GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Cam Newbauer has stepped down as Florida women’s basketball head coach for personal reasons, the University announced Friday.
“Being the head coach of the University of Florida women’s basketball team has been the honor of a lifetime,” Newbauer said. “After much reflection, my family and I have come to the difficult decision to step away. Gator Nation and the Gainesville community have accepted me, my wife Sarah and our three daughters from the day we arrived. We will greatly miss all of the people that have made our experience and make this place so special.
“There are many people who I am forever grateful for, but I especially want to thank all of the players who I had the privilege to coach. I have no doubt that the program we built is poised for great success.”
Kelly Rae Finley has been named interim head coach and will fill that role for the 2021-22 season, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin announced. Stricklin said UF plans to name a permanent women’s basketball head coach following the 2021-22 season.
“We wish all the best to Cam and Sarah and their family,” Stricklin said. “We appreciate their efforts during their time here, and we know Cam worked incredibly hard for the Gators and brought a high level of energy to the job.
“During Kelly’s four years here at Florida, she has been well-respected within the women’s basketball program and throughout the UAA, and we’re fortunate to have her step in and lead our young women.”
“I am committed to our student-athletes and will continue to do all I can to help them become the best they can be on and off the court,” Finley said. “I’m grateful to be entrusted with this role and will bring my best every day to help us be successful together as a team.”
Finley is entering her fifth season at Florida, including the past two as associate head coach. The Edina, Minnesota, native also served as acting head coach for three games last season and helped lead Florida to its first win at Ole Miss since 2016 in her head coaching debut. She is an integral part of all facets of the UF program, including recruiting, scouting and player development and has built up an impressive track record of success on the recruiting trail over her 13 seasons as a Division I coach.
Prior to Florida, Finley coached at Arizona (2016-17), Colorado (2012-16) and Harvard (2008-12) and is a 2008 graduate of Colorado State University, where she was a two-year letterwinner and earned Mountain West Conference Scholar-Athlete Award honors.
