GAINESVILLE — Billy Donovan, the coach who took over a fledgling Florida basketball program in 1996 and turned it into a national power, is leaving to become the coach of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder, walking away after 19 seasons and two national titles at Florida.
Donovan, 49, becomes the third head coach for the Oklahoma City franchise. Although the Thunder did not release terms of his contract per team policy, Donovan agreed to a five-year deal worth $30 million, ESPN and Yahoo Sports reported.
"I am honored and humbled to be named the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. I knew that it would take a unique opportunity to leave the University of Florida and that is clearly how I look at this situation …" Donovan said. "It is of course bittersweet as the University of Florida will always hold a very special place in my heart and in my family's. … I have a deep appreciation for what the University of Florida will always mean to me and I'll forever be a Gator."
Last year, he turned down opportunities from both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, but when Oklahoma City came calling last week, Florida athletic officials knew the situation might not end in their favor.
Donovan has a prior relationship with Thunder general manager Sam Presti, and inherits a team with two of the league's best players — Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Because of that, the job comes with huge expectations. Durant can become a free agent at the end of the 2016 season, and championship expectations are high.
"While we created a comprehensive analysis regarding the qualities we were looking for, it became quite evident that Billy was the ideal fit for the Thunder as we look to transition our team into the future," Presti said.
But the Thunder's gain is Florida's loss.
Before Donovan's arrival, Florida had one SEC title in 77 seasons of play. He led the Gators to six in his 19 seasons, including three over his final five seasons.
"While we are certainly extremely sad to see Billy go, the primary feeling I have is one of gratitude for what he has done here at Florida," Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley said. "Billy and Florida basketball have been synonymous for a long time now, and our program would not have reached the heights it has without him. The legacy he leaves here is one of personal and professional excellence. … There is no better person than Billy Donovan. He will truly be missed."
This past February, Donovan won his 500th career game, joining Bob Knight as the only coaches to reach that milestone before their 50th birthday.
A three-time SEC Coach of the Year (2011, 2013, 2014), Donovan led the Gators to the No. 1 ranking in the nation five different seasons, including starting and finishing the 2006-07 in the top position. His 2013-14 team set school records of 36 wins and a 30-game winning streak. He had 16 consecutive 20-win seasons and 17 postseason appearances in a row, both streaks which ended with a 16-17 record this past season.
Among the possible replacements for Donovan are Dayton's Archie Miller, Minnesota coach Richard Pitino and Xavier's Chris Mack. Pitino is a former Gators assistant under Donovan and the son of Donovan's mentor Rick Pitino. Foley will now discover whether coaches consider Florida a highly-coveted job, or whether it was Donovan that made the job special.
"Like we have with other recent searches, we will have an internal working group that will identify candidates to be our next head coach," Foley said. "I don't intend to put a timeline on our hire, but we will work hard to have the right person in place over the coming weeks."
Contact Antonya English at aenglish@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Gators.
Donovan, 49, becomes the third head coach for the Oklahoma City franchise. Although the Thunder did not release terms of his contract per team policy, Donovan agreed to a five-year deal worth $30 million, ESPN and Yahoo Sports reported.
"I am honored and humbled to be named the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. I knew that it would take a unique opportunity to leave the University of Florida and that is clearly how I look at this situation …" Donovan said. "It is of course bittersweet as the University of Florida will always hold a very special place in my heart and in my family's. … I have a deep appreciation for what the University of Florida will always mean to me and I'll forever be a Gator."
Last year, he turned down opportunities from both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, but when Oklahoma City came calling last week, Florida athletic officials knew the situation might not end in their favor.
Donovan has a prior relationship with Thunder general manager Sam Presti, and inherits a team with two of the league's best players — Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Because of that, the job comes with huge expectations. Durant can become a free agent at the end of the 2016 season, and championship expectations are high.
"While we created a comprehensive analysis regarding the qualities we were looking for, it became quite evident that Billy was the ideal fit for the Thunder as we look to transition our team into the future," Presti said.
But the Thunder's gain is Florida's loss.
Before Donovan's arrival, Florida had one SEC title in 77 seasons of play. He led the Gators to six in his 19 seasons, including three over his final five seasons.
"While we are certainly extremely sad to see Billy go, the primary feeling I have is one of gratitude for what he has done here at Florida," Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley said. "Billy and Florida basketball have been synonymous for a long time now, and our program would not have reached the heights it has without him. The legacy he leaves here is one of personal and professional excellence. … There is no better person than Billy Donovan. He will truly be missed."
This past February, Donovan won his 500th career game, joining Bob Knight as the only coaches to reach that milestone before their 50th birthday.
A three-time SEC Coach of the Year (2011, 2013, 2014), Donovan led the Gators to the No. 1 ranking in the nation five different seasons, including starting and finishing the 2006-07 in the top position. His 2013-14 team set school records of 36 wins and a 30-game winning streak. He had 16 consecutive 20-win seasons and 17 postseason appearances in a row, both streaks which ended with a 16-17 record this past season.
Among the possible replacements for Donovan are Dayton's Archie Miller, Minnesota coach Richard Pitino and Xavier's Chris Mack. Pitino is a former Gators assistant under Donovan and the son of Donovan's mentor Rick Pitino. Foley will now discover whether coaches consider Florida a highly-coveted job, or whether it was Donovan that made the job special.
"Like we have with other recent searches, we will have an internal working group that will identify candidates to be our next head coach," Foley said. "I don't intend to put a timeline on our hire, but we will work hard to have the right person in place over the coming weeks."
Contact Antonya English at aenglish@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Gators.
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