GAINESVILLE - Hoping to infuse new ideas into a coaching staff that has been together for a decade, Billy Donovan hired veteran coach Larry Shyatt on Tuesday as an assistant for the Florida men's basketball team.
Shyatt, 53, has 27 years experience and is Donovan's first assistant with Division I head coaching experience. He spent five seasons at Clemson (1998-2003) and one at Wyoming (1997-98) for a combined record of 89-93. Shyatt replaces Tom Ostrom, who has been with Donovan in various capacities for nine seasons. Ostrom was named director of basketball operations.
Although Donovan said his decision was not based on Florida's disappointing first-round losses in the NCAA Tournament two of the past three seasons, he acknowledged it was part of a general evaluation of his staff.
"I just felt like it would be great because I've had a lot of guys with me for a long time," Donovan said. "Anthony (Grant) and Donnie (Jones) have been with me for 10 years and they've done an unbelievable job. But I also think adding freshness, adding newness, new ideas, change, a different perspective and looking at things always makes you better.
"I don't think this is a knee jerk reaction. I can't sit here and tell you that with Larry Shyatt being on our staff now we're just going to reel off the Final Fours, but there's no question that him on board makes us better with his experience."
Shyatt, who worked as a basketball analyst last season, passed up a chance to become an assistant at Virginia to take the UF job.
"Thirteen months ago I said I would never jump back into college coaching unless it was a perfect fit - the opportunity to work with someone I knew and trusted," Shyatt said in a statement. "I've known Billy for a long time, and I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to be a part of Florida athletics and the great tradition he, his staff and the administration have established."
As for the Gators, Donovan said he expects the 2004-05 squad to include guard Anthony Roberson, who had until midnight Monday to declare for the NBA draft. The NBA will not release its full list until later this week.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Donovan hadn't spoken with Roberson, but he was confident the junior guard would return based on earlier conversations. Roberson is at home for the first summer session.
In other staff changes, Florida hired Matt Herring to take over the strength and conditioning program. He replaces Scott Webster. Herring joins the staff after two seasons as strength and conditioning coach for the men's and women's basketball teams at Oklahoma State.
