Amanda Butler is to be formally introduced as the new head coach of the Florida Gators women’s basketball team at a press conference on Tuesday, April 17, 2007. Butler, a former Gator player, was officially hired by the university on Thursday, April 12, and the announcement was made public on Friday, April 13, but the official introductory press conference was held off until tomorrow because Butler was off recruiting this weekend. Talk about hitting the ground running…

The Gainesville Sun is reporting that Butler will bring her entire staff with her from UNC-Charlotte. Her assistants at UNC-C were David Lowery, Janna Magette and Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick. In addition, The Gainesville Sun is also reporting that Butler has a surprise up her sleeve: she will bring in Susie Gardner as one of her top assistants. Gardner resigned from the University of Arkansas on March 2 after serving as the head coach of the Lady Razorbacks for 4 years. Prior to her stint at Arkansas, Gardner was the head coach at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN.  Her recruiting assistant while at APSU?  None other than Amanda Butler, her new boss. If this rumor proves true, Butler is making a very smart strategic move. Butler has not coached in the SEC since her days as an assistant under Carol Ross at Florida from 1995 to 1997. Gardner can give her invaluable information regarding her return to SEC competition. In addition, they have four years experience coaching together, so this looks to be a good addition to her staff.

Just what type of shuffling will occur among the new staff remains to be seen. Lowery, a 2000 Mississippi State grad, served as a practice player and then grad assistant for coach Sharon Fanning at MSU before assistant coaching at Davidson for four seasons. He then joined Butler’s staff at UNC-C when she became head coach two years ago. Magette, a 2002 graduate of Davidson, where she was a four-year standout and All-Southern Conference player, had joined the UNC-C staff while Katie Meier was still head coach and had continued in her capacity as assistant when Butler took over the program. Magette’s work with the 49ers included recruiting, working with the guards, camps and team community relations. Before UNC-C, Magette had served as an assistant coach at Francis Marion University. Kirkpatrick also joined the 49ers staff when Butler took over as head coach, working primarily with the post players. A 2000 graduate of Wake Forest, she was Honorable Mention All-ACC, and then competed professionally in France for a season before joining the coaching ranks at Georgia Tech, followed by a year at Jacksonville University. Given Gardner’s experience in comparison to Butler’s existing staff, it would be feasible that Gardner will be the top assistant or possibly even associate coach. We’ll keep you posted as official announcements are made.