Basketball coach’s departure offered Florida a Golden opportunity

For many Gators fans, few things exist that are more repulsive than the color combination of Arch Black and Bulldog Red. 

The University of Georgia’s colorway represents pure evil in the eyes of Florida fans. According to them, wearing it would be nothing short of committing treason.  

So on Jan. 27, when Mike White, the former head coach of the Florida Gators men’s basketball team, entered the Stephen C. O’Connell Center donning the red and black colorway, reactions ensued as expected. 

Florida fans chanted, “F*ck Mike White!” as a raucous chorus of boos took over UF’s student section. 

Despite White enjoying moments of success throughout his tenure with the Gators, it seemingly flew out the window as soon as he stepped foot back on campus.

White served as Florida’s head coach for seven seasons before making the unique decision to leave after the 2021-22 season for the head coaching position at Georgia.

According to Associated Press reporter Mark Long, the decision was made due to the toxicity of Florida’s fan base in reaction to the team’s underperformance. Moreover, White did it to protect his children.

“Mike White leaving Florida for Georgia shows just how badly he and his family wanted out,” Long wrote on X. “It had become really toxic with a vocal segment of the fanbase, and White didn’t want his young kids affected by it at school and via social media.”

Gators fans’ disappointment had reached a boiling point in White’s final season. Florida lost in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 in three straight seasons — disregarding the 2020 tournament, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak — and failed to receive a tournament bid his last year as UF’s head coach.

Then, White parted ways with Florida and joined its rival school, Georgia.

“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program at the University of Georgia,” White said in his opening statement at UGA. “I am extraordinarily grateful to the leadership of Scott Stricklin and to the entire Florida Athletics staff for an amazing experience during my tenure… We are truly thankful for our time at the University of Florida.”

In the world of sports journalism, media members found the choice made sense for both parties.

According to Swamp 247 reporter and former Alligator reporter Graham Hall, White’s decision came about due to a culmination of factors, including high expectations, difficult strength of schedule and untimely injuries.

“There were a lot of unfortunate situations outside of his control and the expectations of the footsteps he followed in,” Hall said. 

It was nearly impossible for White to come close to his predecessor Billy Donovan in terms of on-court success. Donovan served as the Gators’ head coach for 19 seasons, winning back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2006-2007, four SEC Championships and earning the most wins in program history.

Every day White was at the practice facility, a mural of Donovan and his championship team metaphorically stared down at him. UF even named the Exactech Arena court after Donovan during White’s tenure.

When White left for a rival school, fans were livid. But it's a change that brought a new face and new wins.

The Gators hired current head coach Todd Golden on March 18, 2022, who has revamped Florida basketball since his arrival.

Golden finished his second season with a 24-12 record (11-7 SEC). The Gators went on to reach the SEC championship game for the first time since 2014 and received an NCAA Tournament bid as a No. 10 seed.

Now, Golden will look ahead to his third year with lofty expectations and a reloaded roster featuring three transfers in former Washington State freshman center Rueben Chinyelu, former Chattanooga sophomore forward Sam Alexis and former junior Florida Atlantic guard Alijah Martin. 

All three newcomers are expected to emerge as significant contributors in the upcoming season. Additionally, the Gators return a pair of preseason All-SEC selections in senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. and sophomore forward Alex Condon.

“I thought we added the pieces we needed to and retained who we wanted to keep,” Golden said. “I don't want to say it gets easier, but the longer you are somewhere, the more confident you get in your processes. Things start working a little easier together, and I thought we had a good offseason.”

On the other hand, the success hasn’t been quite as high for Georgia but has been equally as drastic.

The Bulldogs finished their 2021-22 season with a 6-26 record before firing former head coach Tom Crean. Under White, the program jumped to 16-16 and 20-17 in his first and second years, respectively. 

“When you look at the Georgia basketball roster this year, they're going to be much better than people think,” Hall said. “Those games this year [between Florida and Georgia] are going to be really, really good.”

The Bulldogs’ roster features one of the most talented freshmen in the country in 6-foot-11 forward Asa Newell. Additionally, UGA acquired former Vanderbilt guard Tyrin Lawrence through the transfer portal, who was extremely successful for the Commodores last season. 

Regardless of what White’s lack of success can be attributed to or the misfortunes that occurred behind-the-scenes during his tenure, there is no denying Florida fans will continue to be upset with the decision to join its rival school.

“How quickly the team has become competitive under Todd Golden has furthered the notion, in a lot of people's minds, that changing coaches was the right move,” Hall said. “If anyone looks back fondly on Mike, it's not going to happen for years and years, or it would come as a double-edged sword. It would take a collapse on the current regime and Georgia to be more competitive than Florida.”

Since White switched programs from Florida to Georgia, he is 0-4 against UF. The Gators and Bulldogs will face each other once again Jan. 25 at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center at 3:30 p.m.

Contact Luke Adragna at ladragna@alligator.org. Follow him on X @lukeadrag.

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