Associated Press
Thursday, June 7th, 2007
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida Gators fans are quickly piecing together their broken hearts after Billy Donovan announced he will return as coach and the Orlando Magic gave him permission to do so.
Donovan, who bolted from Florida to sign a five-year, $27.5 million contract Friday with the NBA's Magic, was released from the deal by the NBA team Wednesday night.
The coach won't have to crawl or beg to be taken back.
"I don't see how anyone can be upset with him here," said Florida student Chris Andrews, a 21-year-old senior marketing major. "He went for the money. He realized it was stupid. Now hopefully he'll be back winning championships where he belongs."
Wednesday brought little change on campus, as Gators awaited developments 100 miles south in Orlando. Florida officials, including athletic director Jeremy Foley, declined to comment until Donovan was released because of pending legal issues Donovan had with the Magic.
"Great news for the Gators," Foley told The Associated Press on Wednesday night.
A news conference announcing Donovan's return to Florida has been scheduled for Thursday morning.
The football-loving school has become basketball crazy in recent years -- in large part to Donovan, who built the program into a powerhouse, winning the last two national titles.
The school's bookstore, once overflowing with football gear, is now filled with basketball championship apparel. And football players now largely walk on campus in the shadow of the school's hardwood champions.
When Donovan returns, he will earn more than football coach Urban Meyer -- an unprecedented statement at Florida. Donovan was set to sign a seven-year deal worth approximately $3.5 million annually with Florida, a deal that was nearly finished when he agreed to coach the Magic. Meyer made $2 million last season plus incentives as he led his own team to the national title.
"For all that [Donovan's] done for the school, I think he's earned the right to do what he wants," said 19-year-old student Jennifer Gardener. "I trust he knows what he's doing."
The basketball complex was crawling with youngsters attending Donovan's basketball camp Wednesday. The only thing missing was Donovan, who has not spoken publicly since reports of him jilting the Magic surfaced.
But the respect for Donovan hasn't changed.
"We love him," said Ron Parker, who dropped off his son at the camp. "He's the reason this is such a big deal."
Although it might take a few years, or wins, for Donovan to earn back his credibility with everyone. Some were critical of his rash decision to bolt for the NBA.
"Don't get me wrong -- Donovan is the man, but I was disappointed when he left," said Matt Lavender, a 21-year-old Florida student. "He's going to have to earn his respect back."
Donovan has a 261-103 record in 11 seasons at Florida, and is the school's all-time leader in wins.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Monday, June 4, 2007
Another Internets Success Story (www.SI.com)
Another Internet Success Story
Written by Pete McEntegart
Monday, June 4th 2007
Even following the Billy Donovan saga dispassionately from afar is enough to give one whiplash. When you're the guy who started the Web site KeepBillyDonovan.com, the he's-staying-he's-going-he's-back! drama can affect nearly every area of your life, down to your wardrobe choices.
Last Friday, Fred Marks wore a black tie to his Tampa office, where the 24-year-old sells commercial real estate, because he was mourning the loss of the basketball coach of his beloved Gators to the deep-pocketed Magic of the NBA. "I was crushed," Marks tells SI.com. "People in the office were laughing at me, but I told them this was a really serious event. It was something that was going to change Florida basketball for the next decade."
Now that Donovan is apparently reversing course and returning to Gainesville, though, Marks will break out his special Gator tie tomorrow in celebration. "I'm shocked," he says. "I'm just amazed that he's staying."
Marks, a third-generation Gator who roomed in college with offensive tackle Max Starks (now of the Steelers), certainly did his part. He launched his Web site the day before Florida beat Ohio State this April for its second straight NCAA title, originally hoping to keep Billy the Kid from taking the Kentucky job. The goal was to convince the Gator nation -- especially well-heeled boosters -- to rally behind their coach. Marks posted the phone number of the Florida athletic office and urged Gator fans to call in to stress how much they wanted the school to pony up whatever it might take to keep Donovan around.
Gator fans withstood the relatively brief Kentucky scare, but last Thursday Donovan appeared gone when he reportedly agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million deal with the Magic. A dismayed Marks transformed his site into one of "mourning and grieving." He even considered posting a sign outside Donovan's exclusive gated community reading, "Please Don't Do It, Billy," but decided against it.
"I just thought, What can I do to change Billy's mind?" Marks said. "I'm just one person. What's a 99-cent poster going to do vs. $27 million?"
It wouldn't have been an unprecedented move for Marks. After the 2001 season, when it became clear that Florida football coach Steve Spurrier was leaving the Gators for the NFL but before he took the Redskins job, Marks posted a sign outside Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver's home that said: "Mr. Weaver, Please Sign Steve Spurrier." Marks hoped to at least keep Spurrier in the state.
Even without the sign this time, though, Marks was more successful in achieving his desired result. He hopes his site played at least some role in that. “Florida fans really used this Web site as a center of gravity,” he says. “It really helped give fans a voice.”
Full article available below:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/extramustard/10_spot/
Written by Pete McEntegart
Monday, June 4th 2007
Even following the Billy Donovan saga dispassionately from afar is enough to give one whiplash. When you're the guy who started the Web site KeepBillyDonovan.com, the he's-staying-he's-going-he's-back! drama can affect nearly every area of your life, down to your wardrobe choices.
Last Friday, Fred Marks wore a black tie to his Tampa office, where the 24-year-old sells commercial real estate, because he was mourning the loss of the basketball coach of his beloved Gators to the deep-pocketed Magic of the NBA. "I was crushed," Marks tells SI.com. "People in the office were laughing at me, but I told them this was a really serious event. It was something that was going to change Florida basketball for the next decade."
Now that Donovan is apparently reversing course and returning to Gainesville, though, Marks will break out his special Gator tie tomorrow in celebration. "I'm shocked," he says. "I'm just amazed that he's staying."
Marks, a third-generation Gator who roomed in college with offensive tackle Max Starks (now of the Steelers), certainly did his part. He launched his Web site the day before Florida beat Ohio State this April for its second straight NCAA title, originally hoping to keep Billy the Kid from taking the Kentucky job. The goal was to convince the Gator nation -- especially well-heeled boosters -- to rally behind their coach. Marks posted the phone number of the Florida athletic office and urged Gator fans to call in to stress how much they wanted the school to pony up whatever it might take to keep Donovan around.
Gator fans withstood the relatively brief Kentucky scare, but last Thursday Donovan appeared gone when he reportedly agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million deal with the Magic. A dismayed Marks transformed his site into one of "mourning and grieving." He even considered posting a sign outside Donovan's exclusive gated community reading, "Please Don't Do It, Billy," but decided against it.
"I just thought, What can I do to change Billy's mind?" Marks said. "I'm just one person. What's a 99-cent poster going to do vs. $27 million?"
It wouldn't have been an unprecedented move for Marks. After the 2001 season, when it became clear that Florida football coach Steve Spurrier was leaving the Gators for the NFL but before he took the Redskins job, Marks posted a sign outside Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver's home that said: "Mr. Weaver, Please Sign Steve Spurrier." Marks hoped to at least keep Spurrier in the state.
Even without the sign this time, though, Marks was more successful in achieving his desired result. He hopes his site played at least some role in that. “Florida fans really used this Web site as a center of gravity,” he says. “It really helped give fans a voice.”
Full article available below:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/extramustard/10_spot/
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Sources: Donovan wants out of Magic deal
Jeff Goodman
FOXSports.com
June 3rd at 11:00pm
Billy Donovan is having second thoughts.
According to two sources close to the situation, the former Florida coach, who accepted the Orlando Magic job on Friday, is attempting to return to Gainesville.
Donovan agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Magic late last week, but has approached both sides about getting out of the deal.
According to one source, Donovan was forced to make a rash decision by the Magic management — and he regretted it shortly after agreeing to the contract.
Speculation centered on VCU coach and former Gators assistant Anthony Grant replacing Donovan quickly. In fact, Grant was slated to meet with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley on Saturday morning.
However, shortly after landing in Virginia, Foley had to return due to an emergency. One source confirmed that the emergency was that Donovan contacted Foley about returning.
Grant addressed the situation in a statement released by VCU.
"Due to the amount of media speculation regarding my involvement with the University of Florida coaching vacancy, I felt it necessary to address the situation," Grant said in the statement. "I have been contacted by the University of Florida regarding the coaching vacancy.
"I have not had any in-person contact with any Florida representative, nor have I been offered the job," Grant continued. "At this point, I will have no further comment on the situation. All my focus is on my responsibilities at VCU."
Grant, 41, is considered the clear-cut favorite to take the place of Donovan. Grant coached alongside Donovan for a decade at Florida and two seasons at Marshall and led VCU to the second round of the NCAA tournament this past season after a first-round upset of Duke.
Donovan, 42, led the Gators to consecutive national titles over the past two seasons and was slated to sign a seven-year deal worth approximately $3.5 million annually. The deal was still in the process of being approved when he accepted the deal with the Magic.
Donovan was introduced by the Orlando Magic at a news conference on Friday
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6883162
FOXSports.com
June 3rd at 11:00pm
Billy Donovan is having second thoughts.
According to two sources close to the situation, the former Florida coach, who accepted the Orlando Magic job on Friday, is attempting to return to Gainesville.
Donovan agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Magic late last week, but has approached both sides about getting out of the deal.
According to one source, Donovan was forced to make a rash decision by the Magic management — and he regretted it shortly after agreeing to the contract.
Speculation centered on VCU coach and former Gators assistant Anthony Grant replacing Donovan quickly. In fact, Grant was slated to meet with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley on Saturday morning.
However, shortly after landing in Virginia, Foley had to return due to an emergency. One source confirmed that the emergency was that Donovan contacted Foley about returning.
Grant addressed the situation in a statement released by VCU.
"Due to the amount of media speculation regarding my involvement with the University of Florida coaching vacancy, I felt it necessary to address the situation," Grant said in the statement. "I have been contacted by the University of Florida regarding the coaching vacancy.
"I have not had any in-person contact with any Florida representative, nor have I been offered the job," Grant continued. "At this point, I will have no further comment on the situation. All my focus is on my responsibilities at VCU."
Grant, 41, is considered the clear-cut favorite to take the place of Donovan. Grant coached alongside Donovan for a decade at Florida and two seasons at Marshall and led VCU to the second round of the NCAA tournament this past season after a first-round upset of Duke.
Donovan, 42, led the Gators to consecutive national titles over the past two seasons and was slated to sign a seven-year deal worth approximately $3.5 million annually. The deal was still in the process of being approved when he accepted the deal with the Magic.
Donovan was introduced by the Orlando Magic at a news conference on Friday
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6883162
Saturday, June 2, 2007
From UF President Bernie Machen to you (Emailed from University of Florida)
Dear Alumni and Friends,
If you're like me, it was a something of a bittersweet moment when you heard that head basketball Coach Billy Donovan was leaving the Gators to take over as coach of the Orlando Magic.
But bitter certainly isn't an emotion I feel when I think of Billy. On the contrary, I couldn't be happier for him and the wonderful opportunity he has to coach in the NBA. When I think of what Billy accomplished for the University of Florida during his 11-season tenure, I'm amazed. A 261-103 record. Nine straight 20-win seasons. Nine consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. Three trips to the NCAA Championship game (2000, 2006, 2007).
And of course, there's the icing on the cake: A dream team that chalked up the Gators' first back-to-back NCAA Men's Division I Championships in 2006 and 2007. Billy will leave as UF's winningest coach.
Simply put, he did the job and he did it well. For that, we are grateful.
As Billy moves on to other challenges, we will begin the search for his successor (Notice I didn't say “replacement” – no one will ever replace Billy.) I have complete faith and confidence in Athletic Director Jeremy Foley's ability to scour the country and find yet another terrifically talented and qualified head basketball coach.
Please join me in wishing Billy Donovan and his family the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Go Gators!
Bernie.
If you're like me, it was a something of a bittersweet moment when you heard that head basketball Coach Billy Donovan was leaving the Gators to take over as coach of the Orlando Magic.
But bitter certainly isn't an emotion I feel when I think of Billy. On the contrary, I couldn't be happier for him and the wonderful opportunity he has to coach in the NBA. When I think of what Billy accomplished for the University of Florida during his 11-season tenure, I'm amazed. A 261-103 record. Nine straight 20-win seasons. Nine consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. Three trips to the NCAA Championship game (2000, 2006, 2007).
And of course, there's the icing on the cake: A dream team that chalked up the Gators' first back-to-back NCAA Men's Division I Championships in 2006 and 2007. Billy will leave as UF's winningest coach.
Simply put, he did the job and he did it well. For that, we are grateful.
As Billy moves on to other challenges, we will begin the search for his successor (Notice I didn't say “replacement” – no one will ever replace Billy.) I have complete faith and confidence in Athletic Director Jeremy Foley's ability to scour the country and find yet another terrifically talented and qualified head basketball coach.
Please join me in wishing Billy Donovan and his family the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Go Gators!
Bernie.
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