Buddy Martin Blog: For 11 Days, A Blur Of Change Hit Home

“Absolutely phenomenal,” my Louisiana friend said of Kelley. “I was stunned LSU and the Saints didn’t hire him when they had the chance."

When life gets in the way of sports. (Buddy Martin photo.)

By BUDDY MARTIN

GatorBaitMedia.com Editor

I was about to pull the plug on Thursday June 26, wrapping up the week’s GatorBait issue and preparing to stream my last Buddy Martin Show before a rare semi-vacation, but little did I know how much my world was about to change – and the Gator related things around it. There was a loud crash and my wife summoned me to come quickly. Then a blur.

Eleven days later I awakened to a sea of change, starting with the huge 100-year-old tree that had fallen on my house during a Microburst storm. It must have been similar to what Rip Van Winkle experienced when he finally awoke. Suffice to say that the anticipated 11-day working vacation never materialized.

Aside from personal inconvenience of said tree, there was plenty of news and noise on my beat. Despite five nights in Holiday Inn Express, which I guess makes me five-times smarter as an expert on most everything now, I am still scratching my head and wondering what all has happened to the once-glorious game of college football. Will it be better or worse?

As it relates to life, my damaged roof, gutters, fence, trees and busted air-conditioner took precedence over UCLA and USC suddenly bolting to the Big Ten. Which is huge news. No lie, this was the other shoe dropping on another cataclysmic change in college sports, which already has a lode to bear with the transfer portal and NIL money.

If you can’t keep up, you’re not alone.

In my lengthy lifetime and 50-plus years of observing, writing and talking about sports, I’ve never experienced such a quick and tumultuous change in college or pro sports. It has shaken the core, even in Gainesville, which has experienced its own tidal wave.

Before we even get to the matter of the sudden emergence of the anticipated Super Conference some of us have been prophesying, let me point out that the final piece of the Louisiana Purchase transpired at UF this week with the hiring of Mick Hubert’s replacement.

Louisiana seems to be a talent-rich state for Scott Strickin’s hunting ground these days. As I said before, I’d love to have the North Florida franchise of Louisiana Hot Sauce.

UAA graphic by Kevin Cam Camps.

The employment of former New Orleans Pelicans announcer, ESPN college football and MLB play-by-play man Sean Kelley – don’t forget the second “e” -- came as a bit of surprise to us. Both in the timing and the choice. Which is not to say it was a bad choice or that any particular time would have been better.

The folks at UAA kept this one under wraps. Perhaps to suppress any outside influence or politicking, which is certainly Stricklin’s right. Though no expert on these matters, I had hoped that former Gator player and ACC broadcaster James Bates might have been worth a look-see. But, then, they seldom pay attention to my suggestions.

So the 50-year-old Kelley, with a wide variety of expertise, pleasant delivery and excellent reputation in the broadcast business, becomes only the fourth man ever behind the mic for Florida, following, Hubert, David Steele and Otis Boggs.

We’re all going to miss Mick. Say goodbye to “Oh my!” Hell, I grew up on listening to Otis and missed him. Was out of the state during most all of Steele’s era.

Eventually Hubert’s ebullient style grew on us, but to be honest the radio broadcast became less critical when just about all the games were telecast.

Still, a signature voice is imperative for college sports. Something tells me Kelley’s gonna make that transition quicker than most.

Already with several samples of his work released in short-burst UF promos, we’ve been given a taste of what to expect. It’s fluent. And though it’s not a large enough sample to project Kelley’s style and familiarize us with his substance, his reputation proceeds him.

I called a talk show host friend mine from Louisiana and he was highly complimentary of Kelley.

“Absolutely phenomenal,” my Louisiana friend said of Kelley. “I was stunned LSU and the Saints didn’t hire him when they had the chance. It was no surprise ESPN Radio immediately hired him and put him on NFL, CFB, NBA and MLB. Ya’ll are VERY lucky.”

High praise. Of course, Kelley must yet make his bones with Gator Nation. And it will be earned under live fire. Don’t expect overnight acceptance. After all it took the beloved Mjck Hubert 4-5 years before he broke the code with the legendary “Doering’s got a touchdown” call.

So it’s going to take a minute for that connection.

Just as it’s taking a minute for me to return to my work-flow mode this week.

It did give pause for me to reflect on the unprecedented amount of change that has taken place in the Florida athletic department of late. Napier for Mullen. Golden for White. Kelley for Hubert. And we’re just getting accustomed to Stricklin for Foley.

Simultaneously, the game of college football is undergoing enormous change that is both perplexing and downright stupefying.

I’m still flummoxed over the massive geography of the new Big 10 footprint. At the same time, I am delighted at the potential which can be brought about in the game we love so passionately.

Football, alone, could become more competitive at a higher level. The SEC brand could be strengthened and expanded. Athletes will be supported at a new level and be offered more control over their destiny.

Gator fans should be encouraged. It’s a do-over. Never before have there been head coaching vacancies in their two major sports at the same time. New challenges by new people could present a rare opportunity.

A few days ago, Kelley was doing MLB baseball with Tim Kurkjian. (UAA Photo)

While any fool can see the peril of the changes, I think its short-sighted to predict gloom and doom. On the contrary. Things change quickly.

As I write this, amidst the clamor and clanging of hyper-critics who fear the sky is falling because another four or five-star committed elsewhere, this bulletin just came in over the transom:

Nease rising senior Marcus Stokes flipped from Penn State to the Gators in a stunning reversal. Stokes is the nation's No. 22 quarterback in the class of 2023 according to 247Sports' composite rankings.

And around the same time, this: Treyuan Webb (6-foot-1, 205 pounds), the cousin of former Florida defensive back Dee Webb, committed to UF over a significant offer list including Penn State, South Carolina and Oklahoma. He carried for 900 yards and 10 touchdowns across the final four games of the 2021 season as Trinity Catholic High School won the Florida 3A state championship. The No. 162 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite, Webb is considered the fifth-best running back in the nation. He immediately becomes the highest-rated offensive player in the Gators’ class.

I am looking at the remnants of what that big tree did to my home, our beautiful brick façade and the swath of destruction. Then I measured by sight what might have happened had it landed 15 feet to the right where my wife sat watching TV in the family room. And I feel blessed. So much in life is pure destiny. I am grateful it went our way this time. Let the games play on. After all, sometimes we need reminding that they are just games.