The modern University of Florida was created in 1905. The Buckman Act consolidated all state’s existing publically supported educational institutions into all male ““University of the State of Florida.”

The new Florida Team had three winning seasons with a 6-0 win over Gainesville Athletic club. The Gators adopted their orange and blue team colors, a combination of Florida Agricultural College and old East Florida Seminar, which were the university’s predecessors before the consolidation.

They ended 1911 season 5-0-1 by defeating Citadel, Clemson and the College of Charleston. In 1922 the Gators joined the Southern Conference.

Coach James Van Fleet led the team to its first national notoriety in 1923 and 1924. Florida beat heavily favored Alabama 16-6, one of the biggest upsets of the year.

Coach Charlie Bachman led the team to finish with the highest season win totals for 32 years and also gave the Gators their first All-American, Dale Van Sickel who later became Florida’s first member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

In 1933, Dutch Stanley, the new coach, in the first SEC football season for the Gators replaced Bachman. Later he was replaced by Josh Cody under fan pressure. In 1940 Tom Lieb replaces Coby and the team suffered as most players joined the World War II. Gators produced their second All-American, Fergie Ferguson during this dark period, in 1941.

From 1950 to 1959 lasted the Bob Woodruff era whereas from 960 to 1969, The Ray Graves era lasted. Doug Dickey led from 1970 to 1978 and in 1970; Charley Pell became the head coach until 1989. From 1990 till 2001, Steve Spurrier led the team and from 2002 to 2004, Ron Zook took over the charge. Currently, Urban Meyer is the coaching the Gators since 2005.

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