Florida basketball coach Mike White is leaving the school to become the new head coach at Georgia, the Bulldogs announced on Sunday evening.
“Mike White informed me this afternoon that he was accepting another job,” athletics director Scott Stricklin said in a statement. “It’s been a pleasure having Mike, Kira and the White family with us in Gainesville, and we wish them well. They are a wonderful family who always represented the Gators in a first-class manner.
“The search for the next Gator men’s basketball coach has already begun, and I look forward to identifying a leader who will embody the UAA’s vision of providing a championship experience with integrity.”
White finishes his seven-year run at UF with a 142-88 record. The Gators were the only SEC team to make the last four NCAA Tournaments, and they would’ve been in the field in 2020 as well if the event hadn’t been canceled.
However, the program has steadily declined in recent years, culminating in missing out on the 2022 NCAA Tournament, which drew the ire of a significant portion of the fan base.
White led the Gators to the Elite Eight in 2017, his second year. In 2018, they were a No. 6 seed and lost in the second round. A year later, they sank all the way to a No. 10 seed and were blown out in the second round by Michigan.
The 2021 squad earned a No. 7 seed and was upset by 15th-seeded Oral Roberts in the second round.
The Gators enjoyed some major recruiting successes each year under White. They landed five-star Andrew Nembhard and four-stars Keyontae Johnson and Noah Locke in the 2018 class. A year later, they welcomed five-star prospects Tre Mann and Scottie Lewis.
The 2021 class was headlined by top-50 player Kowacie Reeves, and five-star forward Malik Reneau has signed as part of the 2022 class.
They also won some big games under White, most recently knocking off then-No. 2 Auburn on Feb. 19.
However, the only thing consistent about the UF program in recent years has been inconsistency, particularly on the offensive end. The 2021-22 team ranked 10th in the SEC in scoring and 11th in shooting percentage.
A four-game winning streak was too often followed by a three-game losing streak. Winning a game against a marquee opponent was too often followed by losing to a conference bottom feeder.
“I am extraordinarily grateful to the leadership of Scott Stricklin and to the entire Florida Athletics staff for an amazing experience during my tenure,” White said. “Thank you to each and every one of our current and former players. Your hard work, commitment and dedication was and continues to be an inspiration. I will cherish our relationships forever.
“In addition, the Gainesville community has been wonderful to my family and I. We are truly thankful for our time at the University of Florida.”
Stricklin will continue what’s been a busy last few months for him. Since November, he has fired former football coach Dan Mullen, hired Billy Napier to replace him and taken the interim tag off of women’s basketball coach Kelly Rae Finley.
Now he’ll lead a search to find the 22nd men’s basketball coach in school history.