Kelly Rae Finley has been named the SEC Coach of the Year by the six writers who cover Southeastern Conference women's basketball for USA Today Sports Network. Finley spent the 2021-22 season acting as the interim head coach for the Gators, leading UF to a 20-win season for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign and the 16th time in the history of the program. Coach Finley led the Gators to a 20-9 record after winning only 12 games the previous season. Under her command, the Orange & Blue also won 10 Southeastern Conference games for just the fourth time in program history. Securing the fifth-seed in the SEC Tournament, the Gators defeated five ranked opponents for the first time since the 2005-06 season, including five nationally ranked opponent in the SEC for the first time since 2004. A victory of note, Florida earned their largest margin of victory over a top-10 team when they defeated No. 7 Tennessee, 84-59, handing the Lady Vols their worst loss against an unranked squad since the AP Poll debuted in 1976. Kelly Rae Finley Named USA Today Sports Network SEC Coach of the Year - Florida Gators
Yeah, that's nice and all, but what has she done in the last 36 hours? It has been a LONG time since we have had a buzz from the program. What has taken her so long to win the whole enchilada? BTW, good job coach. And welcome to the crazy folks you choose to align yourself with.
