Columbia takes back Florida assistant Kevin Hovde as his new basketball coach.
He will continue with Gators, which is in Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, until the end of his season.
Hovde was assistant coach at the Ivy League program for five seasons from 2012-16, including two seasons together with the current street’s head coach Todd Golden.
“We are pleased to welcome Kevin Hovde back to the Columbia family,” said the athletic director Peter Pilling in a news message. “Our goal for our men’s basketball program is to win the Ivy League Championship, and we believe he is the right person leading us there. Kevin has a passion for the game, is involved in student athletes development and has a strategic strategy for coaching and recruitment with a proven success.”
Hovde replaces Jim Engles, who resigned on March 10 after compiling a record of 71-150 for eight seasons.
Columbia started 11-1 this season before stumbled to a 1-13 conference record and a 12-15 finish.
Hoyde said he is happy to be on his way back to New York.
“Columbia is really a special place for my family and me, and we are happy to be back,” he said. “It is humble to have the opportunity to develop young men into leaders on and outside the court at one of the best universities in the world. I am anxious to come to work and build a program that our students and society can be proud of.
After his stint in Columbia, Hovde was assistant coach at San Francisco (2016-21) and his Alma Mater Richmond (2021-22) before joining Golden in Florida before the 2022-23 campaign. Golden was the head coach at San Francisco from 2019-22.
Hovde is the second Florida assistant coach who lands a head training job this month. Campbell hired John Andrzejek last week.
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