Donovan to be Announced as UK New Coach (Merged rumor)

#77
#77
Volsfan895 said:
Bad move for both parties involved, Kentucky and Donnovan.
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I'm not crazy about the idea either.

The rabid UK fan base has visions of Billy D becoming the replica of his Mentor Rick Pitino. With visions dancing in their heads of full court presses and 3's raining from heaven, and teams wilting before the awe of our presence... while we have an average win margin of 20 points per game. Billy D kisses babies and makes the world in KY ok again.


Only in 3 years we wake up to find that we are still mediocre.

I hope I am dead wrong and this is all a bad dream, but I fear its not.
 
#79
#79
Somewhere right now, Tubby Smith is having a beer and toasting to the demise of Billy G. I never liked how UK handled that situation and they got their just dessert.
 
#83
#83
asketball beat writer
Billy D's future

Rumblings in the Bluegrass State have Billy Gillispie out as Kentucky basketball coach as soon as Friday, with Florida coach Billy Donovan already agreeing in principle to become his hand-picked successor.

A private plane was tracked from going to Gainesville to Montgomery Airport in Mount Sterling, Ky. (a small airport outside of Lexington) to South Bend, Ind., (where Kentucky played Notre Dame) on Wednesday. Of course, that plane could have been carrying equine supplies. Or it could have been carrying Florida coach Billy Donovan and Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart.

Donovan just completed the second year of a six year extension he signed last October which pays him an average of $3.5 million annually. According to terms of the contract, there is a one-month window (from March 1 to April 1) in which either side could walk away without significant financial recourse. Donovan would need to provide written notification before April 1 to leave. Otherwise, he would have to pay a $500,000 buyout. Donovan would also pass up a $400,000 loyalty bonus.

Another factor in regards to Florida giving Kentucky permission to speak with Donovan could hinge on the availability of ex-UF assistant and current Virginia Commonwealth coach Anthony Grant. Grant is in deep discussions with Alabama in regards to the head coaching position there. A reliable source has relayed that that Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley wants assurances that Grant would be available if Donovan was to leave. It makes sense. Foley said after the fact that Grant was his first and only choice when Donovan left briefly for the Orlando Magic less than two years ago.

Some other factors:

-- Donovan's eldest son, Billy, is in his junior year at St. Francis High in Gainesville. Would Donovan want to uproot his family before his son's senior year?

-- How would Donovan feel about playing/recruiting against his mentor, Louisville coach Rick Pitino, every year? A reliable source has told me that Pitino is trying to talk Donovan out of the move.

-- A reliable athletic department source told me Thursday afternoon that the story at this point has been driven by "media speculation" and that Donovan is currently in the state of Florida.
 
#84
#84
If they hire Billy D it will show that the Wildcat nation is willing to subordinate itself to someone that wanted no part of them just two years ago. That is pitiful for such a proud program.
 
#85
#85
Billy D better produce really quickly, or Wildcat nation will turn on him. I still don't understand why he wouldn't want that nice comfortable job in Gainesville...
 
#91
#91
Lexvol said:
If they hire Billy D it will show that the Wildcat nation is willing to subordinate itself to someone that wanted no part of them just two years ago. That is pitiful for such a proud program.
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"Storied" and "Proud" are two different things.
 
#94
#94
rexvol said:
a guy on ESPN radio called Travis Ford a lock this morning
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Pat Forde said it.

Isn't Travis Ford in his 1st year at OK State.

Im sure something in his contract prevents him from leaving after 1 year
 
#95
#95
An update on the phantom press conference by UK today:


There is no confirmed time or announcement of any presc conference or "announcement" from the university. A lexington news station reported within the last hour that it could still take place this evening, but I've seen no proof. I don't know when we shall hear anything.
 
#96
#96
As much as I have grown to like Turgeon, Billy should have stayed here at aTm. He was a God here despite his personal short comings. I bet, although the money must be nice, he regrets that choice.
 
#98
#98
TXVOL07 said:
As much as I have grown to like Turgeon, Billy should have stayed here at aTm. He was a God here despite his personal short comings. I bet, although the money must be nice, he regrets that choice.
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The Lex media has done a hatchet job on Billy Clyde from day one. I have lost any respect that I ever had for Jerry Tipton.
 
#99
#99
RNVol said:
Pat Forde said it.

Isn't Travis Ford in his 1st year at OK State.

Im sure something in his contract prevents him from leaving after 1 year
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He probably has UK specifically mentioned in his deal as an easy out.

But, I doubt he'll get the job. I seriously doubt they'll offer the job to anyone that the majority of the fanbase does not appear to want. I felt the same way two years ago about every candidate that was shot down on catspause.
 
#100
#100
Well the thing about Billy is, he's a bit of a charmer from the start, and has a certain way about himself behind the scenes. A fan base that lives and dies by their B-Ball coach has their eyes on him all the time. Every word, every sub, every late night dinner, ect...Here, he didnt have those issues because frankly, we were not a " " basketball school. Still not one wholeheartedly, however, he brought us to where we are and I will forever thank him for doing that.
 
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