UGA hires Florida's Mike White as new men's basketball head coach
UGA hires Florida's Mike White as new men's basketball head coach
Georgia officially announced on Sunday that it is hiring Florida basketball head coach Mike White.
He will replace former Bulldogs’ head coach Tom Crean, who was fired from his position earlier this week after going 6-26 this past season. White is now tasked with rebuilding Georgia’s program.
“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program at the University of Georgia,” White said in a statement to reporters. “President Jere W. Morehead and Athletics Director Josh Brooks are united in a strong vision for UGA Basketball which resonated with me deeply. They believe, as I do, in developing our young men as students, athletes and leaders, as well as providing them with the support they need to be successful. I believe in the limitless future of Georgia Basketball. To the Georgia Basketball family, friends and fans, I’m ready to get to work. Go Dawgs!”
The former Gators’ head coach went 142-88 in seven seasons in Gainesville. White led Florida to four NCAA Tournaments in that time and made the Elite Eight in 2016-2017.
Before his time at Florida, the 45-year old coached at Louisana Tech, where accumulated a 101-40 record in four seasons. He led the Bulldogs to the NIT in three of his four years in Ruston. White also spent time as an assistant at both Ole Miss and Jacksonville State.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Mike White and his family to Athens,” Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said. “We have witnessed Coach White be a leader of men, as well as a proven winner with an impressive postseason body of work. We want to compete for national success in all 21 of our sports, and we believe that he is the coach that can build Georgia Basketball to a consistent winner on the collegiate basketball landscape.”