Breaking News: Fla.'s Donovan to NBA?
Posted: Thu May 31, 2007 3:34 pmPaper: Billy Donovan Expected to Leave Florida for Magic
Posted May 31st 2007 3:02PM by Michael David Smith
As long as Billy Donovan is the head basketball coach at Florida, we'll hear rumors that he's on the verge of leaving. But this one seems to have advanced past the rumor stage: The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Donovan is likely to leave the Gators to coach the Orlando Magic.
Donovan is expected to become the next coach of the Orlando Magic after he was presented with a substantial contract offer, officials with the NBA team told the Orlando Sentinel.... Two league sources had told the Sentinel on Tuesday that the Magic had been in contact with Donovan's agent, Lonnie Cooper. When asked about the job Wednesday, though, Donovan said he had not spoken with the Magic.
The University of Florida had been making plans to announce Donovan's contract extension next week. On Wednesday night, though, the Magic made a firm offer to Donovan.
The departure of the 42-year-old Donovan, the brightest young star in the coaching business, would be a devastating loss for the two-time defending national champion Gators. In Orlando, Donovan would replace Brian Hill, who was fired last week.
UPDATE: ESPN's Pat Forde reports that the contract offer is for six years at $6 million a year. Chris Broussard just reported on ESPNews that "there's a good chance" Donovan will take the job.
UPDATE 2: ESPN's Andy Katz reports that Donovan has not decided whether to accept the Magic's offer, but that a decision should be made by tomorrow.
UPDATE 3: When asked yesterday about rumors he could leave Florida, Donovan told the Gainesville Sun, "I'm not commenting on sources. I'm not going down that road. That's why I don't want to comment because I know nothing (about it). Anybody can say anything."
Posted May 31st 2007 3:02PM by Michael David Smith
As long as Billy Donovan is the head basketball coach at Florida, we'll hear rumors that he's on the verge of leaving. But this one seems to have advanced past the rumor stage: The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Donovan is likely to leave the Gators to coach the Orlando Magic.
Donovan is expected to become the next coach of the Orlando Magic after he was presented with a substantial contract offer, officials with the NBA team told the Orlando Sentinel.... Two league sources had told the Sentinel on Tuesday that the Magic had been in contact with Donovan's agent, Lonnie Cooper. When asked about the job Wednesday, though, Donovan said he had not spoken with the Magic.
The University of Florida had been making plans to announce Donovan's contract extension next week. On Wednesday night, though, the Magic made a firm offer to Donovan.
The departure of the 42-year-old Donovan, the brightest young star in the coaching business, would be a devastating loss for the two-time defending national champion Gators. In Orlando, Donovan would replace Brian Hill, who was fired last week.
UPDATE: ESPN's Pat Forde reports that the contract offer is for six years at $6 million a year. Chris Broussard just reported on ESPNews that "there's a good chance" Donovan will take the job.
UPDATE 2: ESPN's Andy Katz reports that Donovan has not decided whether to accept the Magic's offer, but that a decision should be made by tomorrow.
UPDATE 3: When asked yesterday about rumors he could leave Florida, Donovan told the Gainesville Sun, "I'm not commenting on sources. I'm not going down that road. That's why I don't want to comment because I know nothing (about it). Anybody can say anything."
