Paul Finebaum: Mike White to Georgia is an 'underwhelming' hire

Georgia made a shocking move on Sunday, as the Bulldogs decided to hire Mike White — who at the time of his hiring had not yet been dismissed from Florida — as the program’s newest head coach, a decision that came just days after the university moved on from former head coach Tom Crean.

It was a confusing move to most college basketball analysts, and ESPN’s Paul Finebaum was no exception. Finebaum believes that the Bulldogs could’ve done better, and that White may not be the impact hire that Georgia needed to revive its men’s basketball program.

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“I think Mike White is a good basketball coach, but he clearly needed to leave Florida. I’m glad he got a job. I’m not saying that because this is about personalities, but in being outside on Wednesday — and now, sometimes you’re victim to the whims of the moment,” Finebaum said. “Had I polled accurately the first 50 Florida fans who left that arena after losing to Texas A&M, I would’ve said all 50 would’ve wanted Mike White out and would be more than happy to pay his car fare 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 anyone else. I think he is solid. It’s an underwhelming hire.”

Finebaum was thoroughly unimpressed with the White hire at Auburn, he still thinks White can do better than Crean did. That’s not saying much, though, as Crean hardly ever got the program off the ground floor of the SEC.

“It’s probably a little better than Tom Crean because Tom Crean was really all flash and no substance, and I think Mike White is a substantive coach,” Finebaum said. “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 a Bruce Pearl, but it’s Georgia basically saying, ‘You know what? We don’t take basketball very seriously.'”

Additional details emerge on Georgia hiring Mike White from Florida

After the news that Florida basketball head coach Mike White was hired away by Georgia on Sunday, additional details emerged regarding the shocking move. White had been extended through the 2027 season with Florida, and Georgia will pay Florida for the early buyout of his contract.

“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.

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 downwards 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.