Timmypg Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Donovan is leaving the Gators for the NBA. The money hasn't been announced yet but it has to be a large sum. It also hasn't been announced who will replace Donovan at Florida. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2888555 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigrocks Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I wonder if the talking heads at ESPN will flog Donovan now as much as they did Nick Saban a few months ago?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmypg Posted May 31, 2007 Author Share Posted May 31, 2007 Probably not. If I'm not mistaken Donovan never said he wouldn't/wasn't leaving like Saban did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxfactor Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 Local media here said it is thought to be a 4 or 5 year contract worth 6 mil a year. Florida was going to offer him a 3.5 mil per year contract but really dragged their feet. Way to go Gators! Back to mediocrity. He'll find out just like his mentor Petino that the NBA is a completely different animal. Have no idea who they'll hire now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 It is now obvious in hindsight we need a divided gov't. We cannot allow the dems to gain the whitehouse and control both houses of congress. I think NO ONE here could want that. I would hope wholeheartedly some more I and L candidates can get elected in the house and senate as well. I know billy is getting a whole lot more money and I assume that given the competitive nature of some, he looks upon the NBA as a new challenge to be conquered, but-- I don't think I would ever leave if I was in his shoes. I could live very comfortably on $3,000,000 per year. I love the college atmosphere and college sport in general and the challenge of creating a program that is consistently mentioned with the great programs in college sports would be my goal and hopefully my legacy. And I feel bad for the kids who have committed to Florida with the belief that billy was going to be their coach. Of course, I have an admitted bias toward college sports in general and the Gators specifically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Oven Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 I could live very comfortably on $3,000,000 per year. I love the college atmosphere and college sport in general and the challenge of creating a program that is consistently mentioned with the great programs in college sports would be my goal and hopefully my legacy. And I feel bad for the kids who have committed to Florida with the belief that billy was going to be their coach. Totally agree with point one. As to the second, I feel bad for them as well, but at least they can leave with no repercussions. I thought about totally bagging Donovan for this move, since it seems like all college coaches fail in the NBA, but Larry Brown has done well for himself and Donovan is going to a decent situation so I suppose I will reserve judgment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godtomsatan Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 Local media here said it is thought to be a 4 or 5 year contract worth 6 mil a year. Florida was going to offer him a 3.5 mil per year contract but really dragged their feet. Way to go Gators! Back to mediocrity. You are coming off back-to-back national championships and you're smashing your head at the prospects of mediocrity? No wonder he left.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclones Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 I guess we know why he turned Kentucky down now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat2334 Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 good move for him- most of the top, younger college coaches want to give the NBA, and the big $$$ a shot. Chit, he is young enough, he could flame out in the NBA, and finish his career out at the college level, as a worst-case scenario. Plus, he gets away from all the BS that comes along with being a college coach...... babysitting, recruiting and all the crap they have to deal with. Now, he can just focus on coaching the best players on the planet with no distractions.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wirehairman Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 Plus, he gets away from all the BS that comes along with being a college coach...... babysitting, recruiting and all the crap they have to deal with. Now, he can just focus on coaching the best players on the planet with no distractions.......... You don't think the antics of today's NBA players are a distraction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat2334 Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 You don't think the antics of today's NBA players are a distraction? overall- sure. The coaches responsibility- negative. That falls on the GM, Agents, Handlers, PR peeps and the posse's. Way more non-basketball related chit the college coaches have to deal with- hence the reason why many of them prefer the NBA. Alot of these guys are pretty damn professional- and the days of teams even drafting, trading for the eff ups, are kind of long gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxfactor Posted June 3, 2007 Share Posted June 3, 2007 You are coming off back-to-back national championships and you're smashing your head at the prospects of mediocrity? No wonder he left.... Did you ever hear of Florida basketball BEFORE Donovan? Methinks not. I rest my case. I'm not bitter, just a little disappointed. He wants a new challenge, so be it. If it was all about the money, he would have jumped on the Kentucky offer. What challenge is that? Kentucky throws most of their $ at the bb program and recruiting would be a piece of cake. Family-wise, he wanted to stay in Gainesville, but Orlando is pretty close and the challenge of coaching an NBA team after leading a bad to mediocre college team to the promised land twice was just too enticing. I wish him well. And who knows? Maybe the next gator coach keeps the program high profile. I should not have been so quick to post my last statement. Perhaps it was just the shock of hearing the news at first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Ryan Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Orlando reminds me of Phoenix before Nash got there. Talented, but no real leader. Donovan should make Orlando a top 4 team in the East immediately. Add a backcourt and this team will be loaded. Easier said than done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6883162 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Orlando Magic will allow Billy Donovan to return to Florida Dave Curtis and Lynn Hoppes | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted June 4, 2007, 2:19 AM EDT The Orlando Magic today will allow Billy Donovan out of his 5-year, $27.5 million contract that he signed on Friday. "It's over," said a source close to the situation. Donovan had reservations about leaving the Florida Gators for the NBA on Friday and spent all weekend trying to find a way to get out of his contract. On Saturday, Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith went to Gainesville to try to convince Donovan to honor the deal. Smith talked with Donovan again on Sunday, and so did Magic President Bob Vander Weide. Unless Donovan wakes up today and changes his mind, the Magic will let him go, the source said. Almost everyone at Florida, from people on his staff to other NBA coaches to even his wife, told Donovan to go to the Magic -- but after Friday's emotional news conference in Gainesville, he started thinking he might have made a mistake. That was the first time he even mentioned there being a problem. The Sentinel visited Donovan's house early this morning, and UF assistant basketball coach Larry Shyatt answered the door. He said Donovan would not comment. "You guys can't talk to him now," Shyatt said. Messages left with UF Athletic Director Jeremy Foley on Sunday were not returned. UF spokesman Fred Demarest said Sunday night that the school would have no comment. Messages left for Magic officials -- Chief Operating Officer Alex Martins and General Manager Otis Smith -- were not returned. Donovan was hired as Magic head coach Thursday and introduced in his new job Friday, the end of a weeklong Magic courtship. Donovan appeared confident in his decision in news conferences in Gainesville and in Orlando, but things changed. Foley flew to Richmond, Va., on Saturday to interview Anthony Grant, the Virginia Commonwealth University coach. Grant is a former Gators assistant and the leading candidate to replace Donovan. But that meeting never happened -- Foley flew away from Richmond after learning of Donovan's second thoughts before the athletic director even left the airport's grounds. That's when the Magic's Smith leaped into action. He went up to Gainesville to try to convince Donovan he was making the right decision. But Donovan still was waffling. That's why Grant, who was the front-runner and was looking to make $6 million over 5 years at Florida, issued a statement Sunday night saying he has had no in-person contact with UF officials and hasn't received an offer to be Florida's head coach. "I have been contacted by the University of Florida regarding their coaching vacancy," the statement said. "I have not had any in-person contact with any Florida representative, nor have I been offered the job. "At this point in time, I will have no further comment on this situation as my focus is on my responsibilities at VCU." Grant, who emerged Thursday as the top and seemingly lone candidate to replace Donovan, spoke with several Rams recruits and their coaches Thursday and Friday to prepare them for his possible departures. Donovan did not attend Florida's boys basketball camp, which started Sunday afternoon on campus. He was at home trying to find guidance on his future. Several members of his staff, including Shyatt, ran the camp. In his news conferences Friday, Donovan said Shyatt would join him with the Magic. In fact, Donovan talked with the Magic about Shyatt's new contract that afternoon. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, reached at home early this morning, said he had heard nothing about Donovan possibly backing out of the deal. After learning of the report from a Sentinel reporter, Dyer said he still had no comment. Nick Calathes and Chandler Parsons, high-profile recruits from Lake Howell High School who signed with the Gators, had communicated with each other late Sunday night but indicated they had not heard from UF's coaching staff. It's unclear whether the Magic will ask for a settlement to allow Donovan to break his contract. It's also unclear where the Magic will be turning to now, but the second choice behind Donovan had always been ex-Miami Heat coach Stan Van Gundy. Sarah Langbein of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Dave Curtis can be reached at dcurtis@orlandosentinel.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donutrun Jellies Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 It's unclear whether the Magic will ask for a settlement to allow Donovan to break his contract. Certainly, in this land of personal responsibility, there will be some consequence for this breach of contract -- though I bet there will be an argument over whether he actually signed the contract or whether they just announced he had even though he hadn't put pen to paper quite yet ... Wonder what the Florida boosters are giving him to stay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhayhurst Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Welcome Back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 what a dooosh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Like Soup Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 what a dooosh And one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxfactor Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 I'm as happy as a fly on a fresh hot steaming turd. I can see it now. When Florida goes on the road, the other team's concession stands will be surving up the special of the night: The Billy Donovan Waffle Cone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 welcome home, billy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinL Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 welcome home, billy. feels like he never left? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
untateve Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 feels like he never left? he never really did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowboutthemCowboys Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 I can see it now. When Florida goes on the road, the other team's concession stands will be surving up the special of the night: The Billy Donovan Waffle Cone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Like Soup Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 If I were Florida, I would've pigeonholed his salary, if I had re-hired him back in the first place. He obviously wants to stay in Florida and can't go to the NBA. He showed his true colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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