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Florida announces Jonathan Safir promotion, Dave Klatsky hire

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•04/22/25•

ZachAbolverdi

Jonathan-Safir-Florida-Gators
Florida's Jonathan Safir looks on against the Grambling State Tigers during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. (Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators officially announced the hiring of Dave Klatsky and promotion for Jonathan Safir as assistant coaches on Tuesday. UF coach Todd Golden first revealed the move for Safir in late March and added Klatsky to his coaching staff last week.

Safir (pronounced like the gem, “sapphire”) has been director of basketball strategy and analytics for the past three seasons under Golden and worked with him at San Franciso and Columbia. He’s been a vital part of Florida’s title run, helping assemble the roster and shape UF’s analytical approach.

“I am excited to announce the promotion of Jonathan Safir to the position of assistant coach,” Golden said. “Jonathan deserves a lot of credit for his work in many different areas of our program that ultimately led to our national championship victory a few weeks ago. He will continue helping me with the various roster management responsibilities he has had, and will take on a bigger role on-court moving forward. I am grateful to have him and Ali remain with us in Gainesville!”

Klatsky, 44, spent the past three years as the head coach at New York University, a Division III school. He went 68-16 with the Violets, leading them to three NCAA Tournaments — including the national title game this season — and back-to-back UAA Championships.

“I am thrilled to add Dave to our staff as an assistant coach here in Gainesville,” Golden said. “I have known Dave for many years and am confident he will fit in with the rest of our staff seamlessly.  Dave is a high achiever and a proven winner.  Whether it was at Penn as a player, Colgate as an assistant, or NYU as the program’s head coach, Dave has won big everywhere he’s been. He has a great analytical sense for the game, and is a great teacher on the floor. We are excited to welcome Dave, his wife Abby, and their three boys to the Swamp!”

Klatxky and Safir fill the openings on the staff from Kevin Hovde, who is now Columbia’s head coach after three seasons at Florida, and John Andrzejek, who was hired as the head coach at Campbell following two years with UF.

Jonathan Safir Timeline

Florida2025-presentAssistant Coach
Florida2022-25Director of Basketball Strategy & Analytics
San Francisco2021-22Assistant Coach
San Francisco2018-21Director of Basketball Operations
Columbia2016-18Director of Basketball Operations
Columbia2015-16Graduate Manager
Vassar2011-15Student-Athlete

Dave Klatsky Timeline

Florida2025-presentAssistant Coach
NYU2022-25Head Coach
Colgate2011-22Assistant Coach
Stevens Institute of Technology2007-11Assistant Coach
Penn1999-2003Student-Athlete

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