Goodbye, Billy Donovan.

[rep the dems]

At a time when all my Philly teams were disappointing me again, you and the Gators made me proud to be a Florida fan. And although it's hard to see you go, I know that coaching in the NBA is a big step and you should be very proud. I'm happy for you... :cry:

In seriousness though :yourock: Thanks for the good times.

[bamacrat]

1. I think he should have stayed..

they would have name everything basketball related after him, but the NBA has more money and more glamor. Im sure hell do fine.

[Awsi Dooger]

2. He'll flop unless he gets great players

The college coaches never learn. He could have stayed 15-25 more years and been a college legend. Now he'll find mediocrity and be exposed and all but forgotten.

It will be interesting to see if Urban Meyer makes the same blunder.

[northzax]

3. wjat do you figure, two years, max?

the college and nba games are so completely different. even Coach K was smart enough to turn down Jerry Buss' 'fuck you' money a couple of years back. in college, you build the team in your image, you pick the players, you control their lives, all day, every day, for several years. in the pros, you can only influence, you aren't some father figure/god type like at Florida, now you aren't even the highest paid, or best known, person on the team.

I don't mean to demean either skill set, both are incredibly difficult to do well, and take talent and experience and hard work. but switching between the two is insanely hard, and you don't get to spend a year figuring it out, not at $5.5 million per.

[Awsi Dooger]

4. Sounds about right

As a Canes fan I'm happy he left Florida. Let's get that out of the way first. But I'm amazed by it after so many examples, like Pitino and Calipari and Montgomery and Floyd and Kruger. Heck, even Leonard Hamilton who had the Miami program on the upswing before leaving the Wizards and being canned after one season. You can also throw in Tarkanian who lasted what, maybe 20 games?

It's a mistake in football, but I can almost understand it. The Super Bowl is the most famous American sporting event and there is a full month of unmatched public attention after the college season ends. College football recruiting is a hassle trying to fill 25 or 30 spots every year. But in college basketball you only have to find a few new players every year. They commit early. It can be argued the postseason is more high profile and glamorous than the NBA playoffs, which share time with the middle of baseball season.

As much as I don't like Florida, I applaud how loyal and rabid their fan base is. Donovan had a chance be remembered as someone who transitioned a school from mediocrity to long term greatness, completely changing the way that school is thought of in regard to basketball. It almost reminds me of Howard Schnellenberger bolting Miami early after one title. Just look at all the titles and legend opportunity he left behind. You can't tell me there aren't regrets.

[Scurrilous]

5. Report: Donovan eyes return to Gators

<snip>

"Billy Donovan might not be done with the Florida Gators after all. FoxSports.com, citing two anonymous sources, reported Sunday night that Donovan was having second thoughts about coaching the NBA's Orlando Magic and attempting to return to Gainesville.

Donovan agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Magic on Thursday, but FoxSports.com reported that he has approached both sides about getting out of the deal. He has yet to sign the contract with the NBA team.

According to one of the sources, the Magic forced Donovan to make a rash decision."

http://www.miamiherald.com/605/story/127788.html

[Scurrilous]

6. Orlando Magic will allow Billy Donovan to return to Florida

<snip>

"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."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/orl-bk-billydonovan060307,1,6930814.story?coll=chi-sportstop-hed

[Captain Hilts]

7. Someone told him that Orlando is not near the ocean. Crowded. Humid. nt

[Scurrilous]

8. Someone reminded him that Orlando...

...plays in the same conference as LeBron James and that LeBron is only 22 years old.

Run away!