Donovan could get Magic call

By TIM SULLIVAN
Special to The Sun (from GatorSports.com)
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20070524/GATORS02/705240366/Donovan_could_get_Magic_call

NEW YORK - He's had talks with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Orlando Magic could be next.But if Florida coach Billy Donovan is truly interested in an NBA opening, well, he's about as tough to crack these days as his pressure defense.Donovan, here Wednesday to accept the prestigious New York Athletic Club's Winged Foot award along with Tennessee women's coach Pat Summitt, spoke with conviction and sincerity as he addressed his future following back-to-back NCAA titles in Gainesville.He acknowledged that he spoke with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley recently, but made clear the meeting was "not about the job." He also exchanged the common pleasantries with the media about being back in his hometown, about returning for the NBA Draft next month, and about how important an area this is to recruit.But the focus, clearly, was on Florida and the program's next step, be it with him or anyone else. He gave a distinct update on his contract negotiations with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley ... making sure the door was left open."We've sat down, we've talked," Donovan said. "I kind of know where things are at and I feel good about it. People think I'm trying to hold things up, but I'm fine. I'm ready to move forward. Whenever they tell me (the contract) is finalized, I'm fine."Donovan, also romanced by Kentucky following the Gators' 84-75 victory over Ohio State in the national title game April 2, has two years remaining on a deal that pays $1.7 million annually. He has taken Florida to three Final Fours and nine consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances."I'd like to get it done," Donovan said of the deal. "It's not me. I would have liked to have done it a couple of days after (the season.)"The potential fly in the ointment, however, is the Magic opening, created when Orlando and Brian Hill negotiated an exit deal Wednesday. Hill, in his second stint with the Magic, went 40-42 this season and lost to Detroit in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Donovan has said in the past NBA coaching has "intrigued" him because it's strictly basketball.Donovan, most likely, would have to compete with some available NBA heavyweights for that job - Larry Brown, Paul Silas, Stan Van Gundy and Rick Carlisle, among them - but he'd clearly be near the top of Orlando's list. Shortly after Hill was let go, Donovan, at one point, led an orlandosentinel.com poll of 10 candidates to become the Magic's next coach, receiving 34.1 percent of the votes.In the interim, though - perhaps sending an unintentional intentional message to Foley - it's all about the Gators."Really," Donovan said, "it's in their hands right now."Foley did not return a phone call Wednesday night.Last week, Foley denied a report that the school and Donovan were closing in on a seven-year extension worth $3.5 million. Any deal must be approved by the University Athletic Association's compensation committee.Though Donovan has repeatedly assured he expects a deal to get done soon, fan anxiety is growing. A Florida alumnus recently created a Web site, KeepBillyDonovan.com, to track the daily speculation surrounding Donovan's future.