The Florida Gators have their replacement for Billy Donovan, hiring now-former head men's basketball coach Michael White at Louisiana Tech.
According to ESPN, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley's search also included Dayton's Archie Miller and Xavier's Chris Mack. White is expected to install his own coaching staff while assistants John Pelphrey and Anthony Grant are left in limbo while Donovan sets up his Oklahoma City Thunder staff.
"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," Foley said in a press 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 coached Louisiana Tech for four seasons and has led them into the NIT Tournament in each of the last three. While Miller and Mack may be more experienced, Donovan did not make the NCAA Tournament in his first four seasons, which he split with Marshall and Florida, either.
Donovan went on to coach the Gators from 1996 to this past season and won two National Championships in back-to-back seasons in 2006 and 2007.
"I have an incredible amount of respect for the University of Florida, and I am so excited to be a Gator," White said in the 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."
