Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin releases statement on Mike White

On Sunday afternoon, former Florida basketball head coach Mike White departed the Florida Gators and decided to become the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs. On Sunday night, Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin released a statement following White’s departure from the Florida Gators men’s basketball program.

It reads: “Mike White informed me this afternoon that he was accepting another job. 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.”

He continued, “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,” Stricklin said.

Mike White leaving Florida additional details

“Instead of being on the hot seat at Florida next season, White gets a new deal and a fresh start at UGA,” stated ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “He’d been extended through 2027 at Florida. UGA will pay Florida about $1.25 million in buyout money.”

The move came as a surprise initially when reported on Sunday, but ultimately it appeared to be a best-case scenario for both schools. White’s time at Florida appeared to be coming to a head after a disappointing end to their 2021-22 season, and Georgia was in desperate need for a fresh start after firing Tom Crean just days before.

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In White’s seven seasons with Florida, the Gators have been an ever-present name in the NCAA Tournament. In his final season, Florida finished with a 19-13 record and a loss to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament. Florida made four straight tournaments before this season, from 2017-2021, and the downward turn for White’s team appeared to be another factor in his decision to move on from the school.

In each of their four appearances in the NCAA Tournament during that time, Florida won at least one game, making them one of just six teams in the nation to do so. In 2017, Florida entered the tournament as a No. 4 seed and advanced to the Elite Eight before falling to a fellow SEC team in South Carolina.

College basketball insiders explain the decision

According to Mark Long of the Associated Press, the decision shows how bad the relationship between the head coach and the school had become over the past few years. White feared it would impact his family.

“Mike White leaving Florida for Georgia shows just how badly he and his family wanted out,” Long posted on Twitter. “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.”

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello added that despite some recent success, Mike White’s inability to reach the point his predecessor did knocked his tenure off track.

“Mike White had won at least one game in four consecutive NCAA tournaments before this season — but Florida wasn’t going to make it this year,” said Borzello. “And he wasn’t Billy Donovan, so there was some tension there. There was speculation he could leave this offseason, so Georgia it is.”

On3’s Austin Brezina and James Fletcher III also contributed to this article.