<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Orlando Magic Coach Billy Donovan said sayonara to the Florida Gators basketball program during an emotional press conference Friday afternoon on campus -- just hours after being introduced as the NBA team's new coach. Late Friday afternoon in Gainesville, Donovan smiled when recalling his 11 seasons at the school, the last two of which ended with national championships. But he broke down for a moment when he discussed conversations with the players he leaves behind. Click here to find out more! "The last 24 hours haven't been fun," Donovan said as he teared up. "I didn't get a chance to maybe enjoy it the way I would have liked to." UF Athletic Director Jeremy Foley, who joined Donovan at the press conference, said he planned to lead a thorough, and hopefully quick ,coaching search. "You don't want to rush in," he said. "You don't want to make the wrong decision. But the sooner the better. We want to get someone in here who can look these players and recruits in the face and say, 'The world's gonna be all right. Gator Nation's gonna be fine." Earlier in the day at the RDV Sportsplex in Maitland, Donovan walked out to a hero's welcome as he was introduced as the Magic's new coach. Some might consider him the savior of the franchise, but he didn't want to make Friday's news conference in the Orlando area about him. "This isn't about me. This is about a franchise wanting to win and me taking on a new challenge," said Donovan, who left the Florida Gators after 11 years and two national championships. "I could have been safe and stayed in Gainesville, but I wanted the challenge." Donovan and the Magic agreed to terms Thursday on a five-year deal worth about $27.5 million. He replaces Brian Hill, who was fired after two seasons. Donovan had been in negotiations on a new contract with Florida and was thought to be ready to sign that deal next week. "I know some people are going to speculate that this decision had something to do with my contract negotiations with Florida. It had nothing to do with that. I could see the complaints if I went to another college, but this is a totally different situation," he said. "This was a difference phase for me and a different step for me." Now he will try to do what rarely has been done: transfer success from the college game to the pro game. "I'm just a piece of the puzzle," he said. "We're a team trying to accomplish a goal. I have a great work ethic." Donovan understood he could have stayed in Gainesville, but he wanted the challenge. "I didn't know what the future would hold at Florida," Donovan. "How do you grow as a coach and a person? How do I get better? I could have stayed at Florida. That would have been easy decision, a comfortable decision. It's an opportunity for me to grow and develop. With so much publicity on college and professional basketball.''</div> Source: Orlando Sentinel
