The Florida Gators men’s basketball team won the 2025 National Title game against the Houston Cougars. Everything has felt different for Florida with sports ever since they won it all for the first time in 18 seasons.
The Gators football program has not won a national title since the 2008 season. Florida’s program under head coach Billy Napier will be entering his fourth season and look to reach the college football playoffs. Very recently, Napier invited Gators basketball player Olivier Rioux to practice and have him go on special teams.
Florida Gators Head Coach Todd Golden Credits Football Program For Trying Olivier Rioux On Special Teams
Rioux did not see the court much for Florida during the 2024-2025 college basketball season. He was a freshman on campus last season. He is 7’9″ and is one of the tallest teenagers ever. Well, the Gators football program decided to try him on special teams during practice to have him try and block kicks, but it did not turn out as planned.
Gators basketball head coach Todd Golden said about Rioux trying out for special teams for football:
“I like the idea. I give them credit for trying it. They were a little disappointed.”
With this being the case, Rioux will stick to the basketball program full time and have no future with the football program. He will probably not see the court much during the 2025-2026 college basketball season with Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu, and Micah Handlogten all returning to the team in the front court. They will be deep once again and have a chance to go back-to-back.
Maybe Rioux will see the court in blowout games during the 2025-2026 season. Florida football is looking to improve its 7-5 record from the 2024 season, and it will be a big year for this football program. If the Gators do not perform well in football, they will be begging for basketball season to begin when November rolls around.
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