Paul Finebaum: Mike White to Georgia is truly 'baffling' hire

Following the hire of former Florida head coach Mike White, Georgia basketball has received mixed reviews for its decision in the post-Tom Crean era. ESPN analyst and SEC expert Paul Finebaum chimed in on the “baffling” hire during an appearance on the McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning show on Monday.

While speaking with the two ESPN colleagues on local radio in Birmingham, Alabama, the conversation left Paul Finebaum with more questions about Mike White at Georgia than answers.

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“I think Mike White is a good basketball coach, but he clearly needed to leave Florida,” said Finebaum. “And I’m glad he got a job, and I’m not saying that just because of personality. But in being outside on Wednesday – sometimes you’re subject to the whims of the moment – but had I polled, accurately, the first 50 Florida fans who left that arena after losing to Texas A&M, I would have said all 50 wanted Mike White out and would be more than happy to pay his carfare to the airport. So I think there’s rejoicing in Gainesville right now.

“Is he the answer at Georgia? Probably not. I don’t know if he’s going to move the needle anymore than anybody else. I think he is solid. It’s an underwhelming hire, it’s probably a little bit better than Tom Crean because Tom Crean was really all flash and no substance. And I think Mike White is a substantive coach. Will they get to the tournament under him? At some point will this program be a factor? No, I don’t think this is the kind of wow hire that’s going to turn the trajectory around like a Nate Oats or Bruce Pearl. But it’s Georgia basically saying, ‘you know what? We don’t take basketball very seriously.’”

Paul Finebaum on Mike White hire

Paul Finebaum continued discussing his confusion with Georgia’s decision to quickly make a move on Mike White, who seemed on the way out from a rival team.

“I’m just not sure,” said Finebaum. “I’m struggling to find anything wrong to say about Mike White because I think he’s a very solid coach and he’s done an ok job at Florida. They went to an Elite Eight five years ago, lost to South Carolina, he’s been in the tournament. He’s just kind of always on that bubble line that drives fans crazy.

“It’s rare that a coach leaves voluntarily and the fanbase is rejoicing, that’s really the case. I have not really heard much from Georgia fans today, I think they are more interested in spring practice than basketball, and I think that’s really what the athletic department is saying. Instead of trying something new… they’ll be ok, they’ll probably be better than they were but really a baffling hire. There’s no other way of getting around it.”