SEC: Here’s What We Know About Florida’s Michael White
The news broke less than 48 hours ago and it’s finally official. The person that the University of Florida chose to lead their program in the A.D. (After Donovan) period is none other than … drum roll please …
Michael Who?
Yeah … Michael White.
I tried to tell you less than five days ago that White’s name was going to appear on the radar of the Florida Gators. Better yet, I said it in this story here:
"“If you’ve never heard of Michael White, we don’t blame you. Just understand that White is on his way to becoming a household name in college basketball. The only question is how soon will he get there?”"
Now that White is a part of the Alligator Army he’s going to become a household name very quick because playing in the SEC next season will be a gauntlet. Thankfully White understands that next season will be challenging and in spite of the difficulties that he’ll face against other teams he remains very optimistic about his new job.
In a statement, White said:
"“Not only is Florida home for me, but the tradition and success that the Gators have built make this an incredible opportunity … I have an incredible amount of respect for the University of Florida, and I am so excited to be a Gator.”"
The move to sign White to a deal was a good decision. Hailing originally from the Sunshine State, White is an innately good fit with Florida. When it comes to recruiting White can boast to his recruits that he hails from Florida. White’s already built a bit of a name in the southeast. Eventually White became an assistant and an associate coach at Jacksonville State.
The state of Florida has been good to White. Furthermore on the 2014-15 roster at Louisiana Tech, White had five players on his roster that came from the Sunshine State.
But outside of recruiting, the most important aspect of a coaching job is none other than coaching. Can you develop the talent that you’ve been given? When that question gets asked to White, he can honestly say … yes.
White leaves Louisiana Tech with high marks across the board. White was 101-40 at Tech. His teams won 27, 29 and 27 games the last three seasons, respectively. To cap it off, last season White also won the Conference USA Coach of the Year award.
The best athletes are going to enjoy playing for White because he’ll put them in a position to get the basketball in space and to attack the lane. Additionally when the game starts to slow down players like Kasey Hill who are better at finding guys on the perimeter after breaking them down off the dribble, can drive and kick to open shooters because White’s offense spaces the floor.
The offense hasn’t completed shifted from Donovan’s philosophy so that is a selling point in itself.
The philosophy is one thing, but the players that find success in his scheme is another thing. To say that White develops talent is an understatement because he breeds success.
During White’s tenure at Louisiana Tech he won three straight conference championship titles, he coached the Conference USA player of the year, he had an AP All-American, he’s had the Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year, and he’s also had the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year.
Who wouldn’t want to play for a coach that gets the best out of his players?
It’s easy to think that someone can step into another person’s job and automatically bring the same value as their predecessor but if it were that easy then the phrase bad hire would never exist.
Thankfully Florida’s athletic director Jeremy Foley doesn’t look like he made a bad hire by getting White aboard on the Gators staff.
In a statement release to the school Foley said:
"He is a winner who has a high level of integrity, plays an up-tempo style of play and has the respect of his peers and the basketball community. He has experience in coaching, recruiting and playing in the Southeastern Conference and has a strong pedigree. He has a certain authenticity with people and is not afraid of challenges.”"
Because White isn’t afraid of a challenge, he’s in for a lot of fun memories at Florida.
Next: SEC: Why Was Billy Donovan So Underrated At Florida?
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers