http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/loca...ports-headlinesGAINESVILLE -- Florida Coach Billy Donovan said Friday he has neither agreed to a contract extension nor engaged in significant discussion with Athletic Director Jeremy Foley or President Bernie Machen about an extension."Jeremy and I have not reached an agreement," Donovan said. "The school and I have no agreement. I understand there's a process this needs to go through, and I respect that process."Donovan's comments echoed those Foley made Thursday night in response to an ESPN.com report that said Donovan soon would sign a seven-year extension paying him about $3.5 million per year. Such a deal would make him the highest-paid college basketball coach in history. Donovan's current deal runs through 2009.Donovan said he and Foley have discussed parameters of a deal but said he hasn't seen anything close to a finalized contract. A new contract needs the approval of the University Athletic Association's compensation committee, and Machen likely would know about the deal's details as well."What's probably going to happen is Jeremy is going to sit down with the committee, and he's going to sit down with Dr. Machen," Donovan said. "And then Jeremy is going to come down and sit down with me and say, 'Here's where we are. Here's what we're thinking on this.' And I'm fine with how that is going."Asked about his interest in potential NBA openings this offseason, specifically a possible role with the Orlando Magic, Donovan declined comment and referred to his comments about Florida.The ESPN report quoted an anonymous source saying Donovan could sign a new deal soon. Donovan, though, didn't think the announcement of a new deal was imminent."I trust Jeremy," Donovan said. "And I'm understanding of the way Jeremy is going to handle this thing."
I think that Donovan would be stupid to leave Florida, especially to go to the NBA. He is a good college coach and recruiter, but I think he would end up being alot like Rick Pitino in the NBA. He has it made at Florida, can make big money, has his hand on the throat of Florida recruiting. He is looked at as a god at the University of Florida, and can make a legacy for himself there, just like Coach K has done at Duke.
It seems like he might be holding out until lottery, if a team whos offered him(like memphis) gets 1st pick, or even 2nd, he might consider it. Although I would rather have Iavaroni or Larry Brown. Its hard to tell if a college caoch will be good on NBA level, you just kindve gotta see.
Donovan played for Rick Pitino, and learned to coach under Rick Pitino, and we saw how good Rick Pitino did at the NBA level as a coach. He did terrible with the Celtics, and I really think that Donovan would be the same way. He has the same basketball mentality, and has his team run the exact same way. I would expect him to do just the same.
True, but if thats the case it has to work vice versa, and it hasnt in some cases. One close to home is Coach Calipari. He worked under Larry Brown who was great on both levels, but unfortunaly Coach Cal wasnt seen to be that great of a coach on the NBA level. Some say cause of the Bulls and playoffs, some say he wasnt bad. I dont know, but what I do know is it seems he didnt do well. Donovon could come in a be really good. But personaly I dont want to take the chance with my team.
Larry Brown is a different case, he is one of very few coach's to go from college to the NBA, and be a good coach. Most coach's do not do that, and Calipari is an example of a good college coach, that is not NBA material. Donovan I really feel would be the same way, and given that his mentor and the one that taught him about basketball, Pitino really failed I think that Donovan would do the same.
Well, the more and more I read about Iavaroni, the more and more it sounds like hes going to be the Grizzlies coach, and if not him Larry Brown. So Orlando can test him out.But didnt some big prospect just sign with Florida? I doubt hes leaving if so.
