Donovan returns to FLA, Magic hire Stan Van Gundy instead

[FillyCheezeSteak]

I just heard that the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Billy Donovan has met with the Magic this morning and they offered him a STUPID contract and they expect him to take the offer in the next few days and become the coach of the Orlando Magic. This is a huge deal in both NBA terms and college terms. I will repost this in the NCAA thread so lets talk about what this means for Free Agency, the draft and how the Eastern Conference will look with Donovan at the helm?

[Glenn]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...coll=orl-magic

Billy Donovan expected to become Orlando Magic's next coach

Brian Schmitz and Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted May 31, 2007, 3:01 PM EDT

Billy Donovan is expected to become the next coach of the Orlando Magic after he was presented with a substantial contract offer, officials with the NBA team told the Orlando Sentinel.

Donovan, 42, is coming off back-to-back NCAA titles with the Florida Gators. He was in the midst of negotiations for a contract extension at Florida when the offer arrived.

Donovan would be replacing Brian Hill, who was fired last week after back-to-back losing seasons. Two league sources had told the Sentinel on Tuesday that the Magic had been in contact with Donovan's agent, Lonnie Cooper. When asked about the job Wednesday, though, Donovan said he had not spoken with the Magic.

The University of Florida had been making plans to announce Donovan's contract extension next week. On Wednesday night, though, the Magic made a firm offer to Donovan.

Donovan would become the eighth head coach of the franchise.

The Gators beat Ohio State this spring in the national championship game for their second title in a row, but he was losing his top six players.

Donovan repeatedly has said that the NBA "intrigued him,'' but also said he was happy with the college game. Donovan has no NBA coaching experience, but he played briefly with the New York Knicks for coach Rick Pitino.

Before coming to the Gators, he was the head coach at Marshall University.

[Glenn]

Nice job on the scoop, Filly.

Still crickets on ESPN.com

[Wizzle]

he already knows how to handle paid athletes so that will not be an adjustment

[micknugget]

6 years totalling $36 million

[Glenn]

I heard 5 years at $25.5m

Either way, that's a lot of jack

[Fool]

For a guy who's never coached in the NBA correct? He's getting a better team than most college coaches come in with but he's definately overpaid.

[Laxation]

Hmm... I wonder why?

Sources close to Fox Sports along with ESPN's Andy Katz say that Billy Donovan is having second thoughts about coaching the Orlando Magic and wants to go back to Gainesville.

According to a source, Donovan was forced to make a quick decision and now regrets it.

Apparently, Donovan has approached both the Magic and the University of Florida about getting out of the deal.

"Speculation centered on VCU coach and former Gators assistant Anthony Grant replacing Donovan quickly. In fact, Grant was slated to meet with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley on Saturday morning."

"However, shortly after landing in Virginia, Foley had to return due to an emergency. One source confirmed that the emergency was that Donovan contacted Foley about returning."

EDIT
And he's gone...

The Orlando Magic have decided to let Billy Donovan out of his contract with the team.

"It's over," said a source close to the situation.

Donovan shockingly had second thoughts about leaving the Gators to become the Magic's head coach this weekend.

The Magic did try to change his mind but have now apparently decided to let Billy Donovan go.

It is expected will turn to former Miami Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy who was rumored to be the club's second choice behind Donovan.

[Uncle Mxy]

The Orlando Tragic will never succeed under Amway management.

[Glenn]

Word is that Donovan got freaked out when his new co-workers, whom he thought were his friends, tried selling him a bunch of Amway products.