Gators assistant Larry Shyatt to take over at Wyoming after 7 seasons at UF
Thursday, March 31, 2011 | Men's Basketball, Soccer, Scott Carter
Gators men's basketball assistant coach Larry Shyatt is leaving UF after seven years to become head coach at Wyoming.
Wyoming announced Shyatt's hiring on Thursday afternoon. For Shyatt, this will be his second stint as Wyoming's head coach.
He coached the Cowboys to 19 victories in the 1997-98 campaign but left the job after just one year to take over at Clemson.
Shyatt joined Billy Donovan's staff at the start of the 2004-05 season and helped launch the most successful era in the program's history.
In Wyoming's official release, Shyatt said leaving UF was a difficult one.
"I've spent seven great years at the University of Florida helping to build a championship-caliber program, and this is one of the only places I would have considered leaving for,'' Wyatt said. "I'm excited about the commitment of the administration, and the passionate fan base I remember at Wyoming, and I can't wait to meet, work with and develop a great relationship with the current team.”
Gators head coach Billy Donovan now has a big hole to fill on his staff, but said he is grateful for Shyatt's contributions to the program. In Shyatt's seven seasons, the Gators posted a 191-63 record, the best in the SEC over that span.
"For me personally there's both an excitement and sadness,'' Donovan said. "Larry is one of my closest friends and his impact here at Florida over the last seven years has been immeasurable."
Check back with GatorZone.com later for a more in-depth look at Shyatt's impact at UF.
