Donovan to OKC

FtWorthCat

All-Conference
Aug 21, 2001
6,721
4,532
0
Well it's been expected (or at least a very real possibility) for several days now. So I wonder who is on Florida's short list to replace him.
 

mcbarry32

Junior
Nov 12, 2006
1,217
232
0
Hate that for sec, our rival has been Florida for the last decade. I wonder if florida will change in the schedule as our natural rival since they will definitely take a drop
 

joester5612

Freshman
Apr 21, 2015
170
58
0
Because of what team it is? All season long long everyone has been talking about him wanting to head to the pro's so the fact that he is leaving shouldn't be a shock.
I have heard all of the talk, but I did not think he would leave on such a sour note.
 
Mar 28, 2003
3,159
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Donovan is Pitino's protege, so why wouldn't he come back to college bball and coach for his ex-team's rival school?

I don't really want him anymore. I'd rather have Brad Stevens.
 
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WildMoon

Heisman
Apr 7, 2009
78,693
11,120
0
Donovan is Pitino's protege, so why wouldn't he come back to college bball and coach for his ex-team's rival school?

I don't really want him anymore. I'd rather have Brad Stevens.

I'm with you. I would very much want Brad Stevens. But i doubt he's coming back to college. I think he can be very successful NBA coach. He should have some major draft talent coming in the next few years from all the trades.

I'm impressed at what he accomplished with barely truly NBA level talent.
 

rabidcatfan

Senior
Jan 25, 2003
9,198
512
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Wow, did not see that coming!

Lol....really? He made it abundantly clear during the season that he was fed up with the UF AD Foley and the fans for their complete lack of respect of the basketball program and the culture of winning he created there. It was clear that he'd likely be heading for greener pastures if the opportunity presented itself. I figured it'd be the NBA as I just couldn't see any other college HC job coming open that he'd likely leave UF for.
 
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ukfan041

All-American
Apr 3, 2007
8,650
7,315
73
I wonder if he got Daddy Rick to give him his blessing...lol! In all seriousness, I like Donovan and hope he does well! If not, he could be a potential HC for us down the line, which wouldn't be the worse thing ever!
 
May 6, 2004
15,086
11,447
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maybe he'll change his mind

 
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blubo

Heisman
Oct 14, 2014
22,273
85,181
78
oscar combs said during a pre game show back in january that donovan was leaving this year because of "big time internal problems in the uf program." O be the man.
 

maysvilleky

All-American
Aug 13, 2003
15,769
5,109
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More likely he'd be Pitino's replacement at UofL in 4 - 5 years unless he does big things in the NBA.
 

EliteBlue

Heisman
Mar 27, 2009
16,751
20,269
0
More likely he'd be Pitino's replacement at UofL in 4 - 5 years unless he does big things in the NBA.
this is my thinking as well. Pitino will be gone before Cal and will highly suggest Donavan for the job. Billy won't pass that job up. However I think he will be successful at OKC because a church league coach could supervise their roster to the western conference finals at least once in his first 3 years.
 

joester5612

Freshman
Apr 21, 2015
170
58
0
Lol....really? He made it abundantly clear during the season that he was fed up with the UF AD Foley and the fans for their complete lack of respect of the basketball program and the culture of winning he created there. It was clear that he'd likely be heading for greener pastures if the opportunity presented itself. I figured it'd be the NBA as I just couldn't see any other college HC job coming open that he'd likely leave UF for.
I never thought he would leave after a losing season, is that crazy, really?
 

UK_fan_41102

Hall of Famer
Jan 27, 2010
17,700
124,435
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And to think some of our fans thought we were having a bad month. Losing your best coach ever is having a bad month.
 
Sep 27, 2002
520
4
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I truly think he got tired of the lack of support. Fans that won't travel to SEC tourney when you are ranked #1 all season long (2014) and home games not sold out.
Florida fans just don't care about basketball. Plain and simple. Plus he's tired of playing second fiddle to Ky in the SEC!!
 

Cbbcrazy2

All-Conference
Feb 18, 2007
19,358
2,617
113
I can't force myself to rejoice in him leaving Florida, but in the end the U of F got what they deserved. Taking all the $ for the O dome renovations and putting it into other sports. They will wait a long time to get a coach that good imo.
 

Chuckinden

All-American
Jun 12, 2006
18,990
5,898
113
I think it was a multitude of things. The main one was the AD backing off and delaying some improvements BD wanted. I doubt he would leave it wasn't getting an offer to coach a contender in the NBA with two of the best players in the league. Most all college coaches hate recruiting and Cal is not making it any easier for them. He is set for life financially and will always have a place in college when he wants it.
 

jfrent

Redshirt
Apr 17, 2005
3,658
7
0
Donovan loved UF and Gainesville, and his leaving had nothing to do with unhappiness with Foley with whom he is in a mutual admiration society. His ego was not such that he needed to be propped up by monuments. To quote UF's soccer coach (also a NC winner) from yesterday - "he is a big time coach who never acted like it."

He has said for years that the idea of basketball only - no recruiting and babysitting headaches - was intriguing to him. Anyone would get tired of recruiting high school kids , and if he had negative feelings for staying at UF to go with the challenge of the NBA, that would be it. We'll miss him and hope we can find someone close to him as a man and coach.
 

ubergator74

Redshirt
Feb 5, 2003
2,632
2
0
I can't force myself to rejoice in him leaving Florida, but in the end the U of F got what they deserved. Taking all the $ for the O dome renovations and putting it into other sports. They will wait a long time to get a coach that good imo.

On Odome renovation:
“We remain 100 percent committed to this project,” UF Athletics Director Jeremy Foley said. “The $60 million that we have already earmarked for the project is indicative of this commitment.”