Florida Gators Women's Basketball Parts Ways with HC Kelly Rae Finley

A national search for her replacement is underway after Finley led the program for four full seasons.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Florida Gators women's basketball program is making a change of leadership, parting ways with head coach Kelly Rae Finley after four full-time seasons leading the program, athletic director Scott Stricklin announced on Monday. Finley, including a season as the interim head coach in 2021-22, finishes her time at Florida with a 93-75 record and 30-50 record in SEC play.

Why it matters

Finley had some success in non-conference play and recruiting, but struggles in SEC competition ultimately led to her departure. The Gators are looking to build a women's basketball program that can consistently reach the NCAA Tournament and compete among the top teams in the Southeastern Conference.

The details

Finley led the Gators to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament as the interim coach and appearances in the WNIT (2023) and WBIT (2024, 2025) in her time with the program. However, Florida went 18-15 this season after an 8-1 start, losing in the second round of the SEC Tournament.

  • Finley was promoted to interim head coach after Cam Newbauer's resignation in 2021-22.
  • Finley led the Gators to a 21-11 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in her first season as interim head coach.
  • Finley had her greatest success in non-conference play, having at least 10 wins a season against non-SEC opponents.

The players

Kelly Rae Finley

The former head coach of the Florida Gators women's basketball program, who led the team for four full-time seasons.

Scott Stricklin

The athletic director at the University of Florida, who announced the decision to part ways with Finley and is leading the search for a new head coach.

Cam Newbauer

The former head coach of the Florida Gators women's basketball program, who resigned and was later the subject of a report detailing allegations of abuse made by former and current players.

Liv McGill

A former five-star recruit and current sophomore star for the Florida Gators women's basketball team.

Me'Arah O'Neal

A forward for the Florida Gators women's basketball team, recruited by Finley.

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What they’re saying

“We are grateful for Coach Finley's commitment to the program and the student-athletes during her time in Gainesville and wish her and her family the very best moving forward.”

— Scott Stricklin, Athletic Director, University of Florida (si.com)

“I'd like to thank the administration for entrusting me with the development of Florida's women's basketball team over these last four-plus seasons. I've been blessed with the opportunity to work with a number of amazing coaches, support staff and boosters during my time in Gainesville who believed in what we were doing to put Florida women's basketball back on the map.”

— Kelly Rae Finley, Former Head Coach, Florida Gators Women's Basketball (si.com)

“I'm immensely proud of the work we put in and the things we accomplished together. But I'm most proud of our players. As much as college athletics is about wins and losses, for me it is also about developing young women. The opportunity to work with such an amazing group of players over the years here in Florida has been an absolute joy, and I'm looking forward to seeing the impact this current group of Gators will have moving forward both as amazing athletes on the court, and as high-character people throughout the rest of their lives.”

— Kelly Rae Finley, Former Head Coach, Florida Gators Women's Basketball (si.com)

What’s next

The University of Florida is committed to building a women's basketball program that consistently reaches the NCAA Tournament and competes among the top teams in the Southeastern Conference. A national search for Finley's replacement is underway.

The takeaway

Finley's departure highlights the high expectations for the Florida Gators women's basketball program, which is looking to return to the NCAA Tournament and compete at the top of the SEC. The search for a new head coach will be crucial in determining the future direction of the program.