Former Florida men's basketball coach Tommy Bartlett, who led the Gators to 21 wins in his first season, died Wednesday in Chattanooga, Tenn. He was 88 years old.
Bartlett's career record at Florida was 95-85 in seven seasons. But Bartlett had initial success in 1966-67 in taking over for Norm Sloan. Led by standout center and future NBA overall number two pick Neal Walk, the Gators went 21-4. Bartlett's 1968-69 UF squad went 18-9 and reached the NIT for the first time in school history, falling to Temple in Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“He had a very significant positive impact on Florida basketball,” said former Gator basketball player and Gator basketball historian Bill Koss.