Columbia’s Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Physical Education Peter Pilling has announced the hiring of Kevin Hovde as the head coach of the men’s basketball team. Hovde has been an assistant coach at the University of Florida for three years and helped the Gators reach the Sweet 16 on Sunday. He served on Kyle Smith’s staff at Columbia from 2011-16 and becomes the 24th head coach in program history.
Hovde will continue his role with the Gators until the completion of their season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin Hovde back to the Columbia family,” said Pilling. “Our goal for our men’s basketball program is to win Ivy League Championships, and we believe he is the right person to lead us there. Kevin has a passion for the game, is committed to student-athlete development, and has a strategic approach to coaching and recruiting with a proven track record of success.”
Hovde has worked alongside another former Columbia assistant, Todd Golden, for nine seasons between their time at Florida and the University of San Francisco. UF went to the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons and won the 2025 SEC Tournament Championship before its run in the Big Dance.
“I am honored to be named head coach of Columbia men’s basketball,” said Hovde. “Columbia is truly a special place for my family and me, and we are thrilled to be back. It’s humbling to have the opportunity to develop young men into leaders on and off the court at one of the top universities in the world. I am eager to get to work and build a program our alumni and community can be proud of. Our team will focus on having a consistent approach and an unrelenting competitive spirit as we strive for success in the Ivy League and beyond.”
Hovde came to Florida after spending the 2021-22 season at his alma mater, Richmond, under the direction of his former head coach Chris Mooney. While there, he helped the Spiders to the second round of the NCAA Tournament following an Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship.
Hovde was on the USF staff for five years, initially joining Smith with the Dons, and was promoted to the team’s associate coach on Golden’s staff from 2019 to 2021. He helped the Dons to a 22-12 record in 2019-20 and a win over fourth-ranked Virginia on November 27, 2020 – the program’s first win over a top-five opponent in 39 years. From 2016-17 to 2018-19, the Dons posted three consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in over 35 years.
During his time at Columbia, he joined the program as the director of basketball operations in 2011 and was promoted to assistant coach the following season. In 2015-16, his final season at Columbia, the Lions finished 25-10, setting a school record for wins and winning the postseason CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
Hovde played at Richmond from 2006-11. Arriving as a walk-on, Hovde earned a scholarship after his first year and played in 99 games during his career, including 10 starts. He appeared in 99 games over four seasons, scoring 195 total points. As a senior in 2011, the Spiders won the Atlantic 10 and advanced to the NCAA’s Sweet 16.
Hovde met his wife Jackie while at Columbia. She graduated from Columbia in 2009 and was a two-sport letterwinner in field hockey and basketball. They have two daughters, Lyla and Penny.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT HOVDE
“I am thrilled that Kevin will be the next head coach at Columbia. Kevin played a big role in our success during our time together at Columbia and USF, especially when it came to our development offensively. He was instrumental in recruiting Maodo Lo, Grant Mullins, Alex Rosenberg, Isaac Cohen, and Luke Petrasek, who helped us win the
CIT in 2016.
Kevin is a great teacher and recruiter in the college game. Look no further than the rise of Florida basketball as evidence. He believes in character development and will not compromise his program for the sake of the individual.”
Kyle Smith
Head Coach Stanford University
Former Columbia University Head Coach (2010-16)
“Columbia is getting a fantastic coach and an even better person in Kevin Hovde. He has one of the best offensive minds in all of college basketball and is a great teacher of the game. I’m so happy for Kevin, his wife Jackie and their girls as they return to a place they have both called home before. This is an opportunity he deserves, and he will do a fantastic job leading the Columbia men’s basketball program.”
Todd Golden
Head Coach University of Florida
Former Columbia Assistant Coach (2012-14)
“Kevin is an outstanding coach who has achieved tremendous success at every stop during his basketball career. 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”
Chris Mooney
Head Coach University of Richmond
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