Florida releases head coach Amanda Butler

Release from Florida:

After 10 years University of Florida women’s basketball coach Amanda Butler will not return next season, athletics director Scott Stricklin announced Monday.

“Amanda obviously loves the University of Florida. She worked tirelessly trying to grow this program and help it achieve consistent success, and her efforts will always be appreciated,” Stricklin said. “These decisions are always difficult, and more so in this instance because of the person Amanda is and how well she is liked throughout our department.

“We will immediately begin the process of finding a new women’s basketball coach. I believe this program has the resources and support to achieve sustained success and compete for championships.”

“I appreciate the opportunity that was given to me as a young head coach to return to my alma mater, a place I love and where I developed many special relationships and memories,” Butler said. “The future is bright for the program.”

In her 10 years at UF, Butler’s teams accumulated a record of 190-137 (0.581) and 71-85 (0.455) in Southeastern Conference action. Under Butler, Florida earned four NCAA Tournament bids, advancing to the NCAA Second Round in 2009, 2012 and 2014. The highest finish in SEC play for UF in the last 10 years was a tie for fourth in 2008-09 and 2015-16.

Butler accepted Florida’s position April 14, 2007. She came to UF after serving as head coach at Charlotte for two seasons, leading the 49ers to a co-Atlantic-10 Conference championship in 2005-06 and a pair of WNIT berths.

A four-year starter for the Gators from 1990-94, Butler earned her bachelor’s degree from UF in 1995 and her master’s in 1997.