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Florida’s Mike White in the NCAA Tournament for first time… As a coach

By Jordan Ellis

Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Mike White reacts after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Mike White reacts after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida head coach, Mike White, has seen the NCAA Tournament before, but never from this seat.

Coming to Gainesville from Louisiana Tech, Mike White was hired by Florida in May of 2015. White matched the school record for wins by a first-year head coach when he led the Gators to a 21-15 record last season.

The Gators played in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) last season. They beat Ohio State in the NIT, which was Florida’s first road win over a Big Ten team in program history. But they fell to George Washington in the quarterfinals, ending their season.

So the spotlight of the NCAA Tournament wasn’t in the cards for White’s inaugural season, but it’s not like he hadn’t been to college basketball’s biggest stage before.

College Career

From 1995-99, White started all four years of his college career at point guard for the University of Mississippi. And his time on the court as a Rebel didn’t go unnoticed.

In 1997 and 98, Ole Miss won consecutive SEC West Division titles, and they made three consecutive NCAA Tournaments from 1997-99. White helped bring Ole Miss their first ever NCAA Tournament victory when they beat Villanova in the first round of the 1999 NCAA Tournament.

Coaching Career

From 2000-04, White was an assistant coach at Jacksonville State and was an associate head coach in his final season.

After that, he headed back to Oxford from 2004-11 as an assistant coach under Andy Kennedy, where the Rebels made four NIT berths.

In 2011, White finally got his break, taking the head coach position at Louisiana Tech from 2011-15. Under White’s leadership, the Bulldogs went 101-40 and won three straight regular season conference titles. And in 2014-15, White was awarded Conference USA coach of the year.

Then Jeremy Foley and the Gators came calling and he made the hike to Gainesville.

Yet up to this point, the last time White saw the intensified stage of the NCAA Tournament was as a player for the Ole Miss Rebels.

And then this year happened.

Currently in his second season with Gators, their record stands at 26-8. This season, Vanderbilt seemed to have the Gators’ number, taking them out three times, including in the SEC Tournament.

The Gators beat East Tennessee State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, giving White his first tournament win as a head coach.

Their momentum continued in round two in Orlando when the Gators blew out Virginia 65-39.

So White’s first NCAA Tournament run as a head coach seems pretty sweet as the Gators enter the Sweet 16 against Wisconsin on March 24.

And if the Gators keep playing like they are, White’s first ride to the tournament as a head coach could result in a big win.

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