Georgia coaching search: UGA reportedly 'taking strong look' at Horizon League basketball coach

Georgia was the first SEC team to fire its head men’s basketball coach in 2022. Candidates for the UGA job were already being reported prior to Tom Crean’s dismissal. At this stage, the Bulldogs are reportedly taking a strong look at Cleveland State’s Dennis Gates.

The Gates news comes from USA TODAY’s Dan Wolken.

Have heard this morning that Georgia is taking a strong look at Cleveland State’s Dennis Gates

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 13, 2022

Gates, 40, is a hot name on the coaching carousel. He has also been mentioned as a potential candidate at LSU and Missouri.

Cleveland State’s men’s basketball team accepts a bid to the NIT one year after making the NCAA Tournament.

The only question now: Will Dennis Gates be back for the Vikings? Rumblings and rumors swirling again from Georgia to Mizzou. We’ll see…

— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) March 12, 2022

Gates, who turned 42 in January, was hired by Cleveland State for his first head coaching job in 2019. He arrived after 8 years as an assistant at Florida State. The Seminoles made the NCAA Tournament 4 times while Gates was on staff (2012, 2017, 2018, 2019). Gates was part of the staff that guided FSU to back-to-back Sweet Sixteen appearances (2018-19) and a trip to the Elite Eight in 2018.

Gates’ record at Cleveland State is 50-39. The Vikings made the NCAA Tournament last year.