“Number
one, to be one of those programs that year-in and year-out are one of
the top three or four programs in the country,” he said. “How we go
about doing that is going to be very important in establishing the
program and making sure we've got the standards in place from a
recruiting standpoint, from a developmental standpoint, from a character
standpoint — making sure that we do things the right way and don't cut
corners.
“There's
a high level of expectation here, and I have a high level of
expectation for what I'd like to accomplish while I'm here. I'm here
because I believe we can get it done and we can certainly meet — and
exceed — some of the goals that we've set for ourselves.”
Shelton, 46, replaced Andy Jackson, who resigned May 25 following his 11th season with the Gators.
A
former Georgia Tech All-American who enjoyed a nine-year pro career,
Shelton came to UF following a highly successful, 13-year stint as head
coach of the Georgia Tech women's team.
Prior
to his arrival in 2000, the Yellow Jackets had never reached the NCAA
Tournament. Under Shelton, they posted a collective 227-108 record, made
the NCAA Tournament every year and won the 2007 NCAA title.
His
newest challenge is to take a UF men's program that reached the NCAA
Round of 16 in 10 of Jackson's 11 seasons — but has failed to go any
farther in eight of the last 10 — to the next level.
Assistant coach Amer Delic and volunteer assistant Scott Perelman round out Shelton's staff.
The
Gators are making their fall home debut this weekend by hosting the
2012 Bedford Cup at Scott Linder Stadium, featuring players from 11
state schools in individual singles and doubles competitions. Admission
is free.
“Knowing
that there's opportunity to move this program forward, that we can make
an impact in doing some things that have never been done here before,
is certainly attractive,” Shelton said. “That's a motivator every single
day to get better.”
