Nebraska made the hire of former Florida associate coach Armon Gates official in a carefully crafted press release on Monday.
Here’s what Gates had to say about his brief tenure at Florida in his press release statement:
“I really enjoyed my brief time at Florida,” Gates said. “Coach Mike White and his staff are tremendous people and great friends. Last week, I consulted Coach White about approaching Tim Miles regarding the Nebraska coaching position. After visiting Lincoln and the campus, it became clear to me Nebraska was a great fit. I’m greatly appreciative of Florida and Coach White for the opportunity be part of Gator Nation. I am really looking forward to a new beginning at Nebraska.”
Later, in his introductory press conference at Nebraska, Gates said he wasn’t terminated by Florida and had approached White about joining Tim Miles’ staff at Nebraska after the evaluation period in Dallas in mid-April. Gates, of course, had ties with the Big Ten in coming to Florida from Northwestern.
“Coach Miles rubbed off on me the right way,” Gates said.
According to multiple sources, however, it was White who initiated Gates’ departure and both mutually agreed Nebraska would serve as a good landing spot. Gates said he encouraged Miles to speak with White before hiring him.
“Mike was just honest,” Miles said. “He said, I understand. I know what I need, I know what Armon needs.”
A full video of Gates’ introductory press conference can be seen here. There were some nervous smiles when Gates was asked questions about Florida, but to his credit, he addressed them.
“We’re happy for Armon,” White said. “We wish he and Coach Miles the best at Nebraska.”
Other notes:
Florida junior guard Jalen Hudson was one of a handful of pre-draft players who took part in a private workout with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
“For me, it was trying to show a little bit of everything, just competing,” Hudson said in a video interview with Lakers.com. “I did take and make some tough shots today. I feel like I want to show everybody I can do more. I’m not known as just a shooter but I feel like I can do more, coming off ball screens, shooting, creating. I did that today as well.”
Hudson, it turns out, is not on the official NBA Draft Combine List but could still wind up taking part in the event as an alternate. The 6-foot-6 Hudson, who led Florida in scoring at 15.5 ppg this past season, has until June 11 to decide whether to return for his senior year.
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