Second Thoughts? (The Official Billy D Back to UF Thread)

[DenCat]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6883162?MSNHPHMA

This could get interesting.

[DBCAT]

what a bunch of CRAP!!! Not the article, but the idea of him wanting out of Orlando already. If that is the case, then why agree to terms with them to become their new coach? Why not turn them down from the start? If this is true, then whatever tiny bit of respect I still had for Billy Donovan is now totally gone.

[blUK]

ya u dont say u r goin somewhere sign with them and then a few days later cry that u miss home... and if he does come back i will also be happy so we can beat him

[blUK]

Breaking news on ESPNNEWS and the broke in on the Red Sox and Yankees game to report it

[Backrate]

I hear that he has not signed yet. Maybe ricky talked him out of it )
what a twist. Maybe he really wants to coach ky instead?

[FCFS82]

Welcome back Billy D. Good for college ball and if we're going to be the team, lets beat the best.

[blUK]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2892334

[MojoCat21]

Donovan better take a huge hit from the national media in the following weeks if all this crap really goes down. He's a tool, he's mislead kids, a university, a crappy NBA franchise, and I swear if Andy Katz tries to kiss his butt on TV anytime this week, I will hunt him down with the gun that killed Hogzilla.

We got the right Billy. Welcome back retard Billy, it just got a lot more fun to beat you guys again. Can't wait to see some of the creative signs for the game at Rupp next year!!!

[Wildcat Larry]

I bet Anthony Grant is really imipressed with this turn of events. How in the world could anybody ever believe BD again. Our saying about his surrogate father now applies to Billy D ........ if his lips are moving, he's lying.

Oh, and Foley is a pure idiot if he takes him back. :icon_rolleyes:

[Mackcat]

Donovan better take a huge hit from the national media in the following weeks if all this crap really goes down. He's a tool, he's mislead kids, a university, a crappy NBA franchise, and I swear if Andy Katz tries to kiss his butt on TV anytime this week, I will hunt him down with the gun that killed Hogzilla.

We got the right Billy. Welcome back retard Billy, it just got a lot more fun to beat you guys again. Can't wait to see some of the creative signs for the game at Rupp next year!!!
That retard just won 2 titles in a row at a football school, and has owned us as of late. Come on man.

[BlueHatWildcat]

I think someone in a high place needs to tear him a new one. Maybe its the way I was raised but you just can't do this to people.

[Rockober]

I hope Donovan comes back. I believe the media will start making this game very big if he stays ala UNC-Duke during Rivalry week.

[WildcatRick]

I hear that he has not signed yet. Maybe ricky talked him out of it )
what a twist. Maybe he really wants to coach ky instead?

He did sign. According to sources its all in the Magics court now. They will decide by Monday whether to release him and if they will seek damages.

[BGandBLUE]

You show "interest" in every open job, tell your recruits you are a Florida man, then SIGN a contract with the "perfect" NBA opportunity.

Wow you really have become mini me...aka Rick Pitino.

[Mackcat]

Do you really think these things are easy for him? maybe you make 27mill a year?

[Brian McCat]

By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

Billy Donovan informed the Magic and the University of Florida over the weekend that he had second thoughts about agreeing to be Orlando's head coach, but it's unclear whether the NBA team will let him go.
Orlando has a signed contract from Donovan and is making a decision as to whether to let him out of the five-year, $27.5 million deal that he signed on Friday, multiple sources told ESPN.com on Sunday.
If the Magic do let Donovan out of the deal, they have to decide whether to enforce a financial penalty. Both sides aren't talking publicly because there are legal issues involved in such a decision.
Multiple sources said the decision now rests in the hands of the Magic. A final decision could come as early as Monday.


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2892334

[Brian McCat]

Holy cow. It gets more and more intriguing, doesn't it?

[BGandBLUE]

Do you really think these things are easy for him? maybe you make 27mill a year?

No but when I sign a contract....for $27M I would honor it.

Plus I wouldn't continue to screw young men I had made promises and reassurances too, that I would be at Florida, then change my mind...then say you know what maybe I don't want that money.

As Vito Corleone said to Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather..."You can start acting like a man and stop this crying."

[bevcat]

If he is released from the Magic and Foley welcomes him back to UK, I sure hope Donovan likes being the Gator head coach because it will probably be the only job he'll be able to get in basketball after this fiasco.

[sojourner]

If Billy really doesn't want to coach the Magic why would they want him? Coaching requires you to be fully committed and is he isn't, he won't be any good.

[pjquirk]

If Billy really doesn't want to coach the Magic why would they want him? Coaching requires you to be fully committed and is he isn't, he won't be any good.

That's exactly why contracts don't mean all that much as to who stays where unless there are significant penalty clausese.

[UFWildcat]

Really don't have anything to say.

:shrug1:

[BigblueDrew]

It's his life here. He had second thoughts. He CERTIANLY could have handled this better, but he isn't the first Middle Age man to ponder a career change to get cold feet at the prospect. I don't see why the man should be savaged for listening to his gut and going with it. As for contracts, please, they are nearly meaningless in this age of modern sports.

[BigBlueAngus]

I think staying at UF is the right thing to do, But it was the right thing to do BEFORE you take another job, hold a Presser....Talk Crap....etc. Lachlan McClane said he accepted the UK job as well. I guess Billy won't have as many job offers in the very near future.

[84Cat]

Next week, I predict that he'll change his mind again and say that he really wants to coach at Kentucky!

You would think this will affect his future recruiting. He really looks like a fool in this... playing with peoples lives like this.... people he's supposed to care about. Wow!

[Craig the Blueheart]

I thought that the time was right. The guy could have realistically gone to the NBA, flopped, then come back to college and named any job that he wanted. This would have done nothing to hurt his college reputation whatsoever. You never know... the time may have never been better for Donovan to sample the NBA.

[UFWildcat]

I think staying at UF is the right thing to do, But it was the right thing to do BEFORE you take another job, hold a Presser....Talk Crap....etc. Lachlan McClane said he accepted the UK job as well. I guess Billy won't have as many job offers in the very near future.

These are the words out of some Gator fans (my friends) this morning...

"1. Billy is a bold face liar and a hypocrite and can never be trusted again. I can't imagine what kind of conditions Foley is going to put in his contract
2. I feel bad for the 200+ people who bought Magic season tix the last 3 days
3. Maybe Billy felt guilty leaving his recruits and breaking promises to all his players?
4. No NBA teams will ever talk to him again

With that said...welcome home billy. We missed you!"

Disgusting! :tongue3:

[UFWildcat]

More talk...

"1. Billy had the guts to break his iceman status and admit he made the wrong decision despite what he knew everyone would say about him.
2. I don’t feel bad for the 200+ people who bought magic season tix because they’ll get their money back. (Which was only on average 500 bucks anyways)
3. If he wins another championship in the next 10 years you bet your Orlando season tix NBA teams will be talking to him
4. This is one for the good guys, we’re the #1 public university in America … proof that the University of Florida breaks all the preconceived notions that you can’t have football and basketball
5. Eat em’ up Gators"

[UFWildcat]

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Orlando_Magic_Statement_Regard-227306-800.html

Interesting...

And the Saga continues!

[Craig the Blueheart]

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/Orlando_Magic_Statement_Regard-227306-800.html

Interesting...

And the Saga continues!

This is bizzare. This statement certainly indicates to me that nothing is official either way.

[UFWildcat]

This is bizzare. This statement certainly indicates to me that nothing is official either way.

Thats the way I took it.

Looks like Orlando isn't conceding anything...

[Craig the Blueheart]

Thats the way I took it.

Looks like Orlando isn't conceding anything...

I wouldn't if I were them. I also would know in the back of my mind that Billy D will probably never coach there.

[UFWildcat]

I wouldn't if I were them.

Make him squirm! :icon_mrgreen: :tongue3:

[Clam]

I give up: it looks like Donovan is going to make it impossible for us to avoid talking about him. It's like the kid in grade school who acts up every time he's not getting enough attention (i.e. a national champtionship run isn't enough? Flirt with Kentucky! Being an NBA coach isn't enough? Be a college and NBA coach at the same time!) I'm sick of it.

[Craig the Blueheart]

Make him squirm! :icon_mrgreen: :tongue3:

Katz, Donovan's long, lost lover, is indicating that there is no financial recourse for the Magic to pursue... Is there any legal junkies that can verify this assumption?

[Art Vandelay]

I'm glad Donovan is back. It'll be that much more fun to beat the Gators wtih Eddie stalking the sidelines.

[crazzedcats22]

this whole deal is just really bizarre and strange. He's definitely not making any friends (except for UF fans) in this whole ordeal

[UFWildcat]

I'm glad Donovan is back. It'll be that much more fun to beat the Gators wtih Eddie stalking the sidelines.

Now that I can appreciate.

It will definitly be more satisfying next year when we pound them into submission.

[WILD1]

Exactly, "84". I think the U of F folks had better think twice before they agree to take him back as from now on, his name will be rumored each and every time an NBA position becomes available, just as it was with Pitino, Tubby, etc, and recruits will consider this before signing. It could prove disasterous for their future...or maybe not. :shrug1:

[Will Lavender]

Unbelievable.

I just got up, so I haven't seen anything specific, but I wonder if the sticking point is re: his control of the organization. I bet they used Pitino as a model and wanted to wrest everything but coaching duties away from Donovan.

I'm glad he's coming back, though, if it sticks. I can't wait to see Coach Gillispie whip his butt. :icon_mrgreen:

[Mr. T]

To screw over with ones indecision. To cause detriment to others with your constant waffling.

usage:

Man this girl said she would go out with me so I bought a new suit. Now she Donovanized me by cancelling and I can not take it back.

[Bogey1964]

Please come back Billy D. Just will make UK/Florida game that more special. You have become more laughable in lying and deceit as your mentor Slick Rick. Noone will ever believe a word you say. If the news makes this a positive spin, they should all be shot. You have turned the fans of a university and NBA upside down. You better do something to start earning some brownie points in Florida because you have a lot of kissing up to do. Sounds like you would be a good CEO for their voting machine company. Twisted and confused.

[TrueblueCATfan]

I bet Anthony Grant is really imipressed with this turn of events. How in the world could anybody ever believe BD again. Our saying about his surrogate father now applies to Billy D ........ if his lips are moving, he's lying.

Oh, and Foley is a pure idiot if he takes him back. :icon_rolleyes:

POST OF THE YEAR.............just call him Pitino JR...

[Bogey1964]

I really know why he is coming back............After watching Lebron and the Cavs, he and Orlando have no chance in the next 10 years of getting out of the Eastern Conference.

[RxRusty]

I'm glad Donovan is back. It'll be that much more fun to beat the Gators wtih Eddie stalking the sidelines.

My thoughts exactly. :thumbup:

[Mr. T]

What is going to be hilarious is when UF starts getting bounced in the first round again. Call me a cynic, but I just don't buy the fact that BD all of a sudden after 9+ of underachieving years (relative to the talent he was bringing in IMO) in a place all of a sudden overnight became some fantastic John Wooden clone. It's amazing how UF's great run coincides perfectly with the tenures of Brewer, Horford, etc, don't ya think?

None of this is to say that he isn't a really good coach, but not the coaching god some people try to make him out to be.

With all that has gone on lately, we know he didn't fall to far away from the Pitino tree though, huh? Could you imagine all of the BS being spewed if you got BD, P, and K all in the same room?

[Kentucker]

Billy Donovan is now the joke of all basketball, college and pro alike. This emotionally retarded individual has lost credibility with anyone who really loves the sport. What recruit will listen to his "promises" now? As mentioned earlier, Jeremy Foley would be crazy to take him back.

[TrueblueCATfan]

IF I were Lucas I would still leave...who can trust him now..........Run while you can

[TransientAlum]

I have a different take. If Billy is allowed out of the Magic contract, he gave up his one shot to move on. NBA Owners, I believe, would be much much more skittish to take a chance on someone who walks away from their "dream" professional job.

Recruits would look at it as proof positive Billy wants to be at Florida and will not leave.

Personally, I hope he goes to the Magic. Dont think that is reality though, as someone else said, you do not keep a guy who isnt completely committed. I would make him pay to get out of it though, and through the nose.

[RaviMoss#1fan]

i wouldnt let him out of that contract even if he has second thoughts how can u trust a guy like BILLY D Now

[RCS]

It is really hard to leave and come back and have success. Cremmins did the same thing at GT. He took the NC State job, and then backed out and came back to GT. His teams were never the same.
I don't care if he stays or goes, but one thing is for sure, he has proven that above all else, he is incredibly selfish. He held UK hostage for weeks only to not even really talk to them. He recruits Lucas and Patterson right up until the last minutes, only to take the Magic job within a week. Then hours before Grant would more than likely be the new UF head coach, he is trying to squirm out of his newly signed contract and screw over the Magic who come out of this looking foolish and having to start over with a new HC search. You certainly can't say Donovan isn't looking out for #1.

[Bird]

It is really hard to leave and come back and have success. Cremmins did the same thing at GT. He took the NC State job, and then backed out and came back to GT. His teams were never the same.
I don't care if he stays or goes, but one thing is for sure, he has proven that above all else, he is incredibly selfish. He held UK hostage for weeks only to not even really talk to them. He recruits Lucas and Patterson right up until the last minutes, only to take the Magic job within a week. Then hours before Grant would more than likely be the new UF head coach, he is trying to squirm out of his newly signed contract and screw over the Magic who come out of this looking foolish and having to start over with a new HC search. You certainly can't say Donovan isn't looking out for #1.

Yeah, thats the main thing. The man can do what he wants if Flordia is willing to take him back, and Orlando is willing to give him up. But man, Donovan just comes out looking really bad and untrustworthy. From his actions this past few months it kinda looks like he's cracking up under the spotlight.

[UKhoov]

Is there anyway that when he brings the Gators to Rupp next year we can get the annoucer to say:

"And introducing the head coach of the Orlando Mag......errr...uuhhh....Florida Gators. Billy Donovan!":icon_mrgreen:

[Mr. T]

Is there anyway that when he brings the Gators to Rupp next year we can get the annoucer to say:

"And introducing the head coach of the Orlando Mag......errr...uuhhh....Florida Gators. Billy Donovan!":icon_mrgreen:

Man, that would be fantabulous if we could.

[KY---Kenny]

Billy D. is just a punk and this is what punks do. He has NO integrity!

[Josh]

So many people didn't want him to leave so we could dominate them two times a year ... looks like they (and all of us) are going to get a chance to see that.

He had ample time to make a decision on the Orlando job. If he wasn't sure about it he shouldn't have taken it. Just as he shouldn't be running away from this when he gets one shred of doubt about it. Those things happen with new career moves.

So much for him wanting a new challenge.

[BlueRazor]

Maybe it's just me but the more I hear Billy Donovan talk the more I hear Rick Pitino coming out of him.

Telling UF that he will never leave.

Taking the Magic job and telling the fans that he always dreamed of coaching in the NBA and that the challenge is what he wanted.

Telling the Magic he changed his mind and wants to go back to coaching college.

Donovan is one big puppet for Pitino to be lugging around.

[UFWildcat]

For all the flack that UK took for the UMASS debacle, Donovan should receive the same if not more.

But he won't.

Where are his values and integrity?

Not a care in the world who he tramples on to get what "he" wants.

[Josh]

But he won't.

I agree, he won't get nearly the flak he (or anyone else) should get for this. He'll go back to Florida and Andy Katz and the ESPN heads are going to sugar coat it. "He realized he made a bad decision." "He was doing what was best for his family." That may be the case, but there are issues that they probably won't touch on.

[TrueblueCATfan]

For all the flack that UK took for the UMASS debacle, Donovan should receive the same if not more.

But he won't.

Where are his values and integrity?

Not a care in the world who he tramples on to get what "he" wants.

you have a point here..............we were blasted for the UMass debacle..

[UKhoov]

For all the flack that UK took for the UMASS debacle, Donovan should receive the same if not more.

But he won't.

Where are his values and integrity?

Not a care in the world who he tramples on to get what "he" wants.

Thats a great point. You know most of the media guys will be like "...its a tough decision, he should have been at UF all along....people make mistakes...etc, etc."

I doubt if anyone of those guys talks about how selfish this is and how he has screwed with too many people and teams for a long time then doing this to top it all off.

Donovan is like a fish out of water, just flip-floppin around until someone saves him.

[RaleighCat]

Thats a great point. You know most of the media guys will be like "...its a tough decision, he should have been at UF all along....people make mistakes...etc, etc."

I doubt if anyone of those guys talks about how selfish this is and how he has screwed with too many people and teams for a long time then doing this to top it all off.

Donovan is like a fish out of water, just flip-floppin around until someone saves him.

He won't get the flak because it's happened before. Cremmins to South Carolina, Altman to Arkansas, Majerus to USC, etc. Now, it hasn't happened to a Repeat National Championship Coach in his prime like Donovon- but the pundits will give him a pass.
I have no doubt it was a difficult decision. Couple it with our Kentucky opportunity and I'm certain Donovon has had some sleepless nights since making the Final Four. I don't excuse him completely- but I'm not going to crucify him either.
People make mistakes and rushed decisions all the time. Sometimes they can correct them, sometimes not. This will blow over shortly.

[blUK]

this just hit the wires

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/ncaa/06/03/florida.grant.ap/index.html

donovan to be released magic to offer Stan Van Gundy

[Josh]

this just hit the wires

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/ncaa/06/03/florida.grant.ap/index.html

donovan to be released magic to offer Stan Van Gundy

I had heard his name being tossed around. People have their opinions on him, but I would have tried to go after Larry Brown. He may only be there for a couple of years, but I bet he would get quite a bit out of them and make them more respectable. Though, if he coaches again, it will probably be for a more experienced team, I think. But it's an idea.

Not sure how I feel about Van Gundy. I think he's a decent coach. Might do well with them.

[UKATFAN]

The 115 mile drive and the price of gas that changed his mind. Who knows? GO CATS!!!!!

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

The NCAA won't let kids back out of their LOI's, even if the coach leaves, unless they get permission.

Boy, Donovan sets a good example, he signs a contract and backs out 2 days later.

Double standard and a bad example.