AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > March > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBluegrass intrusion allowed by Donovan
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Billy Donovan says he doesn’t carry his cellphone on the road. He says he hands it to his secretary, who screens all calls. Donovan says this frees him to go from watching film to conducting practice without being troubled by the outside world. That’s what he says.
Reality, at least this weekend’s version of it, might be rather different. Donovan has to know he’s the central figure in this Final Four for two divergent and possible divisive reasons: He coaches the team that’s trying win consecutive titles, and he’s the leading candidate to coach an even higher-profile program next season.
If he’s lucky, Florida will win again and he’ll be able to say his personal status had no impact on his team. But say Florida loses. Will Donovan spend the rest of his life wondering if he was the distraction that kept the best team he’ll ever coach from fulfilling its manifest destiny?
Asked on a conference call Wednesday if he would mention Kentucky to his players, Donovan said, “There’s nothing more to address. I’ve already addressed it.”
March Madness in Atlanta:
Check out the AJC’s Final Four pageActually, what he has done is to act as if he has no say in anything — from last weekend: “That has nothing to do with me; it has everything to do with Kentucky. … I’m not the decision maker in the process” — but that’s just not true. If he’d decided he wasn’t interested in the Wildcats, the way Bobby Cremins did back in 1985, that’d be the end of it. But Donovan didn’t say those words, and by not saying them he has made it seem as if he’s willing to listen.
Can we fault him for that? No, because it’s the American way to want to make scads more money. But also yes, because his Gators are in a position no team has occupied in 15 years.
Three of them — Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer — famously deferred personal gain for the commonweal. Would it have killed Donovan to say, “Ordinarily I’d be flattered if Kentucky came calling, but this just isn’t the time for me to be thinking about anything but this team and therefore I’m removing my name from consideration”? He keeps telling his guys to live for the moment. Is he living for the moment by letting his name linger in the air, by allowing the rumor-mongerers in the Bluegrass to run amok?
Example: My brother called from Maysville, Ky., on Tuesday, saying Lexington TV was reporting that Donovan was coming to Kentucky. Turned out one station had seized on a rumor posted on The Cats’ Pause message board and stated it as fact. (Full disclosure: I once worked for — and was fired from — The Cats’ Pause.)
No, Donovan has no control over what somebody in Lexington chooses to float on the Internet. But if he’d said, “Sorry, not interested,” the postings would be about Rick Barnes or Tom Crean. As it is, Donovan-to-Kentucky will hang over this Final Four the way Roy-Williams-to-North-Carolina hung over the 2003 edition, and that one didn’t end so sweetly for the coach and his men.
The Jayhawks beat Marquette (coached by Crean, who has done little since) by 33 points in the semi, but they fell behind Syracuse by 18 and yielded a record 53 first-half points in the title game. They still might have won but for missing 18 of 30 free throws. Were they distracted or simply outplayed? We’ll never know, and neither will Ol’ Roy, who, when pressed by CBS about the Carolina job afterward, loosed a malodorous word on live television. (Earlier he had bristled when asked about the Tar Heels on the pre-Final Four conference call.)
Williams eventually got his championship at Carolina, but those Kansas players — Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison and Keith Langford — never did. No matter where Donovan coaches in the years ahead, he’ll have more chances to win it all. These remarkably selfless Gators have only one shot to do their double. They’re chasing history. As the last leg of their long slog approaches, might one or two among them be wondering: What’s our coach chasing?
Permalink | Comments (85) | Post your comment | Categories: Final Four, Mark Bradley
Comments
By bird dirt
March 29, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
i’d have to say that, yeah, he’s listening to uk. more importantly, florida is listening to these things “in the air” and since he didn’t sign a contract extention, he will be able to land with which ever of the two teams is the highest bidder. simple (and smart) economics on his part.
By Chris
March 29, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
Good article but he mispoke on no team being in the same position in 15 years. Arkansas had a chance to repeat in the ‘95 title game, and Kentucky as well in ‘97. I don’t know about other champions who just made it to the next year’s final four. I’m sure he meant to say they have a chance at doing something no team has done for 15 years, referring to Duke’s repeat in ‘91 and ‘92.
By Chuck Uga
March 29, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
Interesting stuff. Funny, but he could continue on the torrid pace he is on if he stays at UF. Their Athletic Program is unbelievable due to Gatorade royalties and a very smart AD. Kentucky will figure out how to compete, but it will be very difficult to displace UF as the top program in the SEC if he stays (in fact, they won’t).
By Reggie
March 29, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
This is the “American Way”. So don’t get upset when pro, college or high school athletes for that matter seek the best “deal” for themselves. It’s the “American Way”.
By BadgerDawg
March 29, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
UNC was a lateral move(or maybe slightly better) and a chance to come home for Williams. Donovan would be making a lateral move or even stepping down a notch to go to a program he doesn’t have significant ties to. Florida has better basketball players instate. If he leaves, it’s all about $$$$$$$$$$. Crean and Few are the only coaches mentioned for whom the UK job would probably be a step up. It certainly wouldn’t be for Izzo or Barnes.
On a similar note, what makes Arkansas think they could ever get Bill Self?
By The Truth
March 29, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
UNC a lateral move??? How can you compare Lawrence, KS to Chapel Hill, NC…The Big 12 to the ACC….better yet the Devil Rays to the Cowboys. Your statement and logic are asinine.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 29, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
At this moment, this column is a non story it’s just idle speculation on your part Mark. Donovan is putting all his time and effort into having his team ready for U.C.L.A. Why should he have to say a single word to anybody but his players? How you can get off comparing the williams/NC situation is beyond me. He’s said that he’s talked with his team and that’s all that needs to be said. In addition, Williams didn’t have a football coach who’s the highest paid coach in his league saying, “pay Roy more than me to keep him here. he deserves it”. I’m a little surprised but then again, your whole background is Ky. so you think that every coach in the country should think that way to. They don’t.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
March 29, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
Why say anything to the media? Why back yourself in a corner, what? Just so you can make an azz out of yourself like that clown Nick Saban? As much as it would kill me to see Billy D go to Kentucky, he is doing the right thing and not saying anything. If he says just ONE thing, the media hounds will make it an even bigger distraction then they are trying to make it to be even though he’s said nothing. It must be killing the media types that he won’t throw them a bone. I hope, no let me rephrase that, I PRAY that he doesn’t do that, but can’t help but feel it is inevitable. This will be the worse thing EVER. Even worse than when I was force to watch Tayshaun Prince torch my Gators game after freaking game when he played at Kentucky. This is why I hope the Gators win it all again, so maybe Billy D will stay. I was a fan of his back in his Providence days and was the first one aboard his bandwagon when I heard he was coming to UF. I told everyone TEN YEARS ago, everything with the UF b-ball program was going to change when he arrived and everyone laughed at me, like who is this guy? It would just kill me, if he went to Kentucky. It would take my hate of that school to an all-time PERMANENT high. Don’t do it Billy, PLEEEEEEEASE! Don’t do it man!
GO GATORS!!!
By Buzz
March 29, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
According to my sources, Donovan is a “gonner”.
By jim Herrick
March 29, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
Buzz, A hooker doesn’t count as a source.
By ConyersDawg
March 30, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this
I disagree with you Badger. Kent. is not a lateral move. Kent. is still a move up that is why only the best names in BB will be mentioned for the job.
The truth is folks Billy has been at Fl. longer then Tubby was at Kent. and Tubby still did way better statistic wise in sec champ. and wins.
Badger, you say Fl has better recruits then Kent. What? Since when did fl focus on fl recruits. All of Donovans recruits are recruited nationally. Noah - NJ Horford - Mich Humphrey - Tenn Brewer - Tenn Green - Fl
Donovan will get even better players at Kent. (He can sell Kentucky as a true Basketball power and most important sport, the fan base is legendary) Kent. is still the premier school of the conference. Donovan has a special group of guys right now but wait till you see Fl. trying to win next year.
Donovan will take 3 mil. and never look back.
By Eugene
March 30, 2007 1:15 AM | Link to this
I would llke for Kentucky to bring in someone from outside the SEC that will really spice up the competition. The coach at Butler did such a good job against Donovan he is someone who should at least get an interview.
By Eli
March 30, 2007 3:13 AM | Link to this
Mark, your column is exactly the sort of result Donovan is hoping for by not saying anything. By deflecting attention and pressure away from the Gators’ quest for a repeat and keeping the media speculating about him personally, he’s allowing the players to focus on the task at hand and is absorbing all the noise himself — it’s absolutely brilliant. Donovan’s not leaving Florida for Kentucky or any other school, and his players (and recruits) know it. NBA, maybe, but as long as he coaches college basketball, it’ll be in Gainesville.
By Lee Barton
March 30, 2007 6:40 AM | Link to this
Donovan is doing his best not to say anything that will come back to haunt him if he takes the job. He has a very recent example, Nick Saban, of what the media will do to you if you say anything that can used against you later. He might not want the UK job, but he wants the bargaining chip it gives him.
By BadgerDawg
March 30, 2007 7:15 AM | Link to this
Truth, you gave a alot of comaparisons with no answers. Is Chapel Hill that much nicer than Lawrence? I don’t know, I’ve never been to Chapel Hill, Lawrence is a decent town with a nice campus. ACC to Big 12? Again, debatable. My point was that Kansas and UNC are both traditional powers, as is Kentucky. You said my logic was asinine, but I at least used some, you said it was ridiculous with no reasons why. Or do you consider comparing the DRays and the Cowboys to be logical? Which one is UNC?
Conyers, you make sense. I hope you’re right, I don’t want him at UF. I believe Horford is considered a FL product, but you make good points. I know the core of the past team(Walsh, Roberson, Bonner) were all from other states. However, wouldn’t it still be correct that the state of Florida is a better recruiting base than Kentucky?
By mart
March 30, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
Tradition-wise and in every other way, Kansas basketball tops UNC. It was Teddy Roosevelt who said “Rock Chalk Jayhawk” was the greatest college cheer he ever heard. Nobody compares to James Naismith and Phog Allen.
By the way, from my experiences, Lawrence is a basic, charming college town, and Chapel Hill is a dump.
By jack Mills
March 30, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
Either Billy the Kid is really interested in UK or he’s doing this to get more money and control out of Florida. I say the latter!!!
By GatorLee
March 30, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this
Chuck Uga- You are half right. We do have a smart AD. It is not because of Gatorade royalties. The University gets just under $2 Mil a year from Gatorade. The University, not the athletic association.
Remember, Roy Williams is a UNC grad and former player. Billy was only an assistant coach for a few years at UK. He would not be going “home”.
By gdawginkalamazoo
March 30, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
mart, didn’t Naismith have a losing record at Kansas as a coach?
IMO, Donovan is doing the right thing for him and UF. The money will be big for him either way but most importantly he has put RECRUITING on hold.
By ChampDawg
March 30, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Mark— If media folks like yourselves would just shut the hell up and stop adding even more fuel to the fire, the situation wouldn’t be as tenuous as it is. The media is partly to blame. Shut the hell up already.
By gator the dog catcher
March 30, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
Looks like Billy has been talking to Rodney Garner about how to get more money by talking to other schools. I’m sure Billy won’t do it every year like Garner though.
By tanner
March 30, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
**Billy D will be UK’s ead basketball coach next year guys, I just know it… sorry gator fans, but your program just isnt as good as ours
By Boomer
March 30, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Chuck: A smart AD? Ron Zook. Hello?
Jim Herrick: You do know the former UGA coach’s name is Jim Harrick, right? I know you wouldn’t be ripping off someone’s name and not know how to spell it. Right?
Eugene: UK is out of luck on the Butler coach. I think he’s got a line on an NAIA women’s job.
By Uh, tanner
March 30, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
You’re right dude, Florida’s program is way better than yours right now. Buttmunch.
By matt
March 30, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
Why would he go to UK? The UF pres. already has given the AD permission to do what is neccessary to resign Donovan and the Florida program is going to continue this success as long as he’s there. Kentucky’s program is on the decline. He’s about to repeat as NC. Oh yeah, and his wife and kids are happy in Gainseville and love it. This would be like Pete Carroll going to FSU. It’s not going to happen folks, if it does Donovan is a moron!
By Hoof Hearted
March 30, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
I think Donovan would be a fool to leave UF to go to KY. However, I think he would be a bigger fool if he did what Bradley suggests in his column—declaring himself out of the running for the Kentucky job. Why wouldn’t he let the rumors fly in order to negotiate a better deal at UF? You know Foley will pay him whatever Kentucky offers. The only way he doesn’t get that raise is if he does what Bradley says he should.
Also, do you really think this speculation is a “distraction” to the team? Most of those guys are gone after this year anyway. Are they really not going to be able to focus if Donovan is gone next year too?
By Reem
March 30, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
ConyersDawg - Yes this is a special group of players at Fl now, but don’t forget that Billy coached in Nat’l championship game BEFORE this group got here. Fl will be successful next and years to come. Its called sustaining a winning tradition. Don’t hope for everbody else to fall to the level of UGA…PS, have fun with Felton.
By MF
March 30, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
This is more like the Stoops/UF situation than the Roy/UNC situation.
UK will come calling, and Billy will say “thanks” but “no thanks”…it’s that simple.
By Dacula Dawg
March 30, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
BadgerDawg,
Kentucky, “a lateral move or a step down”? That is one of the most ridiculous statements in the history of internet blogs! No matter if the ‘Turds win this championship and 2 out of the next 3, they will NEVER EVER get the support as a basketball program that Kentucky gives to it’s program. Simply put, UK is one of the top 5 best college BB programs in history (UCLA, UK, UNC, Kansas, Duke). Even with it’s very recent success, UF is WAY down on that list. They have trouble filling the gym for home games and Gainesville will always be a football town. Those are the facts. I’ll go out on a limb and say there will be more Kentucky fans at the Final Four than there will be cheesy Gayturd fans. UK fans are fanatic in a way that no one else can compare. Being a Badger Dawg you know how well the Wisconsin football fans travel to support their team. Multiply that by 10 and you have got UK hoop fans. Kentucky fans just want to win, ALWAYS, and want a coach to fit their mold (ala Pitino) and Donovan is the man for that job. He will get a ringing endorsement from old Rick to coach the Blue. Look, I am no Kentucky fan, but I know who the ruler of hoops is in the SEC - KENTUCKY!
By Dacula Dawg
March 30, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
Another reason Donovan leaves for the blue grass is that UF will be WAY down next year. The cupboard is a little bare and ole Billy did NOT play anybody in preparation for next year. Good Bye to UF!!!
By Traceman
March 30, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this
Donovan is doing absolutely the right thing by not commenting. If he says he’s NOT going, he loses a lot of leverage if he wants more money from FL (and who wouldn’t in his shoes) or he is a liar like Saban if he changes his mind and goes to KY later. That is a no-win situation. If he says that he IS going, then the story WILL truly be a distraction to his players. The only people he needs to have a conversation with right now regarding this are his team and his family and being honest with them and saying that he doesn’t know what he is going to do is just fine.
By catforlife
March 30, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
For all Gators fans, you don’t deserve a good head coach. My God you only had some 350 fans that were in attendance at UF’s regional games and that may have been a high estimate. How embarrasing for your program. I watched your tourney games this year and was embarrased for your school and the SEC with such pathetic support. In contrast UK had 10,000 or more at Chicago. You all are just KY (want to be’s). You can NOT compete with UK’S legacy or tradition or nationwide fan base. Get over it! If we would have had a coach over the last few years that did better in recruiting, as in the past, things would be much different. No matter who the next coach is, we will again rise to the top because of our tradion and nationwide appeal!
By Reem
March 30, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this
Dacula Dawg - Do you even watch Fl??? There are 2 seniors on this team. There are 2 freshmen and a sophomore that got extensive playing time this year, not to mention the McDonald’s all-american headed to campus. Furthermore, when this ‘04 class got to Fl, they were NOT highly recruited and Fl was picked to finish 5th in the SEC. If you are looking for bare cupboards, focus on Athens. UGA fans should do research before trying bring every other team down to there pathetic level. Can you be any more misinformed?
By ChampDawg
March 30, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
If Billy D leaves for UK, the cupboard is going to be even more bare at UK. There’s little talent on that team now and with Morris leaving, even if highly touted recruits decide to come on to UK, it’s not agodd situation.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 30, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
Kalamazoo, has it. Billy D. has put not only recruitings on hold but all this Ky. talk or any other conversation. Love’um or hate’um, that whole bunch, AS A TEAM ARE FOCUSED ON ONE THING,,,,,,,,,BEAT U.C.L.A.
By Dacula Dawg
March 30, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Reem,
Un-freaking-fortunately I watched plenty of Florida this year (who could help it, they were on the telly enough). There entire starting 5 is leaving after the season. Do you watch your own team? You don’t know squat about them if you do. That McDonald’s all-American you speak of was a token white guard selected. He wouldn’t even break into Dunwoody High’s first 10. The other Frosh you spoke with played in mop up time (there was plenty of that I’ll admit). One freshman did play some minutes but you are in total denial if you think Florida will finish anywhere but 3rd or lower in the SEC East next year. Mark my words, things won’t be so rosy next year in cheesy land! BTW, I’m not trying to bring anyone down to the Dawgs level, which conversely is going up. You my friend are the misinformed one.
By Ironfeet
March 30, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
I don’t have a rooting interest for either school, but if I was Donovan, i’d stay and build on the legacy he began at UF. Why take over program that has lost it’s luster while standing in the shadow of a legend. In the eyes of UK fans, no one will be able to follow Adolf Rupp’s legacy. Hell, the man’s name is on the building that you’d be playing in. He’s already won a champiponship and on the verge of winning another. Why not stay on and build this already successful program into a dynasty like UCLA, Duke, UNC and UK. He keeps coaching at the level he is now, his name will be on the arena he’s playing in.
By catforlife
March 30, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
I haven’t seen a reply to my previous post about Gator fans and their pathetic support in the regional tourney and the fact they don’t usually even sell out their own little gym (fact). Obviously I’ve hurt your feelings, your probably in the corner with a box of tissue crying, I’m sorry, come on back and lets talk.
By GaCtracker
March 30, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
Good article by Bradley. Hey Donovan, it takes two to tango! What do you mean that it is all up to Kentucky? We are not fools and neither are your players. If you weren’t interested you would remove your name from consideration and remove any doubt. Actions speak louder than words!
By Pat
March 30, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
No matter what Donovan has said or not said about Kentucky, I don’t think it will effect Florida’s players one way or the other. His status for 07-08 is a nonissue this weekend for that team.
By croc
March 30, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Man, UK fans are going to implode when Donovan announces next week he’s staying at UF and signs what amounts to a lifetime contract. And just for the record, Yes, Cat fans travel better than UF in basketball because that’s all they have. UF competes at a national level in almost every sport.
By Randy
March 30, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
Could he have removed his name from consideration? Yes.
But then again, Florida could just as easily have given him a huge raise and told the world they have locked up Donovan.
The problem is, they won’t do that. They won’t pay him more than Meyer. They can’t.
By Frank
March 30, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
If Florida wins everything Donovan is gone! At Florida his only direction would be down and he will be looking for a new challenge. I don’t think money will be a big factor.
By Atlanta Gator
March 30, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Dacula Dawg, “catforlife” et al——Please give us Gator fans a break; we’re still relatively new at this National Basketball Championship thing. When I heard that part of Florida’s ticket allotment for the regionals went unsold, I and a lot of my other Atlanta-area Gator friends felt, well, stupid. I can assure you that had the availability of those tickets been better advertised, they would not have gone unsold. If I had known that tickets for the Midwest Regional were available, I would have hopped on Delta for a three-day weekend in Saint Louis. My expectations (and those of a lot of other folks) was that the tickets would be impossible to get, so we didn’t even try. I have tried to get tickets for this weekend, and I can assure you that UF’s allotment is sold out——at any price.
Over the holidays, I was back in Florida to see family, and I took several family members to see the Gator hoops team play UAB in the Orange Bowl Classic tournament. The tournament was played in the Florida Panthers’ arena in west Fort Lauderdale (Davie), and it was a sell-out. The Panthers’ arena seats 20,700+ for basketball. The O’Connell Center (UF’s Gainesville home court) has an official basketball seating capacity of 12,000, although the Gator faithful packed 12,621 (a school record) into the O’Dome to see the Gators beat the Buckeyes by 26 points this past December.
Sure, the Gators don’t have the 70-year basketball history that Kentucky, but the Gators have played in 4 Final Fours, and 2 championship games since 1994 (under two different coaches, Kruger and Donovan). That equals the number of Wildcat appearances in the last 2 decades (and it remains to be seen if the Gators will equal the Wildcats’ championships over that same time period). Clearly, the Gator hoops program is, and hopefully will continue, on an upward trajectory.
As for football vs. basketball, I have yet to hear the first Gator fan say or write that Florida football must take precedence over Florida basketball (as some fans at other SEC schools have said of their own sports programs). Frankly, the state, the university and the alumni fan base are big enough and wealthy enough to successfully support two championship-caliber programs.
As for Coach Donovan, he’s been good for the Gators and vice versa. If he stays in Gainesville (and I sincerely hope he does), he can become the Steve Spurrier-Dean Smith-Bear Bryant-Mike Krzyzewski legendary basketball coach of the Gators. Why would he go to Kentucky, where he will always coach in Adolph Rupp’s shadow, and where the fans expectations are, ahem, a little extreme? Well, apart from the money (which UF will match), I can’t answer for Billy’s inner motivations, but I do know that he has built something special in Gainesville, and regardless of whether the Gators have a “down year” after 2 consecutive Final Fours, the future is brighter still if he stays.
BTW, schadenfreude is never flattering, whether it comes from the mouth, pen or keyboard of a Dawg, Wildcat or a Gator. Please let us enjoy this special time without reminding us that it can’t last forever. We know that.
By rlprofessional
March 30, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
When will you nuts realize it is the players not the coaches…
Take USC they will get the best high school player next year does that mean all of sudden Tim Floyd is a great coach - NO. He is getting two of the best players coming into college.
By brandon
March 30, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Sorry florida fans your boy Donovan is gone!
By GatorLee
March 30, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
catforlife-Program A has been to 3 final fours THIS DECADE and is about to win thier second National championship. they have a coach that everyone wants. They have won 6 strait vs Program B. They have won the last 3 SEC tournaments. Program B has 0 final 4’s this decade. Their coach would rather be in Minnisota. Tcatforlife- Program A has been to 3 final fours THIS DECADE and is about to win their second National championship. They have a coach that everyone wants. They have won 6 in a row vs Program B. They have won the last 3 SEC tournaments. Program B has 0 final 4’s this decade. Their coach would rather be in Minnesota. They are the 4th place team in the sec EAST! They have no talent. They are begging, praying and hoping that they can get Team A’s coach.
So, tell me again which is the better program? Spare us your song and dance about what you accomplished before WWII. Your fans are great at supporting your team. Great, have a Coke and a smile while you watch the GATORS play for championships. Boast all you want about how many UK fans traveled to watch UK lose again.
UK’s nationwide fan base? Please. Nobody outside of KY gives a crap.
By GatorLee
March 30, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
Sorry about the cut and paste error!
By Atlanta Gator
March 30, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
GatorLee——Notre Dame football fans? Okay, that’s a “nationwide fan base.” Other than the New York Yankees, I can’t name another sports team (college, professional or otherwise) that currently has a truly nationwide fan base … and that includes a lot of other teams that have won national championships.
Most college sports programs are successful when they receive consistent and enthusiastic support from their own alumni.
By VolGuy
March 30, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
This isn’t about money. It’s about Donovan doing what every coach in the entire country wants to do - coach at an elite program that’s rich in history. Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas - these are the types of programs that coaches strive for and dream about. When Donovan retires, he would much rather be known as “Billy Donovan, former Kentucky coach” than “Billy Donovan, former Florida coach.”
He’ll take the job at Kentucky and it will be the best decision he ever makes.
By Bcoll
March 30, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
First of all let me say that I am an avid Kentucky Fan…. I also will say that I would love to see Donovan as UK’s next head coach. I also believe that either way both programs will be allright. The one thing that I am confused on however is the statements by UF fans that no one will ever live up to Rupps image…. What does that mean… Let me tell you that i am close to thirty years old and was not even alive when the man was coaching.. So what he was a great coach and yes UK’s arena is named after him.. But as for myself and thousands of other UK fans out there, we could care less about Mr.Rupp. We are talking about the year 2007 folks. The game can not even come close to being compared to the time that Rupp was coaching. I am also confused on what the Florida fans are trying to use as ammo to support their theory on BD staying around by saying that the quality of life in Gainesville, Fl is soo great that why would he ever want to leave? Let me say that I am a resident of beautiful Lexington Kentucky and have spent significant time in Florida as well. Even that quaint little town called Gainesville. There are very few places that can come close to having the quality of life that exists in the central Kentucky Bluegrass region. And that includes most any place in Florida. Bottom line here is that money and tradition will talk. If Bd wants more money, UK will give it to him. Oh, and by the way anyone who thinks that UK is not the premier basketball program in the nation will only need to review the programs record. Furthermore there are plenty of people outside of Kentucky who, “Give a crap”….
By GatorLee
March 30, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
VolGuy- I think Billy will want be known as “Florida Basketball” when he retires instead of one of UK’s ex-coaches. Do you think Coach K wishes he was offered the UK or KU or IU or even the UNC job? I think he is pretty happy with his own legacy. There are a lot of similarities between Coack K’s career and Billy’s.
By Dacula Dawg
March 30, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
Ignorant Gator Fans:
Now hear this: Florida is NOT an elite BB program and will never be. UK has won more SEC titles than Florida in THIS century and has won as many NCs in the past 10 years. Those of you who think that Florida is from here on out going to be a Big Time NC contender in hoops is living in LaLa land. Like VolGuy says, it is every coach’s dream to be at the helm of one of the Big 5 schools (UF NOT being one of them). I give Florida credit for their BBall success of the past 2 years but it won’t last and it ain’t UK. BTW, UK fans SEEK OUT the tickets to regionals, finals, etc. They don’t wait for them to fall into their laps. This recent string of success reminds me of Michigan back in the late 80’s - early 90’s…and where is their program now? Look in the mirror Gaytors, you are a football school and BD would be Silly Billy if he didn’t move onto greener, er, Bluer pastures!
By Dacula Dawg
March 30, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
WHOA WHOA WHOA….GatorLee, are you comparing Coach K and Silly Billy? Stop right there, the HOOP GODS are getting very angry. When you compare career for career, BD is WAYYYYYdown low brother.
By Dr. Dresden
March 30, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
GatorLee, you are obviously delusional. Here, lie down, turn over and let my Romanian nurse Chatzcka take your temperature.
By Atlanta Gator
March 30, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
Dacula Dawg——You may address your comments to me; I am the one who wrote the following:
“If he [Donovan] stays in Gainesville … . he can become the Steve Spurrier-Dean Smith-Bear Bryant-Mike Krzyzewski legendary basketball coach of the Gators.” The emphasis is mine. My statement is a far cry from saying that Billy has become the equal of Coach K, but there are obviously a few Wildcats fans who believe that Billy has some potential as a coach; otherwise, we wouldn’t be having this conversation, would we?
Gentle suggestion: you may want to actually read what others write before you attempt to critique it.
By GatorLee
March 30, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
I am comparing Billy’s first 11 years a UF vs Coach K’s frist 11 years. Not coach K’s full career. The programs were in about the same shape when they arrived. They have very similary W/L records (I think MK had 4 more W’s than BD). Number of final 4s, number of National Championships.
By D Ellis
March 30, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Whoever Comapres Coach K with Billy D obviously has no idea what they are talking about period…..are you seriuos…Gator Lee you have officialy been branded on this blog as a complete idiot…please do some research and show us all some numbers that would even put those 2 guys in the same gym. BD is a very very very good coach/recruiter…very good coach son…but Coach K he is NOT
By Atlanta Gator
March 30, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
Dacula Dawg——For the record, Billy Donovan is nearly 42 years old, and has been the head coach of the Gators basketball team for 11 seasons. Mike Krzyzewski is 60 years old and has been the head coach of the Blue Devils basketball for 27 seasons.
Duke was a respectable, but hardly “elite” program before Coach K’s arrival in Durham. The same could be said of Kentucky, before Rupp’s arrival in Lexington. So, the question remains: Is Billy Donovan a program builder or is he a program follower?
Rupp, the Bear, Coach K, the Evil Genius, are examples of program builders who left (or will leave) traditions of success upon which others could expand. Rick Pitino, Urban Meyer, Lou Holtz (at ND), and Roy Williams are examples of great coaches in their respective sports, but they are not program builders who created sustained success where none had existed before.
Billy Donovan is at a crossroads in his life and career, and he has to decide: Does he continue to build something special in Gainesville, or does he chase someone else’s tradition in Lexington. It’s Billy’s decision, his life and his career, and this Gator will be grateful for the success that he has brought to Florida, either way.
All of the disparaging comments about UF, Gator fans, Donovan, his players, the basketball program’s mediocrity before 1994, etc., don’t matter as much as the proverbial hill of beans. As a sports fan, you can either talk about your team’s remote history or you can support building a brighter future for the program. From the perspective of this Gator, the future looks bright.
By WildcatBlue
March 30, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Billy D is no Coach K. Your crazy. Besides, if we wanted Coach K, we’d have him. You gayturds don’t seem to understand that this is baskeball. Enjoy your cute little run while it lasts. We are the class of the SEC and the Country. If we offerd the job to Coach K, he would take it in a second. We have more wins and championships that Duke will ever have. We have the best and biggest arena and a $300 million practice facility. There is Wildcat basketball and then there is everyone else.
By publicenemynumberone
March 30, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
Last time I checked, UF was National Champs in both Men’s Basketball and Football.
Whether Donovan stays or leaves, you can’t change that. Nobody here knows his motivation and without that, everything in this blog is a guess.
UF is having a great run, just let us enjoy it for a little while.
By Mo
March 30, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
IF KENTUCKY BASKETBALL IS SO GREAT, WHY WAS TUBBY SMITH YOUR COACH FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS. AND, UK IS ONLY GOOD BECAUSE THEY DON’T PLAY ANYONE.
By rayray
March 30, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this
As a die-hard UK fan, let me shed some light on this. We would love to have Donovan coach our program. UK, as with all programs with history and legacy, want the best for their teams. Right now Donovan is the best at his trade. He knows UK and the demands of excellence there. He would not be in the shadow of Rupp. Rupp, Hall, Pitino, Smith all have won national championships and no coach will live under the shadow of Rupp. That was too long ago and UK fans have had several titles since he left. We love the Rupp history, but it is not the sole source of our legacy. Donovan will be called a saviour due to the current state of the program. When he shows up to a kids home and says come to a place with history and play for me, the kid will have only three other schools that come close to that(UNC, DUKE, Kansas). UCLA is too spotty. So Billy D. will be going after the top ten kids every year. At UF, he would be playing good to great teams in a 80% full stadium vs. 25k sell-outs at UK. He knows that there are 5 programs that will always be held in the highest esteem in college hoops. UK is one and there is an opening. He will take it because it is his time to be a legend in a legendary school.
By Anonymous
March 30, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
WildcatBlue, if Coach K will take the UK job for the same $ the UK athletic dept is going to offer Billy D, then take Coach K. Good luck with that, Mr. “Class of the SEC.”
By Millwood
March 30, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
WildcatBlue must have been in daycare as a child.
By D Ellis
March 30, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Ok some stats and research for Lee the Gator comparing:
Coach K: first 10 years not including 2007 263 wins Billy D-226-Not a difference of 4 Gator Lee
Coach K-5 Final Fours-THey won the title in year 6…so I equall that to this year for Billy D-Coach K has 5 consecutive Final Fours anda total of 14
Coach Billy D-3-including this year
Coach K has 10 Conference Tourny titles 5 consecutive Billy D-3 Conference tourny titles
Coach K-3 NC-BEEN TO 9 NC games Billy D-1 NC-Been to 2 NC games
Coach K-Winningest NCAA tourny Coach ever Billy D-Not-Good one no doubt but not
Coach K-12 count them 12 National Coach of the year awards Billy D-could be wrong but don’t know if he has one but I’ll say none
Now Like I said Caoch Billy D is a very very very good coach….but no Coach K…..
By Cobb Dawg
March 30, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
WildcatBlue: Uh, that’s a $30 million practice gym, NOT a $300 million practice gym. You could replace most NFL stadiums for $300mm.
http://www.ukathletics.com//index.php?s=&urlchannelid=0&urlarticleid=15114&changewellid=2
You might want to save some of those $$ millions for your other mediocre sports programs. Call us in Athens when you when an all-conference sports trophy,
By WildcatBlue
March 30, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
D Ellis- Why don’t you do a little reseach before calling people idiots. In his first 11 season, Coach K went to 8 NCAAs, 5 final Fours, and had one championship. Billy has 9 NCACC, 3 Final Fours, 1 (maybe 2?) championships. Afte r 11 season Coach K was 236-108 (.700). Billy is 259-103 (.720).
What do you think of those numbers, son?
By publicenemynumberone
March 30, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
rayray,
UCLA is spotty? They have been in the final four the last two years. You want a longer view, they have 11 championships (to UK’s 7).
And rayray, you should be careful when posting on blogs, don’t use your real name.
By GatorLee
March 30, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
Ha- I guess I busted my self using an alias! I forgot to swich my name back!
By GatorLee
March 30, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Settle down Cobb Dawg, 1 All-SEC in 15 years? Then again, that is more than UK and everyone else in the SEC except “you know who”.
By GatorLee
March 30, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
D Ellis - You are counting 10 years of Billy’s wins and 11 years of Coach K’s.
Look, I’m not saying Billy is > Coach K. ALl I am saying is that Coach K made a name for himself at a school that was nothing special when he got there. He could have left to a “Elite” school if he wanted to but he made is own legecy. Billy can do the same thing at UF.
By D Ellis
March 30, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Wild Cat Blue-After 11 seasons Coach K had 263 wins-GO TO A WEB SITE AND DO THE MATH-And a 300 million dollar practice arena…..ummm ok thats a nice number…maybe you should get some players to practice in it…. I highly doubt any school in the country has a 300 million dollar practice facility SON. And waht is so good about Kentucky basketball…..I mean are you guys really that good???? Does anyone in the country besides you guys actually think that your program is worth a bag of flaming dog turds???? If you don’t get Billy D…which you won’t….who are you going to get to come and coach that “Great Program”… I know get that actress…that judd chick to coach. Nobody outside of that state thinks Kentucky is any kind of power…..You guys don’t even have a coach….are you putting all your eggs in 1 basket??? How come there isn’t a long list of “Storied” coaches that they are going after…have you thought of who might be the coach after Billy D turns it down?????
I will agree that UK is a good program…but national power they are not Wild Cat Blue….those days are long gone son long gone….it’s time to wake up…it’s 2007 Wild Cat Blue….what exaclty has Kentucky done since the turn of the cntury to be considered a National power and great program?
By WildcatBlue
March 30, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
I said 236 and it is 263. It’s called a typo. EXCUSE ME. The win % is correct at .708
By Boomer
March 30, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Wildcat Blue is obviously trying to yank chains. Nobody not confined in a mental hospital under heavy medication really believes Kentucky is the premier program in the country, or that Coach K would go there if they offered the job. Just a nutjob getting his jollies apparently.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
March 30, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
To “Tanner”:
UF’s program not as good as UK’s? Other than the racist years of A Rupp, we’ve owned you guys the last couple of years and owned the SEC longer than that. The past is over, get over it dude. If all you are doing is hanging on to past glory and past expectations, no wonder Tubby left, you guys really are dilusional…hahahaha. Gators rule the SEC baby, football AND basketball. Your reign is over and the only sorry thing you have to hang on to is to steal OUR coach. How pathetic! LMAO
GO GATORS!!
By CATFORLIFE
March 30, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
ALL I’M SAYING IS THAT OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, TUBBY OPENLY ADMITTED THAT HE WANTED THE 2 OR 3 STAR PLAYERS THAT HE COULD DEVELOP AND THAT WOULD STAY 4 YEARS. HE CONTINUELY WOULD NOT RECUIT THE 4 OR 5 STARS. SURE THERE WOULD BE THE INITIAL CONTACT, THEN TOKEN CONTACT THERE AFTER UNTIL THEY DECIDED ON ANOTHER SCHOOL. I WATCHED AN INTERVIEW OF BRANDON WRIGHT (UNC) WHO SAID THAT HIS 1ST CHOICE WAS UK BUT AFTER THE INIATIAL CONTACT, WAS NEVER REALLY CONTACTED BY SMITH OR THE ASSISTANTS. BACK BEFORE TUBBY LEFT PITINO ON MIKE AND MIKE IN THE MORNING SAID IT BEST. “TUBBY WILL BE OK IF HE WILL LISTEN TO HIS ASSISTANTS AND RECRUIT THE BEST PLAYERS, ITS GREAT TO WANT TO RECRUIT 2 AND 3 STARS PLAYERS TO KEEP THEM 4 YEARS AND GET THEIR DEGREE, BUT YOU CAN’T WIN AT THIS LEVEL WITH THAT TYPE OF RECRUITING”. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WHOMEVER BECOMES COACH AT UK WILL RECRUIT THE BEST TALENT AND GET THEM BECAUSE OF THE TRADITION, JUST ASK BRANDON WRIGHT, CHRIS LOFTON, WHO ACTUALLY CONSIDERED WALKING ON AT UK BUT WAS TOLD HE MOST LIKELY WOULD NOT GET MUCH PLAYING TIME. WHAT!!! COREY BREWER (WHO EXPRESSED INTEREST IN COMING TO UK BUT WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH ACCORDING TO TUBBY) A STARTER EACH FOR DUKE, UNC,UCONN,TN,XAVIER,FL,LSU,UCLA,VANDY, KANSAS AND EITHER MICHIGAN OR MICH ST WAS CONTACTED INIATALLY BUT ONLY TOKEN CONTACT AFTER THAT. THAT HAS BEEN UK’S DILEMMA OVER THAT LAST FEW YEARS. THE NEXT HEADCOACH WILL NOT BACK OFF AND THE UK’S TRADITION WILL BRING THEM IN…JAY WRIGHT WILL GET THE JOB DONE
By ukalltheway
March 30, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
billy.d is going to kentucky.donovan is gonovan
By BUSHWACKER
March 30, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this
If you idiots would quit asking the same questions over and over and over even after he stated he already addressed the issue with his team it would go away and not be a distraction.
No matter what he says you guys are not going to let it go so he IS DOING THE RIGHT THING BY NOT RESPONDING to anyone except his team.
By Dacula Dawg
March 30, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
Atlanta Gator:
Go suck an egg. Ignorance is a weak virtue.
By GatorLee
March 30, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
CATFORLIFE - How many stars did Noah, Hump, Richard, Green and Horford have? Not 5. None of them were burger boys. The only burger boy on the team is Brewer. As for the rest of your post, I stopped reading after a few lines because it is long, boring AND IN CAPS!
By CATFORLIFE
March 30, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
To all the dilusional gators fans (Vent King)who think they are in the same league as UK as far as nationwide appeal. According to several of the top manufacturers, Russell athletics etc. And some of the largest retail chains in 2005-2006. The largest sales per team with nationwide appeal year in and year out in order: New York Yankees, North Carolina Tar Heels, Kentucky Wildcats, Duke. Chicago Bulls was #1 for years with Jordan, but have since dropped out. These teams share approx 40@ of the market, with the Yankees staying #1 every year and the 3 universities swapping back and forth from year to year. No other teams were popular enough to mention. No where in this article did they mention the world dominating gators. Lets see if you can keep your trap shut now (Vent King). The program has gradually went down since Pitino due to terrible recruiting but those days are over.You can guarentee that the next coach whomever it is will be a topnotch recruiter.
By CATFORLIFE
March 30, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
SORRY GATORLEE, I DIDN’T REALIZE YOU COULDN’T READ LARGE LETTERS. DO YOU THINK THAT IT IS A BIRTH DEFECT. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT COUNSELING. MAYBE IT WAS ALL THOSE YEARS OF BEING THE DOORMAT OF THE SEC IN BASKETBALL. WHO KNOWS. MAYBE WITH A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP YOU’LL FEEL FINE IN THE MORNING.
By ukwldcts_1
March 30, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
By Mo “IF KENTUCKY BASKETBALL IS SO GREAT, WHY WAS TUBBY SMITH YOUR COACH FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS. AND, UK IS ONLY GOOD BECAUSE THEY DON’T PLAY ANYONE.”
Are you KIDDING me???
Let me say this. I have no idea if BD will come here to UK or not. I really don’t. NOBODY does. I do agree with others when they say that all this hype and hoopla over who will be our next coach should wait till after the Final Four.
But to say that UK is good only because they don’t play anyone?? PLEASE.
Did you SEE UK’s schedule for 06-07?? It was by far one of THE hardest schedules, if not the hardest, that ANY team had this season, particularly in the SEC. Do yourself a favor and educate yourself by looking at UK’s schedule for this past regular season.
Personally, speaking as a True Blue UK Wildcat’s fan (for over twenty years now), I get a little tired and annoyed of reading all the garbage about UK fans and how hated UK is by fans of other teams (i.e. FLORIDA, DUKE, etc.). There is nothing wrong with being a sports fan for your college of choice. But please, at least have some scruples and decency when blogging about other teams. And please, at least KIND OF know what you’re talking about before spouting off. You’re just making yourself look even more ignorant.
I live in Big Blue Nation. I’m PROUD of my Cats. I’m proud of Tubby for the job he did here these past ten years and wish him the best. Kentucky Wildcat fans don’t expect to win every game. We expect excellence. We uphold tradition. And we follow and support our team, especially in the face of adversity and turnoil. True fans stick with their team through good and bad. That’s a UK fan. I would love to see BD here to lead UK back to the top, where they belong. If he doesn’t, that’s okay too. We will find someone who will and be PROUD to do it. Kentucky basketball is a legacy that will live on and be built upon. And that’s a fact no matter what anyone says.
By ukalltheway
March 31, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
thats right!ukwldcts_1