Florida has hired Louisiana Tech coach Michael White to replace recently departed Billy Donovan. The university announced the hiring Thursday evening .
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“I have an incredible amount of respect for the University of Florida, and I am so excited to be a Gator,” White said in a statement. “Not only is Florida home for me, but the tradition and success that the Gators have built make this an incredible opportunity.”
White’s deal is for six years and will pay him about of $2 million per year.
Reports earlier Thursday said White was a leading candidate for the job .
He brings a stellar track record to Gainesville. He led Louisiana Tech to three consecutive Conference USA championships and compiled a 101-40 record in four seasons. He was named the conference’s Coach of the Year in 2015.
Recruiting success in the Sunshine State — long a point of contention for Florida schools — is another key aspect of White’s background that makes him an easy sell to Gators fans. His 2014-15 roster featured five players from Florida, and he’s known as a powerful recruiter in the southeastern part of the country.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed by athletic directors. Both Tennessee and Missouri tried to lure White in recent seasons following the departures of Cuonzo Martin and Frank Haith, respectively.
“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,” Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement.
While White has been successful in his own right, he has huge shoes to fill.
Donovan led Florida to two NCAA championships, four Final Fours and 14 NCAA Tournament appearances in 19 years. He left the Gators to become coach of the NBA’s Thunder.
Sporting News Media’s Kami Mattioli contributed to this report.
