec. 4

Florida enters the NCAA volleyball tournament in round one to face Rice University. While the two haven't met in three decades, they saw similar results against the opponents they had in common this season.

Florida forward Thomas Haugh (10) was the only Gator with multiple field goals made in the first half against the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

News

Thomas Haugh proves he's the anchor among a Gators team working out the kinks

By Luke Adragna | Dec. 4

The Gators are one loss shy of their total losses during their 2024-25 championship run.

Sports

Early signing day: Live updates on the Gators’ commits

By Max Bernstein | Dec. 3

Stay tuned for live updates from early signing day as Jon Sumrall and the Gators land official commitments.

Florida guard Boogie Fland (0) excelled in the final minutes against Duke, scoring the Gators' final four field goals before a costly turnover gave the Blue Devils the win.

News

Florida vs. Duke: Five takeaways from the Gators’ loss to the Blue Devils

By Jeffrey Serber | Dec. 2

Florida has looked like a shell of its championship team.

News

Gainesville woman arrested for attempted murder

By Alexa Ryan | Dec. 2

A Gainesville woman has been arrested on a charge of felony attempted murder after she attacked her partner with a meat cleaver during an argument, according to the arrest report.

Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) takes a layup during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Merrimack, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

Sports

Florida vs. Duke: How the Gators can upset the No. 4 Blue Devils

By Jeffrey Serber | Dec. 2

The No. 15 Gators (5-2) travel to take on the No. 4 Blue Devils (8-0) Tuesday at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the SEC-ACC Challenge, looking for their first win in program history at the iconic college basketball venue.

Mandy Roman was the Fall 2025 assistant sports editor.

Opinion

The verdict is in, and I owe it all to The Alligator

By Amanda Roman | Dec. 2

Since I stepped foot on campus as a sports journalism major, I knew I wanted to work for the largest student-run independent newspaper in the country. What I didn’t know was how much The Alligator would shape me into the person I am today.

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall speaks during his introductory press conference at Heavener Football Training Center in Gainesville, Fla., Monday, Dec. 1, 2025.

Sports

Florida to hire Kentucky's Brad White as new defensive coordinator

By Max Bernstein | Dec. 2

Florida is expected to hire Kentucky's Brad White as its new defensive coordinator. This marks the first hire under Jon Sumrall and David Caldwell's leadership at UF.