On Thursday, Florida ended a search to replace Billy Donovan by announcing that they have hired Louisiana Tech's Michael White as its next basketball coach. The Gators will reportedly pay White a salary of $2 million a year over six years.
When asked on why he went to the Gators, White had this to say:
"I have an incredible amount of respect for the University of Florida, and I am so excited to be a Gator," White told Gatorzone.com. "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."
White spent four seasons as an assistant at Jacksonville State (2000-04) and seven at Ole Miss (2004-11) before getting his first head coaching job with Louisiana Tech. White has been the head coach at Louisina Tech for four seasons, compelling a record of 101-40 and a conference record of 50-16 in two seasons with Conference USA and two with the Western Athletic Conferene. Under White, Louisiana Tech has won 27 games a year for the last three years and at least 13 games a year in league play. Louisiana Tech played in the NIT each of the past three years, and advanced to the quarterfinals in the past two. Louisina Tech won or shared the WAC regular-season title in 2013 and the C-USA regular-season titles in 2014 and '15, but lost in the league tournament in what were one-bid leagues.
White was strongly considered for the coaching positions last year at Tennessee and Missouri. However, he turned both of them down and chose to stay at Louisiana Tech, receiving an enhanced, six-year contract extension.This year, White was considered to be a candidate for the Alabama position that went to Avery Johnson.
White certainly has big shoes to fill replacing the great Billy Donovan. Donovan led the Gators to two national championships and became the winningest head coach in Florida's history. Now it's time for White to start winning traditions of his own.
Donovan on the other hand, will try to start a new chapter for the NBA franchise, the Oklahoma City Thunder.