Colleges

Titles in bag, will Donovan pack his?

Amid rumors, Gators coach says Kentucky hasn't contacted him.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published April 4, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Zach Boyden-Holmes] Coach Billy Donovan is surrounded my media and questions about his future plans as the Gators return to Gainesville Tuesday afternoon.

ATLANTA - The most nagging question on the minds of Florida basketball fans right now will remain unanswered for at least a little while longer.

Will Billy Donovan remain at Florida or become the new head coach at Kentucky?

Donovan said during a Tuesday morning news conference that he has not had any conversations with Kentucky administrators about their vacant head coaching job and, for now, he plans on being at Florida next season.

"I haven't talked to anybody," Donovan said at a news gathering to accept the $35,000 crystal Siemens Trophy for winning the national championship. "My focus right now at this point in time is on the University of Florida. It's hard for me to comment about anything. I think maybe people feel I'm being coy or trying to move around questions. I'm not doing that. There's nothing for me to say at all. I haven't talked to anybody, I haven't spoken to anybody so, yeah, my intentions are to be at the University of Florida and coach their basketball team."

Donovan denied reports that his agent has talked with a search firm working on Kentucky's behalf.

If Kentucky is going to make a run at Donovan, it likely will have to be soon. Donovan will be in Huntington, W.Va., today to speak at Marshall University's Big Green club; on Friday he'll join the team for the public celebration at the O'Connell Center, then Saturday he leaves for a previously planned family vacation to the Dominican Republic to celebrate his father-in-law's 70th birthday.

Donovan's father said Monday night that Billy hadn't discussed the job because he's been completely focused on helping his team win a second consecutive national title.

"I don't think there's much to think about, but that's going to be up to him," Bill Donovan said. "I always tell him as a son of mine to go with his heart. Do what makes you happy. Everyone is going to say, go, don't go. That's got no bearing on it. What's going to keep you happy? Do what's in your heart, that's what I always say. Florida is at the top of the mountain right now. He's got a great situation."

The players, including the four juniors who have not yet publicly said whether they will return next season, have varying opinions.

"Oh, he'll stay," junior center Al Horford said. "I know. He'll stay. I'm positive. Me and coach are cool. I know what time it is."

"I hope he stays," junior forward Corey Brewer said. "Hey, we won back-to-back titles, why should he leave? But you never know. ... I love Coach, I hope he doesn't go anywhere. He'll be a Gator, I'm pretty sure. I don't think Coach is going nowhere. Why go to Kentucky? When was the last time they won a national title?" He later laughed and said, "I'm just kidding."

Donovan continued to say he hasn't given any thought to the job because he hasn't been contacted by anyone, but when asked if he's interested ...

"I don't know," he said. "I really don't know. ... My main focus right now is on the University of Florida and enjoying what just happened."

If Donovan decides to leave, senior forward Chris Richard said the program will survive.

"There's a lot of great coaches out there," Richard said. "Coach Donovan is the best coach in the country, to me. He brought us to this point. ... If he sticks around, the program will be great, but if he leaves the program will be great. The foundation is already laid. Just like North Carolina is always going to be a great program, Duke, Kansas. A lot of great teams have great programs (with) different coaches."

As Florida fans worry, the rumors continue to swirl. Donovan won't join the debate.

"I keep getting questions, but I think it's out of line for me to comment and talk about it because I'm commenting on something that I have no basis to comment on," he said.'

[Last modified April 3, 2007, 23:04:35]