Scott Stricklin pressed on Cam Newbauer allegations, ability to lead search

Hours after On3’s Matt Zenitz reported head coach Dan Mullen’s departure from the Florida football program, Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin met with reporters to discuss the move and new vacancy.

Late in the press conference, one reporter went off script, asking about former women’s basketball coach Cam Newbauer and a report tying Scott Stricklin to a “toxic environment.”

When asked about alligator.org’s report, which detailed Cam Newbauer’s abuse and Scott Stricklin’s knowledge of the situation, the athletic director offered short responses.

When asked whether he had any comment on the report, Stricklin responded, “I do not,” bluntly.

A follow-up questioned whether the boosters and school administration had faith in Stricklin’s judgement and asked whether those powers believed in his ability to make a hire. “They have,” said Strickin, unwilling to provide further information.

When Newbauer was fired for the verbal abuse, racist language and a generally toxic culture, Stricklin took responsibility for the situation. However, last weeks added details suggest a concerned parent sent five emails to Stricklin and others from January 2019 through March 2019. This information runs contrary to previous statements that complaints about Newbauer came in 2017 and 2018, but not 2019 – thanks to “more structure” around the coach.

Scott Stricklin on timing of Dan Mullen split

Firing Mullen was a difficult decision for Scott Stricklin, who had a preexisting relationship from Mississippi State, but deciding on when to do it was also difficult. He said that he woke up this morning feeling like a change was necessary.

“Once you get that feeling that it’s time to do something different, you need to go ahead and do it,” Stricklin said of the timing being Mullen’s firing. “And I woke up this morning with that feeling. So we moved ahead.”

Florida’s special teams coordinator and running backs coach Greg Knox will serve as the team’s interim head coach for Florida’s final regular season game on Saturday against Florida State. Both teams need a win to earn bowl eligibility.

“I met with Coach Mullen shortly before noon today in his office, and we had a conversation,” said Stricklin. “I just told him that we need to go a different direction for the Gators and our football program. He understood, and it was actually a very productive conversation. Gave him the opportunity to coach the game Saturday against FSU, and after some discussion, he actually took some time to think about it — he made the decision that he thought he would be a bit of a distraction if he was around this week after this news came out. So, he made the decision to step away.”