Breaking News: Fla.'s Donovan to NBA?

[Water Pony]

Paper: 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."

[RGV Pony]

Well let's see here....

Pitino...how'd that work out?
Calipari...how'd that work out?
Montgomery...how'd that work out?
Carlisimo...how'd that work out?
Larry Brown...exception to the rule
Kruger...how'd that work out?

don't do it Billy!

[Pony_Fan]

Stupid.

yea, I wonder how Montgomery feels after leaving a great thing at Stanford. The smart ones have tenure and stay for a while. Dean Smith, Coach K, Tubby was for a while. Sure they move around but it's within the college ranks.

Aside from Larry Brown, what other coaches have been successful with the transition??

[FordtoTolbert]

He is doubling his salary...Orlando is a GOOD job, versus some of the others sighted...just down the street from home, less dramatic family disruption....if his NBA gig does not work, he would then simply be the most highly recruited college bball caoch in history....Calaipari says his short lived NBA gig set him and his family up for life and has made him a more successful college coach.....I say, way to go Billy!!

[Pony_Fan]

More power to him if it works. Why is Orlando a good job? Every since Shaq left they have sucked.

[Water Pony]

Helps explain why he turned Kentucky down.

Wait three years and he can have the best job available along with an annuity for life thanks to the NBA.

Remember, many of his starters on the National Championship team are leaving. Timing is good for him, but he will be back. Coaching in the pro's is lucrative, but short lived.

[FordtoTolbert]

one reason...dwight howard is going to be / is a super star...

[mavsrage311]

I was about to say the same thing...all those people that failed didn't have Dwight Howard. It'd be easy to sit around dominate college basketball, but good for Donovan, he wants a challenge (the dollars dont hurt either, do they?)

one reason...dwight howard is going to be / is a super star...

[EastStang]

With Dwight Howard (if he stays) Donovan has a legitimate center to build around. Orlando is a solid team who should make some noise in the next few years. A great opportunity. Now the bigger question is what will be the trickle down effect of this hire? Gillespie has gone to Kentucky. Arkansas finally found a coach. Marshall already scooped up one of Donovan's assistants. Who will Florida pursue?

[Pony_Fan]

Terrible timing for Florida, that's for sure.

[mrydel]

Terrible timing for Florida, that's for sure.

Yeah. I feel sorry for them. Guess they can hold off on expanding their trophy case.

[George S. Patton]

ESPN's Andy Katz thought two names to consider were former Florida assistant Anthony Grant at VCU -- they beat Duke and took Pitt to OT in the tournament -- and Villanova coach Jay Wright.

[PonyFan]

Now he wants to go back to UF. Guess all those millions and Dwight Howard can't replace the chance to coach Jai Lucas?

I understand he had a tremendous set-up in Gainesville, and it's understandable that he's feeling nostalgic. But just like the coach who bolts a contract for a more lucrative offer, Gillespie should grin and bear it and try to get by on the $5 million-plus per year the Magic offered him.

[Pony_Fan]

Well, I called Billy and told him not to do it. I guess he listened to my advice