Reports: Columbia hires Florida's Kevin Hovde

Field Level Media|published: Mon 24th March, 13:07 2025

Florida Gators assistant coach Kevin Hovde yells at player during first half action of an NCAA basketball game as Florida Gators take on Merrimack College Warrors at Exactech Areana in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

Columbia is bringing back Florida assistant Kevin Hovde as its new head coach, multiple outlets reported Monday.

Hovde was an assistant coach at the Ivy League program for five seasons from 2012-16, including two seasons alongside current Gators head coach Todd Golden.

Hovde would replace Jim Engles, who stepped down on March 10 after compiling a 71-150 record over eight seasons.

Columbia started 11-1 this season before stumbling to a 1-13 conference record and a 12-15 finish.

After his stint at Columbia, Hovde was an assistant coach at San Francisco (2016-21) and his alma mater Richmond (2021-22) before rejoining Golden at Florida ahead of the 2022-23 campaign. Golden was the head coach at San Francisco from 2019-22.

Hovde would be the second Florida assistant coach to land a head coaching job this month. Campbell hired John Andrzejek last week.

The No. 1-seeded Gators (32-4) have advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and will take on No. 4 seed Maryland on Thursday in the West Region in San Francisco.

--Field Level Media

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