Athletic Director of Florida, Scott Stricklin, Inks 3-Year Contract Expansion
Florida Gators' Athletic Director Scott Stricklin Steers Successful Run
Scott Stricklin, the 14th athletic director in the University of Florida's history, has been leading the Gators' athletic program with remarkable success since his appointment in 2016.
Under Stricklin's leadership, the No. 15 Gators' football team ended 2024 on a four-game winning streak, the longest current streak in the SEC. This impressive run has set a positive tone for the upcoming season, as the team is ranked in the preseason for the first time since 2021.
The football program, under coach Billy Napier, has a record of 19-19 in three seasons. Napier, who was hired by Stricklin in 2020, has shown promising signs of turning the team's fortunes around.
Stricklin's tenure has not only been about football. He has overseen the construction of a state-of-the-art $85 million football facility and a $65 million baseball stadium, both of which were completed under his leadership.
The athletic program also has preliminary plans for a $1 billion renovation project for Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, better known as "the Swamp." This ambitious project aims to further enhance the Gators' home advantage and fan experience.
Stricklin's background in intercollegiate athletics extends back to his days at Mississippi State University, where he served as athletic director. His tenure there saw student-athletes achieve a combined GPA of 3.0 in 2014-15, a record high. He also spearheaded over $140 million in facility improvements at Mississippi State.
Prior to his role at Mississippi State, Stricklin worked as the Associate AD for Media Relations at Kentucky from 2003-2008, overseeing day-to-day publicity of Wildcat basketball. He also had a four-year stint at Baylor from 1999-2003 as the Assistant AD for Communications and Marketing.
Stricklin's contributions to college athletics have not gone unnoticed. He served a three-year stint as a member on the college football Playoff Selection Committee and was awarded the 2015-16 Athletic Director of the Year Award from the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
In March 2022, Stricklin hired coach Todd Golden, who led the Gators to their third men's basketball national championship in program history. This victory marked a significant milestone in Stricklin's tenure, adding to the 13 national titles and 45 conference crowns that Florida has won under his leadership.
Recently, Stricklin signed a three-year extension to his contract, keeping him as Florida's athletic director through 2030. This extension is a testament to the faith the university has in Stricklin's ability to continue driving the Gators' athletic success.
With Stricklin at the helm, the University of Florida's athletic program continues to thrive, setting high standards and breaking records. His leadership, experience, and dedication have made him one of the nation's top athletic directors.
