Tony Amato out as Florida women's coach after one season
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Apr 28, 2022
In a statement, the Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said there was "a disconnect between Tony and his athletes" and "challenges with relationship building and communication."
Amato was hired from Arizona to replace retiring Becky Burleigh, but the Gators finished with a 4-12-4 record and tied for 10th in the SEC with a 3-6-1 record.
Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, reported that Amato's departure followed complaints by Gator players who said he pressured them about their eating habits and their bodies.
It also reported that four players quit with remaining eligibility and 13 others have entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Scott Stricklin's statement:
“This decision was extremely difficult. My thorough evaluation of the soccer program is that there is a disconnect between Tony and his athletes. We have worked diligently with Tony since last fall when I first became aware of challenges with relationship building and communication. As the issues continued to be brought to my attention, it became apparent that sufficient progress was not being made and Tony was not a fit for the University of Florida. Therefore, it is my assessment that in order to have the program we all expect, this change is necessary. I appreciate Tony’s hard work during his time here and wish he and his family the best. I fully recognize the disruption this causes our athletes and our program. We all wanted this to work, but ultimately it is my responsibility to do what is in the best long-term interest of this program, and thus this decision. We are totally committed to having an outstanding soccer program. I assure everyone this is extremely important to all of us as we begin the search for our new coach.”
4 comments about "Tony Amato out as Florida women's coach after one season".
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Did the NWSL/NWSLPA "Turn him In", like Clarkson.???
"Hens are Definitely running the Fox House"(sic)
Stupid comment
Santiago
really!!!
think it's obvious when half the team are ready to leave.
clearly he is not a coach that should be coaching any kind of team. Sure you can have healthy eating habits as part of a program but body shaming is not part of any program.
I think some of you need to tune down the sexist comments they not amusing.
Didn't know beans about this Amato but reading this piece :
https://www.wuft.org/news/2022/04/27/florida-soccer-coach-leaving-after-complaints-by-players-over-comments-about-eating-habits-bodies/
Nailed it for me!!! The guy doesn't belong in soccer,but scary part is that so many are like him.....
Neither was I impressed as far as 'real football' in outlook with the previous coach who retired .