By The Florida Times-Union
University of Florida men basketball coach Billy Donovan is expected to bolt the school for a lucrative offer from the NBA Orlando Magic, according to multiple national media reports.
Donovan, fresh off leading the Gators to their second consecutive NCAA championship, reportedly was close to signing a contract extension with Florida that would pay him $2.5 million per year.
But the Magic swooped in late Wednesday night with an offer of $6 million per year that swayed Donovan to replace the fired Brian Hill, The Orlando Sentinel and ESPN.com reported.
CBS SportsLine reported that Donovan was "a lock" to take the Magic's offer.
Florida officials were unavailable for comment Thursday afternoon. Magic officials didn return phone calls seeking comment.
The timing couldn be worse for the Gators if Donovan accepts the offer. Most of the top candidates already have accepted jobs elsewhere, and whoever was hired would face a major rebuilding job after Florida lost all five starters from its back-to-back championship teams to graduation or the NBA Draft.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/053107/spo_173990930.shtml
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32 comments:
Say it ain't so, Billy!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Why?????? Is it really about the money?
You are as bad as Spurrier...Urban's our only remaining hero!
Foley and Machen,
You have 6 million Gator fans worldwide who would have donated $1 per year to pay Donovan to stay...
Wow, until Sports Center lead with this story I wasn't sure...but now i am in mourning...so much for naming the court after "him"
This is the second saddest day in UF history after the Danny Rollins murders in the 1990's
We are all grieving together now
Tear, tear
Stay together Gator fans and we will stay strong...
Didnt Spurrier ditch us last minute just like this?
Worst day of my life
Does Florida have a coaching problem? We just can't keep 'em...something's got to be done!!!
I have gas and Billy is a traitor
$6MM versus $3.5MM
What would Jesus Do?
Stay, cause money isn't everything!
Be true to yourself, your faith and Gator Fans
$6MM versus $3.5MM
What would Jesus Do?
Stay, cause money isn't everything!
Be true to yourself, your faith and Gator Fans
How 'bout a candle light vigil in Gainesville?
The pressure's on Foley and Machen...it's their "bad"
I'm in DC and my friends and I are gathering to watch Sports Center late edition and cry together...
Sniffle, sniffle
Here comes the tickel
Billy Ball no more
Orlando Magic, on the floor
Wow, without this site where would all the Gator fans complain?!?
He'll do a good job in the NBA and locationally, he's so close. But allegiance wise, he's so far away.
www.BillyDtheTraitor.com
After Spurrier, I thought we'd never suffer heartbreak. I guess Ohio State does have the last laugh
What about all those media types who said Billy wasnt going anywhere...we ALL have egg on our faces!!!
Say it ain't so, Joe!
Dear KeepBillyDonovan.com creator,
You couldn't have done anything more, except for maybe force Billy to sign with Florida. Billy wanted it to happen and so it did.
Benedict Arnold!!!
Wow, I just heard....still in shock!!!!
worst day in my young life...im only 12!
What's next, Urban leaves? Someone should start KeepUrbanMeyer.com!
What a crazy afternoon...and it all happened so fast!!!!!
Please change your mind, Billy!
I like your unexpected exit!
Regards,
Steve Spurrier
Kiss Jai Lucas goodbye.....
Billy put florida b-ball on the map, if anything, you owe him, not vice versa
Congrats to Billy D..... now UF can go after Stan Van Gundy.... It would be a perfect fit. UF gets a stud coach and Van Gundy gets to live a more relaxed family life in a great family atmosphere and play far less games than a long NBA season. Stan Van to UF , lets see it happen. Go Gators!
hey gators fans, youve got 2 national championships. grow up.
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