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Todd Golden sees 2nd Florida assistant take head coaching job
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Todd Golden’s coaching tree is growing.
Columbia announced Monday that Florida assistant Kevin Hovde has accepted the Lions head coaching job. Hovde is the second assistant on Golden’s staff to take a head coaching job. Fellow Gator assistant John Andrzejek recently accepted the head coaching job at Campbell.
— Columbia Athletics (@GoColumbiaLions) March 24, 2025
Join us in welcoming back former assistant @CoachKevinHovde as the new head coach of @CULionsMBB!#RoarLionRoar // #OnlyHere pic.twitter.com/4eSluyeBbC
Hovde and Golden have ties to Columbia. Hovde was on staff at Columbia from 2011-16. Golden was an assistant from 2012-14. The two also worked together at San Francisco, where Golden was head coach. Hovde reunited with Golden at Florida in 2022 after spending time at Richmond.
Kevin is an outstanding coach who has achieved tremendous success at every stop during his basketball career,” Golden said in a released statement. “His passion for the game and his ability to develop players is second to none. He will be an outstanding ambassador for Columbia, and he will help the Lions thrive in the Ivy League.
Golden will handle one staff opening internally, promoting Jonathan Safir into Andrzejek’s role. Per Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel, Golden will look externally to replace Hovde.
These staff moves come as Golden’s team is busy preparing for the Sweet 16. UF faces Maryland on Thursday. A victory would put the Gators in the Elite 8 for the 10th time in Florida basketball history.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
