The Georgia Bulldogs are hiring former Florida Gators coach Mike White.
Mike White has a career record of 243-127 as a head coach. He helped Louisiana Tech achieve three first-place regular finishes in conference play. White made the NCAA Tournament four times with Florida, which does not include the canceled 2020 NCAA Tournament (Florida was projected to make the field of 68 teams).
White replaces former Georgia head coach Tom Crean following Georgia’s 6-26 season. The Bulldogs went 1-17 in SEC games in 2021-2022.
White will have an uphill battle to begin his Georgia career. He will have to improve the roster’s talent level. Georgia did have some bad luck with injuries in 2021-2022, but the Bulldogs need more talent.
Georgia had 10 players added to the roster last offseason. UGA needs to add some recruits or transfers to the class of 2022.
Mike White played college basketball in the SEC at Ole Miss from 1995 to 1999. He helped Ole Miss make three NCAA Tournaments and later served as an assistant coach for Ole Miss.
White served as the head coach of Louisiana Tech from 2011 to 2015. White had been Florida’s head coach since 2015.
How did Georgia basketball Twitter react to Mike White’s hiring at Georgia?
Exciting day in Athens!
Join us in welcoming Mike White as the new head coach of Georgia Basketball.#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/mKpzOyklKd
— Georgia Bulldogs (@UGAAthletics) March 13, 2022
Georgia basketball has different expectations than Florida basketball:
At Florida, Mike White reached the NCAA Tournament four times. He made an Elite Eight and had three second round exits.
That probably gets you a statue at Georgia if we’re being honest.
— Jason Butt (@JasonHButt) March 13, 2022
Can confirm Mike White is leaving #Gators for Georgia after 7 seasons, a 142-88 record and four NCAA Tournament appearances.
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) March 13, 2022
Was Florida considering moving on from Mike White? Probably not, but if they were, then the Gators saved some money.
The best part for Florida? This move by Mike White presumably saves the Gators $8 million in buyout money, which can now go to a new head coach.
Expect Florida to be a MAJOR player in the coaching carousel.
— Adam Spencer (@AdamSpencer4) March 13, 2022
Sources: UGA reached out to Florida around noon today for permission to speak with Mike White. UGA did a Zoom with White and he informed Florida officials he’s leaving a few hours ago. White told his team around 5 pm.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 13, 2022
Georgia is going to pay Florida $1.25 million for “poaching” Mike White. If the #Gators had fired White, they would have owed him $8.75 million.
— InAllKindsOfWeather.com (@AllKindsWeather) March 14, 2022
“I believe in the limitless future of Georgia Basketball” – Coach Mike White
Let’s ride! #GoDawgs
— Georgia Hoops (@UGAHoopsBlog) March 14, 2022
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