History of Florida Gators football in Timeline
The Florida Gators football program represents the University of Florida, competing in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Their home games are played at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on the university's Gainesville campus.
1906: University established in Gainesville
In 1906, the University of Florida was established in Gainesville and fielded its first official varsity football team that fall.
1906: Home games at The Ballpark
In 1906, the University of Florida's first football and baseball squads played their home games at The Ballpark.
1906: Football program established
In 1906, the University of Florida's football program was established along with the university itself.
1911: "Gators" nickname adopted
In 1911, the Florida football team took on the "Gators" nickname.
1911: Move to University Athletic Field
In 1911, the school purchased bleachers and moved to University Athletic Field.
1912: Joins Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
In 1912, Florida joined the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association after competing as an independent.
1915: Fleming Field
In 1915, larger bleachers were installed and the facility was renamed Fleming Field.
1916: Series with Alabama begins
1922: Moves to Southern Conference
In 1922, Florida moved to the Southern Conference.
1928: Gators lead nation in scoring
In 1928, the Florida Gators football team went 8-1 and led the nation in scoring.
1930: Florida Field opens
In 1930, Florida Field opened with a capacity of 20,000 seats.
1932: Joins Southeastern Conference
In 1932, Florida joined the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as a founding member.
1932: SEC scheduling leeway
In 1932, after its founding, the SEC allowed considerable leeway with conference schedules.
1933: Charter member of the SEC
In 1933, Florida's football program became a charter member of the Southeastern Conference.
1945: Last game against a non-collegiate opponent
In 1945, the Gators last faced off against a non-collegiate opponent.
1947: Florida State establishes program
In 1947, Florida State (FSU) established a football program.
1950: Charlie LaPradd Named to Second Team
In 1950, Charlie LaPradd was named to the Second Team Defense as defensive tackle for the Florida Gators.
1951: Rick Casares Named to Second Team
In 1951, Rick Casares was named to the Second Team Offense as running back for the Florida Gators.
1958: Annual game against Florida State begins
In 1958, Florida began playing in-state rival Florida State every year.
1958: First game against Florida State
In 1958, Florida first faced Florida State, beginning an annual series.
1963: Larry Gagner and Lynn Matthews Named to Second Team
In 1963, Larry Gagner was named to the Second Team Offense as offensive guard and Lynn Matthews to the Second Team Defense as defensive end for the Florida Gators.
1964: Steve Spurrier Named to Second Team
In 1964, Steve Spurrier was named to the Second Team Offense as quarterback for the Florida Gators.
1966: Changes in SEC membership
By 1966, three original members of the SEC had left.
1966: Spurrier wins Heisman
In 1966, Steve Spurrier became the school's first Heisman Trophy winner.
1967: David Ghesquiere Named to Second Team
In 1967, David Ghesquiere was named to the Second Team Defense as defensive end for the Florida Gators.
1968: Jack Youngblood Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1968, Jack Youngblood was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as defensive lineman.
1969: Carlos Alvarez Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1969, Carlos Alvarez was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as wide receiver.
1970: Jack Youngblood Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1970, Jack Youngblood was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as defensive lineman.
1971: Carlos Alvarez Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1971, Carlos Alvarez was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as wide receiver.
1972: Sammy Green, Ralph Ortega and Wayne Fields Named to Second Team
In 1972, Sammy Green and Ralph Ortega were named to the Second Team Defense as linebackers and Wayne Fields as safety for the Florida Gators.
1973: Mike Williams and David Posey Named to Second Team
In 1973, Mike Williams was named to the Second Team Offense as offensive tackle and David Posey as placekicker for the Florida Gators.
1976: Scot Brantley Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1976, Scot Brantley was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as linebacker.
1977: Cris Collinsworth Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1977, Cris Collinsworth was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as wide receiver.
1979: Orange Helmets with Script "Gators" Logo Introduced
From 1979 until 2006, Florida wore orange helmets with a script "Gators" logo in all contests.
1979: James Jones Named to Second Team
In 1979, James Jones was named to the Second Team Offense as running back for the Florida Gators.
1979: Scot Brantley Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1979, Scot Brantley was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as linebacker.
1979: Gators Switched to Orange Home Jerseys
In 1979, at the suggestion of coach Charlie Pell, the Florida Gators switched to orange home jerseys.
1980: Cris Collinsworth Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1980, Cris Collinsworth was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as wide receiver.
1980: Tony Lilly Named to Second Team
In 1980, Tony Lilly was named to the Second Team Defense as safety for the Florida Gators.
1980: Wilber Marshall Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1980, Wilber Marshall was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as linebacker.
1981: Lomas Brown Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1981, Lomas Brown was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as offensive lineman.
1981: Phil Bromley Named to Second Team
In 1981, Phil Bromley was named to the Second Team Offense as center for the Florida Gators.
1982: Ray Criswell Named to Second Team
In 1982, Ray Criswell was named to the Second Team Defense as punter for the Florida Gators.
1983: Jeff Zimmerman and Alonzo Johnson Named to Second Team
In 1983, Jeff Zimmerman was named to the Second Team Offense as offensive guard and Alonzo Johnson to the Second Team Defense as linebacker for the Florida Gators.
1983: Wilber Marshall Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1983, Wilber Marshall was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as linebacker.
1984: Named national champion by major selectors
In 1984, Florida was named national champion by NCAA-designated "major selectors".
1984: SEC Championship vacated
In 1984, Florida won its first SEC championship, but the title was later vacated due to NCAA infractions.
1984: Lomas Brown Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1984, Lomas Brown was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as offensive lineman.
1985: Ineligible for SEC Championship
In 1985, Florida finished atop the SEC standings but was ineligible for the championship due to NCAA probation.
1985: Named national champion by major selectors
In 1985, Florida was named national champion by NCAA-designated "major selectors".
1985: Louis Oliver Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1985, Louis Oliver was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as defensive back.
1987: Emmitt Smith Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1987, Emmitt Smith was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as running back.
1987: Kirk Kirkpatrick Named to Second Team
In 1987, Kirk Kirkpatrick was named to the Second Team Offense as tight end for the Florida Gators.
1987: Rivalry with Miami interrupted
In 1987, the annual uninterrupted rivalry with the University of Miami Hurricanes ended.
1988: Trace Armstrong and Brad Culpepper Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1988, Trace Armstrong and Brad Culpepper named to the 100th Anniversary Team as defensive linemen.
1989: Emmitt Smith Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1989, Emmitt Smith was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as running back.
1989: Stadium named for Ben Hill Griffin
In 1989, the stadium was extended to "Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium" to honor Ben Hill Griffin.
1989: End of Orange Home Jersey Era
Until 1989, the Gators wore orange home jerseys, after which they reverted to blue.
1990: Errict Rhett Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1990, Errict Rhett was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as running back.
1990: Ineligible for SEC Championship
In 1990, Florida finished atop the SEC standings but was ineligible for the championship due to NCAA probation.
1990: Steve Spurrier Restores Blue Home Jerseys
In 1990, Steve Spurrier restored the home blue jerseys when he became the Gators' head ball coach.
1990: Spurrier returns as coach
In 1990, Steve Spurrier returned to his alma mater as the Gators' head coach.
1991: Consecutive bowl game appearances
From 1991, Florida began a streak of 22 consecutive bowl-game appearances.
1991: SEC Championship
In 1991, Florida won a Southeastern Conference championship.
1991: Kevin Carter, Brad Culpepper and Shayne Edge Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1991, Kevin Carter, Brad Culpepper and Shayne Edge named to the 100th Anniversary Team as defensive lineman and punter respectively.
1991: First official SEC Championship
In 1991, the Gators won their first official SEC football championship.
1992: SEC expansion
From 1992 onwards, six members were added to the SEC.
1992: Florida in East Division of SEC
From 1992 to 2023, Florida played in the East Division of the SEC and played each opponent in the division each year along with several teams from the West Division.
1992: Chris Doering and Jason Odom Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1992, Chris Doering and Jason Odom named to the 100th Anniversary Team as wide receiver and offensive lineman respectively.
1992: Tied atop SEC East
In 1992, Florida tied with Georgia atop the SEC East and played in the 1992 SEC Championship Game due to its head-to-head victory.
1992: Jason Odom and Jack Jackson Named to Second Team
In 1992, Jason Odom was named to the Second Team Offense as offensive tackle and Jack Jackson as kick returner for the Florida Gators.
1992: SEC schedules standardized
In 1992, SEC schedules became standardized when the league split into two divisions.
1992: "The Swamp" nickname coined
In 1992, Steve Spurrier coined the stadium's nickname of "The Swamp".
1992: Divisions established in SEC
In 1992, with the addition of Arkansas and South Carolina, the SEC split into eastern and western divisions and a championship game was established between the division winners.
1993: Danny Wuerffel and Jeff Mitchell Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1993, Danny Wuerffel and Jeff Mitchell named to the 100th Anniversary Team as quarterback and offensive lineman respectively.
1993: SEC Championship
In 1993, Florida won a Southeastern Conference championship.
1994: SEC Championship
In 1994, Florida won a Southeastern Conference championship.
1994: Fred Taylor and Ike Hilliard Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1994, Fred Taylor and Ike Hilliard named to the 100th Anniversary Team as running back and wide receiver respectively.
1994: Kevin Carter, Fred Weary and Shayne Edge Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1994, Kevin Carter, Fred Weary and Shayne Edge named to the 100th Anniversary Team as defensive lineman, defensive back and punter respectively.
1994: Reidel Anthony and Ike Hilliard Named to Second Team
In 1994, Reidel Anthony and Ike Hilliard were named to the Second Team Offense as wide receivers for the Florida Gators.
1995: Chris Doering and Jason Odom Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1995, Chris Doering and Jason Odom named to the 100th Anniversary Team as wide receiver and offensive lineman respectively.
1995: SEC Championship
In 1995, Florida won a Southeastern Conference championship.
1996: Danny Wuerffel, Jeff Mitchell and Ike Hilliard Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1996, Danny Wuerffel, Jeff Mitchell and Ike Hilliard named to the 100th Anniversary Team as quarterback, offensive lineman and wide receiver respectively.
1996: National Championship
In 1996, Florida won a national championship and was ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches polls.
1996: Jevon Kearse Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1996, Jevon Kearse was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as linebacker.
1997: Fred Taylor Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1997, Fred Taylor named to the 100th Anniversary Team as running back.
1998: Alex Brown and Jevon Kearse Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1998, Alex Brown and Jevon Kearse named to the 100th Anniversary Team as defensive lineman and linebacker respectively.
1998: Jeff Chandler Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1998, Jeff Chandler was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as placekicker.
1999: Lito Sheppard Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 1999, Lito Sheppard was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as defensive back.
2000: SEC Championship
In 2000, Florida won a Southeastern Conference championship.
2001: Alex Brown and Lito Sheppard Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 2001, Alex Brown and Lito Sheppard named to the 100th Anniversary Team as defensive lineman and defensive back respectively.
2001: Jeff Chandler Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 2001, Jeff Chandler was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as placekicker.
2002: Mike Degory Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 2002, Mike Degory was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as offensive lineman.
2003: Channing Crowder Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 2003, Channing Crowder was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as linebacker.
2003: Three-way tie
In 2003, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee ended the regular season in a 3-way tie, but Georgia advanced to the 2003 SEC Championship Game due to its higher BCS ranking.
2004: Channing Crowder Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 2004, Channing Crowder was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as linebacker.
2005: Mike Degory Named to 100th Anniversary Team
In 2005, Mike Degory was named to the 100th Anniversary Team as offensive lineman.
2006: National Championship
In 2006, Florida won a national championship and was ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches polls.
2006: 100th Anniversary Team Selected
In 2006, the 100th-Anniversary Florida Team was selected to celebrate a century of Florida football. Fans voted by mail and online.
2006: Gators Commemorate 100th Year with Throwback Uniforms
To commemorate the 100th year of the football program in 2006, the Gators played one game wearing throwback uniforms modeled after their mid-1960s uniforms which included white helmets with a simple "F" logo.
2008: National Championship
In 2008, Florida won a national championship and was ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches polls.
2009: Gators Participate in Nike's Pro Combat Uniform Campaign
In 2009, the Gators participated in Nike's Pro Combat uniform campaign, wearing specially-designed blue uniforms and white helmets with a slant-F logo.
2012: Conference slate
From 2012, the Gators' annual conference slate consisted of Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt along with permanent Western Division opponent LSU plus another Western Division team on a rotating schedule.
2012: Tied atop SEC East
In 2012, Florida and Georgia again tied atop the SEC East, but Georgia advanced to the 2012 SEC Championship Game due to its head-to-head victory.
2012: Streak of consecutive bowl game appearances ends
Until 2012, Florida had a streak of 22 consecutive bowl-game appearances.
2014: Blue and White Primary Home Uniforms
From 1990 until 2014, Florida's primary home uniforms were blue jerseys with white pants, with blue pants as an option for high-profile games.
2015: Introduction of White Alternative Helmet
In 2015, Florida introduced a different white alternative helmet which featured the script "Gators" logo on one side and the slant-F logo on the other.
2015: Senior Players Decide Uniform Combination
Since the 2015 season, former coach Jim McElwain usually allowed his senior players to decide which uniform combination the team wore for each game, leading to various combinations of jerseys and pants.
2016: Outside linebackers coach at South Carolina
From 2016, he coached outside linebackers at South Carolina.
2016: Field named for Steve Spurrier
In 2016, the field was rechristened "Steve Spurrier-Florida Field" to honor Steve Spurrier.
October 2017: Gators Wear "Swamp Green" Uniforms
In October 2017, Florida wore "swamp green" uniforms at a home game against Texas A&M. These uniforms used a dark green theme inspired by the appearance of actual alligators and marked the 25th anniversary of Steve Spurrier introducing the Swamp nickname.
2017: "Swamp Green" Helmets Worn
In 2017, the Gators wore "swamp green" helmets for one game. These dark green helmets featured a color-altered Gator head logo on one side and the player's number in orange on the other.
2018: Script "Gators" Logo on Both Sides of Helmet
In 2018, Florida replaced the slant-F logo with script "Gators" on both sides of their alternative white helmets.
2019: Throwback Uniforms Worn for Homecoming Game
For the 2019 homecoming game versus Auburn, Florida wore the same mid-1960s throwback uniforms, including the white helmets with the blue "F" logo within an orange circular outline.
2020: Most Recent SEC Championship Game Appearance
In 2020, Florida made their most recent appearance in the SEC Championship Game.
2020: Game against Florida State cancelled
In 2020, the annual game against Florida State was cancelled due to the pandemic.
2020: Blue Helmets Worn in Two Games
The Gators wore the blue helmets for two games in 2020: the tweaked 1960s version with the orange "F" logo within an orange circular outline for their home game against Missouri, and the traditional version with the "Gators" script in orange font for their road game at Tennessee.
2021: Offensive Assistant for the New York Giants
In 2021, served as an Offensive Assistant for the New York Giants.
2021: 1960s Throwback Uniforms Worn for Homecoming Game
The team wore the 1960s throwback uniforms again for their 2021 homecoming game versus Vanderbilt, but with orange helmets including the interlocking "UF" logo.
2021: Gators Wear American Flag Helmets
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the Gators wore white helmets with the red, white, and blue American flag styled "Gators" script for their 2021 road contest at the University of South Florida.
2021: Outside linebackers coach at South Carolina
Until 2021, he coached outside linebackers at South Carolina.
2022: Wide receivers coach at FAU
In 2022, coached wide receivers at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
June 14, 2023: 2024 Conference Schedule Announced
On June 14, 2023, the 2024 conference schedule was announced for the Florida Gators.
November 4, 2023: Florida Debuts All-Black Uniforms
On November 4, 2023, Florida debuted an all-black uniform in its contest against the Arkansas Razorbacks to honor members of the armed forces, veterans and local first responders.
2023: Assistant secondary coach for the Los Angeles Chargers
In 2023, served as the assistant secondary coach for the Los Angeles Chargers.
2023: Defensive coordinator at Auburn
In 2023, served as the defensive coordinator at Auburn.
2023: Conference slate
Until 2023, the Gators' annual conference slate consisted of Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Vanderbilt along with permanent Western Division opponent LSU plus another Western Division team on a rotating schedule.
August 4, 2024: Opponents and Dates Announced
Announced opponents and dates as of August 4, 2024.
2024: SEC expands to 16 teams
Beginning with the 2024 season, the SEC expanded to 16 teams, abolished divisions, and devised a new scheduling formula.
2024: SEC Eliminates Divisions
In 2024, the SEC will expand the conference to 16 teams and will eliminate its two divisions, causing a new scheduling format for the Florida Gators to play against the other members of the conference.
2024: Records as of end of season
Records are current as of the end of the 2024 season.
