Chomping at Bits: Randy Shannon will coach Florida’s defense in Outback Bowl, per report

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Randy Shannon expected to coach defense for Outback Bowl: The Gainesville Sun’s Pat Dooley reports that Shannon will serve as defensive coordinator for the Gators against Iowa. That wouldn’t be terribly surprising. The source also told Dooley that Mark DeBastiani, a defensive quality control coach, will work with the linebackers for that game, and that any assistant coaching hires will be made after the bowl game. (Pat Dooley, Gainesville Sun; Scott Carter, Florida Gators)

The opening of the renovated O’Connell Center: The first sporting event in the new Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center will be the Florida men’s basketball game against Arkansas-Little Rock on Wednesday, December 21. But students and parents will get to experience the building starting today, when it opens for fall commencement. (Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun)

Austin Appleby on his final game: Appleby’s first and final college games will both have been against the Iowa Hawkeyes. This will also be Appleby’s first and last start in a bowl game. (Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel; Nick de la Torre, Gator Country; Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald)

Gators need draft-eligible players to contribute in bowl: Jim McElwain looks to Dante Fowler’s play in the Birmingham Bowl two years ago as an example of an underclassman, who was to be a top-round pick, still choosing to give it his all for the Gators in a bowl game. (Robbie Andreu, Gainesville Sun)

Mike Holloway enters USTFCCA Coaches Hall of Fame: Florida’s longtime track and field coach was thankful and humbled by the honor. (Zach Dirlam, Florida Gators)

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