Florida officially names interim head coach for NIT following Mike White departure

In a surprise move on Selection Sunday, Florida Gators men’s basketball coach Mike White left Florida to become the next head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs. Later on Sunday, Florida was named as a participant for the NIT Tournament, and the Gators have officially named Al Pinkins the team’s interim head coach for the postseason.

“Florida will compete in postseason play if selected, and associate head coach Al Pinkins will serve as interim head coach,” the Gators said.

Pinkins has extensive experience as an assistant coach across college basketball, and now he will get his chance as an interim head coach with Florida’s postseason hopes on the line. In his career, Pinkins has coached at six different programs, including Florida. He began in 2003 as an assistant at Middle Tennessee State, and he was there until 2011. Pinkins then spent 2011 to 2014 at Ole Miss, and spent 2014 to 2015 at Tennessee. He then spent 2015-2016 at LSU before going to Texas Tech from 2016-2018.

Pinkins first came to Florida in 2018, and he has been with the Gators ever since as an associate head coach.

Pinkins’ first game as Florida’s interim coach will come in the NIT

In a news-filled day on Selection Sunday, Florida was named as one of the team’s in the 2022 NIT Tournament. Florida is a three seed in the top left part of the NIT bracket, and will face off against Iona on Wednesday at home. If Florida wins against Iona, the Gators will face off against the winner of Xavier and Cleveland State in the next round.The Gators went 19-13 overall in the regular season, going 9-9 against SEC opponents.

Florida was the ninth seed in the SEC Tournament, but the Gators fell in the second round to eighth-ranked Texas A&M, who made a run all the way to the SEC Tournament Championship Game.

For White, his tenure with Florida seemed to be coming to an end. The Gators replaced former head coach Billy Donovan with White, and White wasn’t able to live up to Donovan’s level. Donovan won six SEC titles, four SEC Tournament titles, and had four Final Four appearances in 19 seasons.

While it is unknown who Florida will target as its next head basketball coach, that title currently belongs to Pinkins. He is hoping to make an impression beginning this week in the NIT Tournament.