Monday, June 4, 2007
Donovan Backs Out of Orlando?
Florida Gator fans, you can put down the Paxil and stop sobbing. The unimaginable has happened: Billy Donovan has had (another) change of heart and wants to return to the Gators. And you know, if this coaching thing doesn't work out, Donovan sure has a bright future in politics because he has flip-flopped more than a politican at a Presidential debate.
Turns out Donovan's tenure with the Orlando Magic was over before it started.
Last Thursday, Donovan accepted the head coaching position with the Magic, a team only 115 miles from his family in Gainesville. $27.5 million over five years. But by Sunday night, sources revealed he was trying to back out of the deal, despite his signed contract with Orlando. And the Magic are apparently going to let him out of his contract, albeit with possible financial repercussions.
This has been a roller-coaster two months for Donovan — and fans of the teams he's flirted with. That's right, flirted. Fact is, through all of this, Donovan has proven himself to not only be a championship basketball coach, but also a whore who can't say no. As a Kentucky basketball fan, I was certain he was going to be our next coach in April when he simply refused to deny interest in the position once held by his mentor, Rick Pitino. The speculation was rampant in the Bluegress State, with thousands of fans unable to sleep or work, all flocked to a popular UK message board, refreshing it repeatedly for the latest insane rumor from "sources." And I was one of the fiends, I'm ashamed to say.
So when Donovan finally did turn Kentucky down, most of Big Blue Nation felt painful heartbreak, but came to the realization that this meant Billy was staying in Florida to build a Coach K-like legacy and dynasty. Fair enough — Florida is a cushy gig with lots going for it (aside from being a permanent second-fiddle to the football team, but I won't go there). But if anything, Donovan's flirtation with Kentucky and subsequent turning down of the position made it seem like he was remaining a Gator for certain. But as it turned out, he was flirting with someone else.
When news came out last week that Donovan was leaving Florida after all of rumors and speculation that had swirled, but been put to rest with his turning down of the Kentucky job, one emotion described it: shock. Had Donovan been holding out all this time for the Orlando position? We will never know, but now even the Orlando position appears to be a moot point with him backing out.
As for Florida, enough with the claims about him not signing a contract extension because Florida couldn't pay him what he wanted. AD Jeremy Foley and Florida have as deep a pockets as any college, and could pay Donovan handsomely. I refuse to believe it is about the money. Fact is, Donovan's flirtation with Kentucky and the NBA had nothing to do with what Florida couldn't offer him financially.
Although this situation is very fluid and unsettled, things point to Donovan returning to coach the Gators. But why did he leave if not for the money? He's no fool. Donovan heard the talking heads on ESPN going on about the repeated list of college coaches jumping to the NBA and failing. Any big-time coach has an ego, whether they admit it or not, and Donovan had to be itching to prove he could be the one who would succeed on the next level. He used the word "challenge," but he really meant he craved the chance to do what others couldn't.
So assuming Donovan doesn't flip-flop again, he will be returning to the Gators. And as a SEC fan, I have to say I am glad. I look forward to years of rivalry between a revitalized Kentucky program and Donovan's Gators. Having a coach of his caliber return to the SEC is only a good thing. And a good thing that Florida gig is. The most unsettling thing Donovan must have realized in leaving Florida was once he left for good, he could likely never come back. That's a scary thought knowing if this Orlando challenge flops, he left the perfect situation behind, unable to ever live that dream again. All that he had built up would never be his again.
Luckily for Gator fans, that won't be a problem because Billy the Kid has come to his senses.