Women’s basketball head coach Cameron Newbauer was hired by the University of Florida Monday afternoon and will not be returning to Belmont next season.
“I want to thank Cam for an unforgettable four years at Belmont,” Belmont Director of Athletics Scott Corley said in a statement. “Cam’s record on the court speaks for itself, but his enthusiasm and genuine care for our university made lasting impacts. Few live out Belmont’s mission of service and discipleship more than Cam, and we appreciate his vast contributions to our student-athletes and campus community.”
During his four seasons at Belmont, Newbauer went 79-50 and took the Bruins to the NCAA women’s basketball tournament two years in a row.
Junior forward Kylee Smith said the team is sad to see him go but is also excited for him to start in Florida.
“What Coach Cam has built here at Belmont is nothing less than incredible. Knowing him since eighth grade and then being a part of what he has built here the last three years leaves me with full confidence that he will do great things at Florida,” Smith said. “We are sad to see him leave. However, he has always pushed my teammates and I to chase our dreams, so how can we not be excited for him to chase his? His family will always hold a special place in my heart.”
The team would miss Newbauer’s dedication, said Team Manager Aspen Weathers.
“Everybody really appreciates the time and dedication he gave to this program and the way that he built its reputation up,” said Weathers. “Belmont women’s basketball has come to be held to a high standard in recent years, and that’s due in part to his great recruiting and how he focuses on the girls as a team.”
Newbauer will be the first male head coach in the history of the Gators women’s basketball team.
“It’s the University of Florida, that’s the excitement for me,” Newbauer said in a press release Monday. “A national brand. One of the most revered athletic programs in the nation.”
Newbauer, or “Coach Cam,” signed a five-year contract and will replace Amanda Butler after her 10 seasons at Florida.
Newbauer will be introduced as Florida’s head coach at a news conference Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
This article was written by Zach Gilchriest and Jessica King. Photo by Hunter Morgan.