Jeremy Foley speaks on renovations, UF coaches

University of Florida Athletics Director Jeremy Foley has plenty of things on his slate, and he discussed some of them in an appearance on “Sportscene” with Steve Russell on ESPN 850 WRUF on Wednesday. Foley spoke about having to prioritize the renovation projects across Gator athletics based on need, and announced that the O’Connell Center renovations will get started next March. According to Foley, after opening in 1980, the O’Connell Center is “home to national championship programs, home to the most dominant program in the SEC in volleyball” but that it has become “old and tired, and it’s time to do something about it.” Off of the heels of planning a renovation to the O’Connell Center, Foley said an indoor practice facility for football simply had to be built. The O’Connell Center was no longer a backup for the football team to practice in, and Foley insisted “you can’t have a football program and have no place to go (for practice if bad weather hits).” Foley also took the opportunity to comment on some of the topics surrounding Gator basketball head coaches. When asked why he has shown such patience with Florida women’s coach Amanda Butler despite lackluster success, Foley says it is because he has great confidence in her. “I think when she took over this program it was less than ground zero. I think we were in a hole.” Foley reaffirmed that he and his staff believe that keeping Butler as the head coach is “the best course of action right now.” When speaking of Billy Donovan and the rumors that the NBA would come calling, Foley said those rumors come up almost every year and that he fully intends to

have Donovan back as coach next season.