In 1996, University of Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley hired Billy Donovan away from Marshall to lead the Gators’ men’s basketball program. Though not a flashy hire in the least, Donovan went on to have unprecedented success with the UF program.
Nearly 20 years later, Foley has once again found an under-the-radar, but extremely successful, head coach for his program in Michael White. The news circulated late Thursday evening, and the school released a statement shortly thereafter.
“Michael White is someone who came to the top of our list very quickly and he checks all of the boxes we were looking for,” Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said in the school release. “He is a winner who has a high level of integrity, plays an up-tempo style of play and has the respect of his peers and the basketball community. He has experience in coaching, recruiting and playing in the Southeastern Conference and has a strong pedigree. He has a certain authenticity with people and is not afraid of challenges.”
White had spent the previous four seasons as the head coach of Louisiana Tech, where he compiled a 101-40 record with the Bulldogs. His run included three straight conference championships, two of them tied, and three straight NIT appearances.
While he is a Florida native, White played his college basketball at Ole Miss–he would later become an assistant coach for the Rebels, after beginning his coaching career with Jacksonville State. The return to his home-state was something that White said enticed him about the job opportunity.
“I have an incredible amount of respect for the University of Florida, and I am so excited to be a Gator,” White said in a school release. “Not only is Florida home for me, but the tradition and success that the Gators have built make this an incredible opportunity. I know about the great home court advantage in the O’Connell Center, which is a testament to the fans and the Rowdy Reptiles. There’s an unbelievable commitment to excellence athletically and academically at UF, and it starts with the leadership of Dr. Fuchs and Jeremy Foley. I look forward to returning to the SEC where I have a lot of great memories, and I can’t wait to create many more alongside The Gator Nation.”
The Gators finished 16-17 (8-10) in Donovan’s final season.
