Columbia University announced Monday that Florida men's basketball assistant coach Kevin Hovde will take over as the program’s next head coach.

Originally from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, Hovde (pronounced HUV-dee) joined Florida’s staff in 2022 under head coach Todd Golden and has since led the team’s offensive strategy. His connection to Columbia runs deep—he previously spent five seasons there from 2011 to 2016, including four years as an assistant coach.

During Hovde’s tenure at Florida, the Gators have delivered their two most prolific scoring seasons ever, averaging 85.6 points per game last season and 85.4 so far this year. The team’s 356 made three-pointers is just one shy of the school record of 357, set during the 2011–12 campaign.

“Hov and I have worked together five out of six years I've been a head coach,” Golden said during a recent press conference. “He's just an incredible basketball mind, but an even better person. Again, just incredibly mature, responsible. Always being ahead of the game with what he does. He deserves a lot of credit for how explosive our offense is.”

Hovde becomes the second Florida assistant this season to land a head coaching role, following John Andrzejek’s appointment at Campbell.

He will remain with the Gators through the NCAA Tournament. Florida is scheduled to play Maryland in San Francisco on Thursday at 7:39 p.m. EDT.

Kevin Hovde Timeline