White has "no interest at all" in Ole Miss job
Florida coach Mike White says he is very happy in Gainesville and isn't interested in the Ole Miss job following Andy Kennedy's announced departure after the season.

With the news that this season will be Andy Kennedy's last as a head coach at Ole Miss, Florida coach Mike White knew the questions were coming.

An assistant coach for five years with the Rebels under Kennedy, White's name has already emerged as a speculative option for the Rebels should they attempt to pursue him. White is an Ole Miss alumnus and led the Rebels to their first NCAA Tournament victory in school history before spending seven seasons in Oxford as an assistant coach.

"I have no interest, no interest at all," White said. "I love Ole Miss, my wife loves Ole Miss. It's a great place, great people. Oxford's an awesome town. Ole Miss has been really, really good to me. But we are so fortunate to be here at Florida. It's one of the best jobs in the country and I'm not interested in any other job."

But there was definitely some emotion for White as he discussed what Kennedy meant to the program at Ole Miss.

In fact, White's career might have been at a bit of a crossroads if not for Kennedy.

"He's obviously been really good to me. He retained me there," White said. "I was out of a job in Oxford. I was working for coach (Rod) Barnes and we were let go. And he retained me and gave me the opportunity. I learned a lot from him. He had a great run."

Kennedy was the 2007 SEC Coach of the Year and will finish his 12-year tenure at Ole Miss as the winningest coach in school history.

White had nothing but positive things to say about the man he has long considered one of his mentors.

"He had a hell of a run. He had a great run," White said. "Ever since I think his first year at Ole Miss, he was the SEC Coach of the Year and won the SEC West title. He's been really, really consistent year-in and year-out, he's attracted good talent.

"I'm sure he'll coach again and be a great success somewhere else as well."

SOURCE:  Goldkamp, Thomas.  "White has "no interest at all" in Ole Miss job."  247 Sports, 13 February 2018,  https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/Florida-Gators-Basketball-Mike-White-has-no-interest-at-all-in-Ole-Miss-job-115084737.