See 'Ya Mike White: Here's A Sample Of Who UF Students Want As Their Basketball Coach

Before the game, Rick Pintino honored Donovan On Twitter with this. (Rick Pitino Photo)

(Editor’s Note: GatorBait intern Kyle Curtis is a journalism /communications major at Florida. This week he went to the streets on campus to ask students about the replacement of Mike White)

By KYLE CURTIS GatorBait Intern Recently, Mike White decided to move on from the Florida and accept a job as the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs. During his seven seasons as the coach of the Gators, only Tennessee and Kentucky have won more games in the SEC. Florida went 19-13 under White this year and missed the NCAA tournament after a sluggish end to the season. White compiled a 142-88 record during his tenure, good enough to be the Gators’ second all-time winning leader behind Billy Donovan. White was also 1 of 5 NCAA coaches to win a game in the past 4 NCAA tournaments, including an Elite 8 run. If Mike White had not decided to head to Georgia, in the eyes of certain Gator fans, he was destined to be on the hot seat this off-season. When asked if White’s departure was a good or bad thing for the state of the program some of the University of Florida’s students had some strong opinions. Out of 42 people asked, 35 believed that the program was better off with Mike White gone.

Goodbye Mike. Enjoy Athens.

“Mike White couldn’t develop any of the big recruits he was able to get here,” said Cade Beal, current student, “Even some of those transfers, like (Kerry) Blackshear, just never panned out.” “It wasn’t the level of production or NCAA tournament appearances,” said J.T. Story, “It was the underachieving with the tools he had in front of him.”

On the other side of things, there were a few students who believed that Florida and Florida's fans were dumb to virtually invite White out of town. “I think he has a great basketball mind,” Grant Migetz said. “Billy Donovan didn’t make it to the final four every year and now he has the court named after him. Patience is key.” Donovan was the paradigm as the all-time great at Florida and may have even spoiled fans, setting the expectation too high. His Gators squad was the last NCAA team to win back-to-back national championships and will likely looks to be that way for a while due to the lack of stability in modern-day college basketball. When asked students who they wanted Mike White’s successor will be the answer was anything but resolute: Rick Pitino: By far the most mentioned name was Florida’s opening round opponent’s head coach Rick Pitino. Pitino has had stints coaching all over, most notable Louisville and Kentucky where he was able to capture two national championships. Pitino also had Billy Donovan under him at one point which gives him the Florida tie. Steve Pikiell: Rutgers head coach has led his team to recent success. In a competitive Big 10, which had nine tournament teams, Pikiell was able to make the field with some quality quad one wins. Jerome Tang: The Baylor assistant coach who is becoming ready for a head coaching position. Baylor’s head coach, Scott Drew, name has also been tossed around, although he did just sign a contract extension with the Bears. Tang is a realistic option being in a Baylor program that has received yet another one-seed for the tournament coming off a national championship. Darian Devries: Current head coach at Drake. Devries was a graduate assistant and eventual assistant head coach at Creighton university before he was able to get his first head coaching job at cross-conference rival Drake. Bruce Pearl: Head coach at Auburn, hard to see him leaving Auburn after a contract extension and having such a successful past few years.

Kyle Curtis polled students. (Chris Spears Photo.)

When conducting the survey, there was no name suggested as a set target. When the tournament concludes, it will open the door more for Scott Stricklin to have a clearer view in the ongoing search. It is safe to say most Florida students were ready for a change, whether that means good or bad for Gator’s basketball future.