The University of Florida and athletic director Scott Stricklin made the hire of new men’s basketball coach Todd Golden official on Wednesday, after which Stricklin and Golden met with local media for an introductory press conference. The latter leaves San Francisco after spending the past three seasons there as the head coach where he collected a 57-36 that included a trip to the NCAA Tournament this season. Here are some of the highlights from his first media availability.
Stricklin spoke first and said the University Athletic Association began the coaching search immediately after former coach Mike White informed him that he was leaving to become the Georgia Bulldogs‘ newest coach. He added that Golden wanted to be a Florida Gator and help them win championships.
Golden stepped to the microphone next and told reporters that Florida has a championship pedigree and that it has all the tools to win one.
White left the Gators because of his struggles to meet the program’s expectations and his seat was becoming hotter and hotter. Golden made it clear that he embraces those lofty goals.
“Not at all,” he said in response to a question as to whether Florida’s expectations are too high. “When this opportunity became available, Meghan and I decided this is where we want to be. [Mike White’s decision] didn’t change the way I felt about this place at all. I want those expectations.”
After he took the job, Golden said he reached out to former Gators coach Billy Donovan and spoke to him for about 30 minutes. The conversation gave him goosebumps because he looks up to him, telling Donovan that he will call him often for advice.
Golden developed a reputation for relying heavily on analytics with the Dons, which he fell in love with it when he was a walk-on at St. Mary’s. Some analytics-backed strategies he employed with San Francisco are fouling up three late in games, going for two-for-ones at the end of the half situations and avoiding mid-range jump shots.
Finally, Golden said he wants his teams to shoot better from the three-point line. It was an area Florida struggled with this past season.
Now that Golden is mostly settled in, he’ll need to attack the NCAA transfer portal this offseason to replenish the Gators roster.
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