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UF Notebook: Celtics Coach Pays Visit To Gainesville

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 15, 2008

GAINESVILLE In case the Gators didn't know what it took to become a champion, Coach Urban Meyer invited one to school Thursday night.

Doc Rivers, whose Boston Celtics claimed the NBA title in June, paid Florida a visit to give the Gators insight on the very subject.

Meyer called it Champions night and it included a 13-minute highlight reel of locker room celebrations and a few words from Rivers.

"To think the NBA champion Doc Rivers takes time out of his own personal time to come here to speak to the Florida Gators, just think about that for a minute," Meyer said.

Rivers' daughter, Callie, plays on Florida's volleyball team and his son, Austin, recently committed to the basketball team.

"I can tell it made an impact on a lot of the people, just watching their reaction," Meyer said. "They all know the Lakers. They know all the Celtics. He's a big believer in chemistry, character."

COOPER ON THE RISE: Early last season it appeared WR Riley Cooper's speed would make him one of QB Tim Tebow's favorite targets. The junior left tread marks down the field as he pulled in four catches for 122 yards - which included a 59-yard score - against Western Kentucky and scored a 30-yard TD against Tennessee.

A broken finger and poor route-running derailed what appeared to be a breakout season as Cooper finished 2007 with just 182 yards on eight catches.

According to wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales, Cooper has turned the corner.

"Cooper is as talented as anybody out there on the football field," Gonzales said. "He's as talented as any receiver across the country. He's got fantastic hands. This is the first camp where Riley has been healthy.

"He's made some serious strides."

With so much depth at the wide receiver position, Cooper will be in a dogfight for consistent playing time. According to Gonzales, junior college transfer Carl Moore is Cooper's main challenger.

"We want to see somebody step up and take a position," he said.

Karl Hyppolite

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