Gator Scout reporting as official. Billy D to OKC

[DrH. Lecter]

http://florida.scout.com/story/1542289-report-donovan-thunder-agree-to-deal?s=168

The Gainesville Sun is reporting Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan has agreed to terms on a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder to be the team's head coach.

The two sides reportedly began talking earlier this week about the job opening. Donovan and Thunder general manager Sam Presti have built a friendship in recent years. Presti hired Mark Daigneault, who previously served as the assistant to the head coach at Florida, to be the head coach of the Thunder’s D-League team. He also hired Oliver Winterbone as basketball information analyst after he served as the video coordinator at Florida for four seasons.

Donovan never closed the door on the NBA in recent years. He always admitted interest in being an NBA coach one day, but it would take the right fit to pull him away from Gainesville. The Thunder were able to do it, giving Donovan a chance to coach two of the NBA’s stars in point guard Russell Westbrook and small forward Kevin Durant.

Donovan leaves Florida after a historic run. In his 19 seasons, Donovan led the Gators to four Final Fours, three national title games and won back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007. He went 467-185 (.715 winning percentage) and won six Southeastern Conference titles, being named SEC Coach of the Year three times (2011, 2013, 2014).

From the local news of record: Gainesville Sun:

http://www.gainesville.com/article/...itle=Thunder-struck-Donovan-leaves-UF-for-NBA

Donovan agreed to terms in principle to coach the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, a month shy of his 50th birthday, sources confirmed to the Sun. There are some loose ends to tie up in the deal, per the source, but it’s essentially done.

 

[Tannerdad]

Good for him.

I predict he will coach in the NBA for a few years and then return to college to coach in a conference that actually gives a rat's ass about basketball.

 

[Blueblood22]

Done done deal?

 

[jrm693]

Well the SEC is beginning to recruit some respectable coaches maybe the winds of change are here.

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

You knew something was up when all his players are transferring out.

 

[dckala2]

florida under donovan is the new arkansas of the 90's.

edited to add R.I.P. florida basketball.

 

[gossie21]

Good for him.

I predict he will coach in the NBA for a few years and then return to college to coach in a conference that actually gives a rat's ass about basketball.

Or, he may end up loving coaching in the NBA and for a franchise where the fans actually care and may stay there. I think Billy's personality is perfect for the NBA.

 

[ZZBlueComet]

Good for him.

I predict he will coach in the NBA for a few years and then return to college to coach in a conference that actually gives a rat's ass about basketball.

Or a school that does.......

 

[true blue1]

Good for him. Great Coach.

 

[westerncat]

Good for him.

I predict he will coach in the NBA for a few years and then return to college to coach in a conference that actually gives a rat's ass about basketball.

I think this is the reason he is leaving. The only time the gym was full was when UK came to Fla. You could see there was something wrong in some of his press release after some of the games.
Now wonder who Fla. will go after ?

 

[Players-first-the-only-way]

Does he have anyone we want? The are all free to transfer once he leaves.

 

[bookerfan66]

Guy can really coach and I wish him well.

 

[bookerfan66]

Does he have anyone we want? The are all free to transfer once he leaves.

I wish we would take a look at Noah Dickerson.

 

[UPSCat4080]

I predict he coaches in the NBA for five seasons and when Cal hangs it up here then we will announce him as the successor to the empire once again rebuilt.

Honestly who would be a more proven coach? Billy D turned crap into diamonds at Florida on a regular basis.

 

[WACB]

Good luck Billy D

 

[BLUEHILLS]

Second greatest coach in SEC history behind Rupp?

Discuss...

 

[coolcat9lives]

Isn't it crazy that we have had year after year of "Cal to the NBA" rumors but the SEC coach that actually makes the jump is Billy Donovan?

 

[8XCHAMP]

so does Florida go after little Ricky now?

 

[ubergator74]

I think this is the reason he is leaving. The only time the gym was full was when UK came to Fla. You could see there was something wrong in some of his press release after some of the games.
Now wonder who Fla. will go after ?

While UK appears in six of the top attended games in arena history so does UT, OSU, FSU, and ARK. My best guess knowing Jeremy Foley's tendencies is that UF will go after Michael White at LaTech.

 

[FL2287]

Great for BD. Great coach. Would love to have him at UK when Cal leaves.

 

[Dreklie]

Always liked ol Billy, great coach, he deserves a fan base that gives a shit.

 

[CatPhight]

Morgan to Gainesville - done deal.

 

[The_Godfather]

Not sure why Florida should be considered a better job than a place like Georgia or Tennessee.

Donovan was that program.

He was there for 20 years and I've always assumed that the program would revert back to pre-Donovan levels as soon he left.

 

[CatPhight]

Not sure why Florida should be considered a better job than a place like Georgia or Tennessee.

Donovan was that program.

He was there for 20 years and I've always assumed that the program would revert back to pre-Donovan levels as soon he left.

Other than one run with Kruger, you're right - they do have deep pockets and IMO will make the best hire possible. Shame their fan base is so damn apathetic.

 

[Mojocat]

Just caught this in Pete Thamel's story at Sports Illustrated: "SI.com was the first to report that the deal was done."

When he says "SI.com" he means, of course, himself, Pete Thamel. I wonder what kind of relationship Donovan has with Thamel that he would get the first word on this when ESPN and others are making it a top priority to get the scoop? Which then makes me think back to the Bledsoe witch hunt led by Thamel, the release of Bledsoe's grades, how Thamel got those grades, etc. Hmmmmm......

 

[The_Godfather]

Just caught this in Pete Thamel's story at Sports Illustrated: "SI.com was the first to report that the deal was done."

When he says "SI.com" he means, of course, himself, Pete Thamel. I wonder what kind of relationship Donovan has with Thamel that he would get the first word on this when ESPN and others are making it a top priority to get the scoop? Which then makes me think back to the Bledsoe witch hunt led by Thamel, the release of Bledsoe's grades, how Thamel got those grades, etc. Hmmmmm......

The relationship of Thamel - Forde to Donovan - Pitino always caused me to be highly skeptical of Calipari's claims of being tight with Donovan.

 

[JustthefaxMa'am]

Or, he may end up loving coaching in the NBA and for a franchise where the fans actually care and may stay there. I think Billy's personality is perfect for the NBA.

He's stay for years if he can keep that roster together. He'll win consistently so no reason to change unless he doesn't like the style or travel.