March 7, 201016 yr It's almost been three years ago that Billy Donovan had just won his second consecutive national championship. He, at the time, was in negotiations to become the highest paid coach in college basketball at either Florida, or Kentucky, one of the premier jobs in America. Spurning both, he had accepted nearly $28 million over five years to coach Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. Of course, he went back to Florida and signed Rivals #1 rated class. Over the two year stretch of back-to-back titles and domination of the NCAA, Donovan held a 68-11 record. In the three years since, just 69-34 and two (maybe three) NIT appearances and a 5-year ban from coaching in the NBA, if he ends up there. The college job offered to him is currently 29-2, compared to his 20-11, a likely #1 seed and a favorite to make the Final Four. How has Billy Donovan fallen so far? And do you think he regrets not taking the Kentucky job or staying with Orlando? Only once this season has Florida had a sell-out crowd. Their opponent: Kentucky. They have consistently had less than full crowds at the O'Connell Center while Rupp Arena and Kentucky basketball is at it's highest point in a decade. What do you make of this?
March 7, 201016 yr Billy D is no doubt a good coach he's just run on to some tough times IMO. His recruits haven't really panned out and he's lost out on some big players like Patterson and Bledsoe in recent years. That said I'm extremely glad he turned down the UK job....
March 7, 201016 yr Author Billy D is no doubt a good coach he's just run on to some tough times IMO. His recruits haven't really panned out and he's lost out on some big players like Patterson and Bledsoe in recent years. That said I'm extremely glad he turned down the UK job.... I agree with that, and I also wanted Calipari the first time. But in hindsight, he would have also had Rose, and we may be looking at forfeiting wins. I can deal with the down years with Gillispie to have a Calipari now.
March 7, 201016 yr Outside of that two year stretch, Billy D. has always been just an alright coach...
March 7, 201016 yr Outside of that two year stretch, Billy D. has always been just an alright coach... He also took Fla to the Final Four in 2000
March 7, 201016 yr Author Outside of that two year stretch, Billy D. has always been just an alright coach... True. And really, those seasons weren't that bad. Of course, missing the tourney is never good. But with those records (25-11) at UK, you'll most likely get in. Edited March 8, 201016 yr by SouthernSportsFan Fixed a word.
March 8, 201016 yr I think they'll get in the tournament, along with Vandy, Tennessee, and of course, Kentucky. No one from the West Divsion though.
March 8, 201016 yr He also took Fla to the Final Four in 2000 Doesn't change the fact that before that the book on him was typically massively underachieving teams. A good run changes ones perspective.
March 8, 201016 yr The man is 365–155, has 2 Titles, been to the FF 3 times and failed to win 20 games only 4 times(the first 4 years of his HC career).........doing it all @ Football crazy Florida and Marshall.......................... There have been teams with more talent that have failed to win just 1 National Title........
March 8, 201016 yr Author The man is 365–155, has 2 Titles, been to the FF 3 times and failed to win 20 games only 4 times(the first 4 years of his HC career).........doing it all @ Football crazy Florida and Marshall.......................... There have been teams with more talent that have failed to win just 1 National Title........ We're not questioning his ability. Just questioning his feelings about the opportunities that presented themselves and how they may have changed, considering what we know now...
March 8, 201016 yr I doubt he has a lot of regrets. By all accounts his family loves living in Florida, he's got a great relationship with Florida's AD so it would take a lot for his seat to get even remotely warm. He's very well paid so I'm sure money isn't an issue for him. I think he just really likes it there--and that was reflected in his decision to leave the Magic job after accepting it.
March 8, 201016 yr We're not questioning his ability. Just questioning his feelings about the opportunities that presented themselves and how they may have changed, considering what we know now... I think he is just as happy at Florida now as he was when he went back, but he would like to win more............
March 8, 201016 yr Donovan simply doesn't have enough talent...nothing more, nothing less. He is a good coach, but you must have talent to be a great coach.
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