Florida Basketball: 8 candidates to replace Mike White as head coach

By Joey Loose | Mar 14, 2022

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: head coach Mike White of the Florida Gators reacts to a call during the second half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on February 22, 2022 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

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Bob Richey Furman Paladins (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Bob Richey

After looking closely at Miller, we look back at one last intriguing name on the mid-major market. There are always a few hot names to think about, but we’re looking this time at a head coach from the Southern Conference. This league has produced successful ACC head coaches Mike Young and Steve Forbes in recent years; why can’t they produce another one for the SEC?

Richey is a New Orleans native who’s spent his entire collegiate career in South Carolina. He had two long stints on staff at Charleston Southern and Furman before the Paladins promoted him to head coach in 2017. During his five seasons as head coach, he’s led Furman to five Top 3 finishes in the SoCon, a pair of postseason appearances, and a winning percentage north of 70%.

In a way, Richey is pretty similar to White, so that may be one reason why the Gators stay away from bringing him to Gainesville. Regardless, he’s a talented young coach who has made Furman a potent and consistent mid-major team, winning at least 22 games in each of his four unshortened seasons with the Paladins. Richey will get his moment to shine, whether or not it’s at Florida or another SEC school.

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