Establish The Run Fantasy Football
How Jonathan Safir and the Florida Gators Used Analytics to Win the National Championship (Episode 856, Interview with Adam Levitan)
Apr 18, 2025
Jonathan Safir, Assistant Coach for the Florida Gators and former Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics, shares insights from his journey into basketball analytics. He discusses how in-game data impacts decisions, showcasing strategies that led to the Gators' national championship victory. Safir also explores the role of analytics in recruiting amid the NIL and Transfer Portal changes. He emphasizes what the DFS industry can learn from college basketball analytics, revealing a future where data drives game strategies.
43:01
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Quick takeaways
- Jonathan Safir highlights the integration of advanced analytics, like 'hustle stats', to enhance coaching strategies and player assessments.
- The impact of NIL and the transfer portal necessitates a shift in coaching focus towards team culture and player retention strategies.
Deep dives
Journey to Coaching
Jonathan Sapphire's path to becoming an assistant coach at the University of Florida involves a strong academic background and a keen focus on analytics in basketball. After playing at Vassar College, he first entered the coaching scene as a graduate assistant at Columbia University, where he leveraged his American Studies major and economics minor to blend sports strategy with analytical insights. His unique combination of experiences allowed him to secure a position at the University of San Francisco, where he excelled and helped lead the Dons to the NCAA tournament. Eventually, he reconnected with Coach Todd Golden, resulting in their joint effort that culminated in a national championship victory for Florida.
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