Kevin Hovde Returns to Columbia as Head Men's Basketball Coach

The former Florida assistant and Columbia alumnus takes over after the Lions' mixed 2024-25 season and departure of Jim Engles.

Kevin Hovde, formerly an assistant at Florida, has been named Columbia University's new head men's basketball coach.
Hovde previously spent five seasons at Columbia, contributing to the team's 25-10 record and CollegeInsider.com Tournament victory in 2015-16.
Columbia's 2024-25 season featured a record-breaking non-conference start but significant struggles in Ivy League play due to injuries, leading to Jim Engles' departure as head coach.
Hovde has been with Florida since 2022, helping the Gators secure a No. 1 seed in this year's NCAA Tournament and reach the Sweet 16.
Hovde's personal ties to Columbia include meeting his wife Jackie, a former two-sport athlete at the university, during his earlier tenure there.