Columbia is bringing again Florida assistant Kevin Hovde as its new head basketball coach.
He’ll proceed with the Gators, who’re within the Candy 16 of the NCAA Event, till the tip of their season.
Hovde was an assistant coach on the Ivy League program for 5 seasons from 2012-16, together with two seasons alongside present Gators head coach Todd Golden.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kevin Hovde again to the Columbia household,” athletic director Peter Pilling stated in a information launch. “Our objective for our males’s basketball program is to win Ivy League Championships, and we imagine he’s the correct individual to guide us there. Kevin has a ardour for the sport, is dedicated to student-athlete growth, and has a strategic method to teaching and recruiting with a confirmed observe report of success.”
Hovde replaces Jim Engles, who stepped down on March 10 after compiling a 71-150 report over eight seasons.
Columbia began 11-1 this season earlier than stumbling to a 1-13 convention report and a 12-15 end.
Hoyde stated he’s comfortable to be headed again to New York.
“Columbia is actually a particular place for my household and me, and we’re thrilled to be again,” he stated. “It is humbling to have the chance to develop younger males into leaders on and off the court docket at one of many prime universities on this planet. I’m desirous to get to work and construct a program our alumni and group could be happy with.
After his stint at Columbia, Hovde was an assistant coach at San Francisco (2016-21) and his alma mater Richmond (2021-22) earlier than rejoining Golden at Florida forward of the 2022-23 marketing campaign. Golden was the pinnacle coach at San Francisco from 2019-22.
Hovde is the second Florida assistant coach to land a head teaching job this month. Campbell employed John Andrzejek final week.
The No. 1-seeded Gators (32-4) will tackle No. 4 seed Maryland on Thursday within the West Area in San Francisco.
–Area Stage Media