Colleges

Poof! Donovan's gone

His heart seemingly at UF, coach leaves for the Magic.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published June 1, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Brian Cassella] Billy Donovan leaves the University of Florida after leading the Gators to back-to-back National championships. John Romano: Legacy is out the door, too Orlando Magic news conference, 11 a.m.; UF news conference, 4 p.m.; Both live on Sun Sports, rebroadcast 7:30-9 p.m

ORLANDO - Billy Donovan is following his heart again, but this time it's leading him out of Gainesville.

Less than two months after he turned down the then-vacant Kentucky coaching job, saying he was staying at Florida because he had followed his heart, the Gators coach is leaving to become coach of the Magic.

He reportedly will receive $27.5-million over five years.

Donovan, 42, is scheduled to be introduced by the NBA team at a news conference at 11 this morning, then return to Gainesville for a news conference at 4. He did not answer repeated calls to his cell phone Thursday.

"We certainly wish this run could have gone on forever; it's been an incredible privilege to be a part of, " Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement late Thursday. "We're indebted to Billy Donovan. We hired him 11 years ago to build Florida basketball, and he did that beyond anyone's expectations. We'll miss him as a coach, but we'll always be friends and remain close to Billy and his family."

Foley told the Orlando Sentinel: "The Magic hit him at the perfect time. I think he felt that if he were ever going to do it, now was the time. I also think the college lifestyle and the recruiting had begun to wear on him."

The conclusion of Donovan's tenure - 261-103 record over 11 seasons, nine straight 20-win seasons and 2006 and 2007 national titles - ends weeks of speculation, beginning with the Kentucky job in April and including an informal interview with the Grizzlies last month.

Last week, the winningest coach in Florida history sought to quell Magic rumors: "My focus is on coaching at the University of Florida. I look forward to sitting down with Jeremy and Dr. Bernie Machen and finalizing a contract in the very near future."

The timing couldn't be worse for the Gators. A top recruit, guard Jai Lucas, son of former NBA player and coach John Lucas, waited until two weeks ago to sign.

"Aww, man, " Lucas told Cox News Service repeatedly from his home in Houston. "That's a big blow, because you know, that's who I was coming in and expecting to play for.

"It's kind of weird, because he told me he wasn't going anywhere, " said Lucas, whose letter of intent is binding regardless of who coaches the Gators. "But things happen, and I'm sure if he does take it, it's the best thing he could do for his family."

Several of Donovan's two-time national champion players were in Orlando for the NBA predraft camp. Center Al Horford said he talked to Donovan on Wednesday to wish him a happy birthday and "he seemed happy." Joakim Noah said he was stunned but, "I support Coach D, regardless." Corey Brewer said he knew the NBA would lure Donovan away some day, but he didn't expect it to be so soon. And guard Taurean Green said he's happy for Donovan, but as for the recruits, "I feel for those guys."

Former UF assistant and current VCU coach Anthony Grant, Kansas coach Bill Self and Marquette coach Tom Crean are among the possible successors being mentioned.

"I'm very happy at Marquette, " said Crean, who is in Orlando. "... Florida has always been an excellent job. It's one of the great positions in basketball. There are some great ones. I feel like I've got one."

Several analysts said Florida won't have trouble attracting a solid replacement, but ESPN's Dick Vitale warned:

"To replace Billy would be a nightmare for whoever would come in after two national titles. But the one thing that Jeremy Foley would do is put a package together that will be exciting, and they will not be short of candidates."

As Donovan prepares to replace Brian Hill, who was fired after consecutive losing seasons, questions are being raised about why it took Florida so long to finalize his contract. President Bernie Machen said Thursday that the contract was finalized.

"Billy will tell you the contract has been done a long time, " said Machen, who added Donovan will be missed, but "there's always a next."

Donovan joins a long list of former college coaches who have made the jump to the NBA, most unsuccessfully, including his mentor, Louisville coach Rick Pitino. But ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said the move to Orlando makes sense for Donovan.

"It's a good opportunity, " he said. "There's a good nucleus of young players. They made the playoffs. And they're in the Eastern Conference. ... If it's something he wants to try, I applaud him for trying, and I know he can be successful."

Times staff writer Brian Landman contributed to this report. Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.

[Last modified June 1, 2007, 01:33:27]