Will Richard pays homage to former Florida title teams with 'Gator boys stay hot' line

In a stomach-churning game for Gator Nation, the Florida men's basketball team completed a stunning comeback to defeat the Houston Cougars in the 2025 National Championship game, securing the program's first title in nearly two decades.

After the final whistle was blown, head coach Todd Golden, Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, and other teammates couldn't contain their (understandable) excitement about the win.

“Just how connected we are,” Richard said on the turnaround from last year’s first-round loss. “We all love each other, we love playing for each other and we love being a Gator. Gator boys stay hot!”

Just a season ago, Florida was kicked out of the tournament after just one game in the Big Dance, disappointing the Gators and their fanbase. It took just one year for Golden and his players to

The phrase "Gator boys stay hot" might be one of the more unusual mottos that a collegiate team has used this year. However, it's actually a callback to the Florida team, which won back-to-back National Championships in 2006 and 2007.

'Gator boys stay hot' isn't new to Florida culture

Earlier this week, CBS Sports shared that the current Florida roster found inspiration and drive from their program's previously successful squad. To put it simply, the motto might have paid off.

Richard wasn't alone in shouting "Gator boys stay hot" from the rooftops as he and his teammates celebrated their incredible accomplishment. With the win, Florida finished the season with a 36-4 overall record and will get to hang a new National Championship banner in the arena.

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After the game, the Gators got to cut down the net as the classic 'One Shining Moment' video montage played on the jumbotron and the confetti continued to fall from above.