Florida names interim coach following Mike White’s departure, Scott Stricklin begins search
By Keith Farner
Published:
Florida has moved on from Mike White as the now former men’s basketball coach accepted the same job at Georgia, it was announced on Sunday.
The Gators made the NIT field, and announced that associate head coach Al Pinkins would serve as interim head coach. White at Florida had a 142-88 record in 7 seasons.
“Mike White informed me this afternoon that he was accepting another job,” said Florida Athletics Director Scott Stricklin. “It’s been a pleasure having Mike, Kira and the White family with us in Gainesville, and we wish them well. They are a wonderful family who always represented the Gators in a first-class manner. The search for the next Gator men’s basketball coach has already begun, and I look forward to identifying a leader who will embody the UAA’s vision of providing a championship experience with integrity.”
Pinkins joined the Florida coaching staff as associate head coach ahead of the 2018-19 season, and his role on the staff was to work with Florida’s frontcourt. Pinkins has helped the Gators’ starting center to All-SEC accolades each of the past two seasons, as Kerry Blackshear Jr. garnered the honor in 2019-20 and Colin Castleton in 2020-21.
Before Florida, Pinkins collected 15 years of college coaching experience, including 5 in the SEC.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
