Billy Donovan to OKC

[scottwillrazbackfan1]

Billy D hired his replacement.. Can anyone say "Anthony Grant"... Makes you wonder.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

https://mobile.twitter.com/byDavidGardner

This guy paints a different picture on how close the deal is or isn't

[Hawg Red]

It's a lot closer to half than you think.

Based on.....what, exactly?

[Hawg Red]

1. In terms of GM's having a "fascination" with college coaches (undeservedly), we're just arguing over semantics at this point. To me, it's a fascination because they are looking at two college coaches to fill the two best vacancies, in spite of evidence showing college coaches to be busts in the pros (including Cal already having a history of shooting blanks in the NBA).
2. We'll just have to agree to disagree. Give me the up and comer assistant vs. the college coach any day.

Calipari and Pitino tried their hand at the NBA 20 years ago. A lot has changed since then. Calipari was within the first 10 years of his head coaching career when the Nets hired him. His name and reputation among NBA players has grown tremendously. The NBA is a player's league. Calipari has shown the ability to get high-level talents to buy into a team concept, and that's something that would serve him well in the NBA. This is something he has gained since his first NBA stint.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I don't see a very small handful of college coaches, the elite of the elite, being offered NBA jobs as a fascination. I guys like Scott Drew were being offered jobs, I'd see where you were coming from. It's only logical that Coach K, Calipari, Izzo, and Donovan are considered for jobs in the top basketball league in the world, as they're some of the top coaches in the world.

As for Quin Synder, I'm not sure what we can even consider him. Is a college coach that got an NBA job? Because he was hired by the Jazz as the Hawks head assistant coach. Before that, he served the same role for CSKA Moscow in Russia (Sonny Weems' team). Before that, he was an assistant with the Lakers. Before that, he worked on the 76ers staff. And before that he was a head coach in the D-League. So he's had 5 jobs in the professional ranks since coaching Missouri (6 counting the Jazz). He's had more experiences as a professional coach (in some form) than at the college level, where he was an assistant at Duke and head coach at Missouri.

[Breems]

Stinks for Florida. Donovan was probably the best coach in the SEC.

[Hawg Red]

Stinks for Florida. Donovan was probably the best coach in the SEC.

Probably?

[hoglady]

Billy D hired his replacement.. Can anyone say "Anthony Grant"... Makes you wonder.

Well - I would sure take Grant over Pel,

[ChicoHog]

From this am CBS sports.

http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybasketball/update/25168210/report-thunder-billy-donovan-nearing-agreement

I hope he goes.  UF should always be good based on location but I think they may struggle for a little with him gone.  He is a great recruiter. 

[jbcarol]

 Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  20m 20 minutes ago
Per source, Billy D-Thunder deal not finalized, no decision reached.

Folks, I wasn't refuting @WojYahooNBA report, just refuting an OKC TV report that said the deal was done. Sheesh.


Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA  ·  33m 33 minutes ago

Yahoo Sources w/ @YahooForde: Florida's Billy Donovan is finalizing a multi-year deal to become the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

[The_Iceman]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12789991/billy-donovan-oklahoma-city-thunder-multiyear-deal-coaching-job

Looks like this thing is about to get finalized.

[Karma]

Marshall or Archie Miller are my predictions for a replacement.

[MikePiazza]

Richard Pitino?

[The_Iceman]

Marshall or Archie Miller are my predictions for a replacement.

Richard Pitino?

I could see Miller or Pitino. I don't think Marshall is leaving.

[latrops]

Good article..Lon Kruger is a great example, for sure.

I just don't get the fascination NBA GM's, or maybe owners, have with college coaches.

Where else do you get someone with "upside"?  Is the track record for the Derrick Fishers and Brian Shaws and Steve Cliffords and Byron Scotts any better than the college guys'?  Most of these coaches, even those that get fired, can coach fine.  Those that struggle tend to do so because their team is young or key players are injured or the team simply lacks enough talent overall.  Ultimately, there aren't enough great, established coaches to go around.  Even those great coaches tend to have a HOFer or two to work with.

[Hogberry Snortcake]

https://mobile.twitter.com/byDavidGardner

This guy paints a different picture on how close the deal is or isn't

He's since changed his tune. 

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  7m 7 minutes ago

Billy Donovan has informed Florida AD Jeremy Foley that he is leaving for Oklahoma City Thunder, source told ESPN.

[razorhogLR]

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/593827588751101952

Looks done

[latrops]

Well - I would sure take Grant over Pel,

Grant's 1 NCAAT team in six years trumps Pels 1 out of four?

Either way, I don't assume a major dropoff is guaranteed.  Whether it is Pel or Grant, they will be working with more talent and a better recent history than they had at Arkansas and Alabama.  Florida isn't a rebuild lacking recent tradition....it is ready made to compete whoever the coach is.  It is also possible that these guys learned from some of their mistakes and would/could do a better job with another opportunity.

[jbcarol]

 Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  3m 3 minutes ago

Who's got next at UF? An early list of candidates to replace Billy Donovan - via @Gator_sports http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20150430/ARTICLES/150439980?tc=cr ...

Florida assistant coach John Pelphrey — Donovan is reportedly pushing for Pelphrey to replace him, and Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley has a strong relationship with the former Kentucky standout player. Pelphrey began his second stint as a UF assistant in 2011, and hiring him would be a nod to keeping UF's ninth-ranked 2015 recruiting class together. But would it benefit the program long term?

Some longshot candidates to replace Billy D -- Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall and Villanova's Jay Wright. Would need to pony up $$$$

[bighog2255]

Either way, I don't assume a major dropoff is guaranteed.  Whether it is Pel or Grant, they will be working with more talent and a better recent history than they had at Arkansas and Alabama.  Florida isn't a rebuild lacking recent tradition....it is ready made to compete whoever the coach is.

Yes Florida has had lots of success, but that was mainly because of Billy. No matter who their coach is, their facilities and fan base for basketball is terrible. The "O-dome" is a dump. Billy has done more with less than any school that has had recent success. Their is almost certainly going to be a drop-off

[The_Bionic_Pig]

One recruit *Noah Dickerson* already stating he may not attend U of F with no Donavan.

[Inhogswetrust]

Grant's 1 NCAAT team in six years trumps Pels 1 out of four?

Either way, I don't assume a major dropoff is guaranteed.  Whether it is Pel or Grant, they will be working with more talent and a better recent history than they had at Arkansas and Alabama.  Florida isn't a rebuild lacking recent tradition....it is ready made to compete whoever the coach is.  It is also possible that these guys learned from some of their mistakes and would/could do a better job with another opportunity.

That's a little misleading.

Grant has the better record:

Grant has three tourney appearance in 9 years and Pel only 2 in 9 as head coaches.
Grant overall is .637 and Pel is only .542 as head coaches.

[Inhogswetrust]

Yes Florida has had lots of success, but that was mainly because of Billy. No matter who their coach is, their facilities and fan base for basketball is terrible. The "O-dome" is a dump. Billy has done more with less than any school that has had recent success. Their is almost certainly going to be a drop-off

Usually is when a very good coach leaves. The old axiom of never follow the legend but follow the guy that follows the legend is usually true.

[Nipsey Mussle]

Grant has the better record:

Grant has three tourney appearance in 9 years and Pel only 2 in 9 as head coaches.
Grant overall is .637 and Pel is only .542 as head coaches.

Neither Grant nor Pel will replace Billy the Kid (still an acceptable nickname?). Any discussion is an exercise in futility. Howland, Barnes, Avery Johnson have been hired by sub par SEC programs...but UF settles for Pel? Not happening....
I'll guess Archie Miller

[BadHog]

I'm glad he's gone!

[UNCLE BACK]

We must get Kevaughn now!

[dbhog]

Neither Grant nor Pel will replace Billy the Kid (still an acceptable nickname?). Any discussion is an exercise in futility. Howland, Barnes, Avery Johnson have been hired by sub par SEC programs...but UF settles for Pel? Not happening....
I'll guess Archie Miller

CBS Sports says Archie Miller (Dayton), Richard Pitino (Minnesota) or Chris Mack (Xavier)

[dbhog]

We must get Kevaughn now!

Ain't happening.  Florida will probably not let him go to an SEC school in order to be released from his letter of intent.

[UNCLE BACK]

Ain't happening.  Florida will probably not let him go to an SEC school in order to be released from his letter of intent.

Usually a coach leaving before a kid ever gets to campus warrants a release to any school.

[Inhogswetrust]

Neither Grant nor Pel will replace Billy the Kid (still an acceptable nickname?). Any discussion is an exercise in futility. Howland, Barnes, Avery Johnson have been hired by sub par SEC programs...but UF settles for Pel? Not happening....
I'll guess Archie Miller

You are talking about the same AD that hired Ron Zook..........................enough said.

[Inhogswetrust]

Neither Grant nor Pel will replace Billy the Kid (still an acceptable nickname?). Any discussion is an exercise in futility. Howland, Barnes, Avery Johnson have been hired by sub par SEC programs...but UF settles for Pel? Not happening....
I'll guess Archie Miller

I agree. However I thought it was interesting the other poster I responded to said what he said. I wouldn't put anything past Foley though. He has been known to take risks.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Usually a coach leaving before a kid ever gets to campus warrants a release to any school.

This. It's normally only transfer they get strict on.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

He's since changed his tune. 

Clearly the ESPN source was greater than his SI source

[earshot]

Please let it be Pelphrey!

[intelligence]

You are talking about the same AD that hired Ron Zook..........................enough said.

I think there was an AD at arkansas who hired HDN and Pel... can't remember the guys name

[40MINSOFHELL]

Haha screw Florida

[Doug]

If you follow me on Twitter, check out my latest Tweet. If you don't follow me, link is below.

[The_Iceman]

We must get Kevaughn now!

When Kevaughn committed to Florida, Arkansas was a program that had very little momentum. Since then, we were the SEC Regular Season and SEC Tournament Runner-Ups. We Got to the NCAA Tournament and won a game. We have a brand new practice facility about to open, the fan support is rising, and a lot of scoring opportunities next season just opened up.

He may just not want to come to Arkansas, and that would be understandable. There are a lot of good programs out there that want him. But hopefully we will at least talk to him if he opens back up.

[The_Iceman]

If you follow me on Twitter, check out my latest Tweet. If you don't follow me, link is below.

LOL! They be 

[jbcarol]

 Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  36m 36 minutes ago

Here's the Thunder release on Billy Donovan being named coach: http://tinyurl.com/n4vay27

[poloprince]

BillY D said he was sick of recruiting.

[dhornjr1]

I'm a little surprised he took the OKC job. He must feel confident that they will re-sign Durant and Westbrook.

Or, he may know something about where the Thunder will be drafting this year. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Oklahoma City "defy the odds" (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) and get the #1 overall pick.

[Hog1952]

When the going gets tough it's time to cut out....just ask Meyer.

[WarPig88]

Calipari and Pitino tried their hand at the NBA 20 years ago. A lot has changed since then. Calipari was within the first 10 years of his head coaching career when the Nets hired him. His name and reputation among NBA players has grown tremendously. The NBA is a player's league. Calipari has shown the ability to get high-level talents to buy into a team concept, and that's something that would serve him well in the NBA. This is something he has gained since his first NBA stint.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I don't see a very small handful of college coaches, the elite of the elite, being offered NBA jobs as a fascination. I guys like Scott Drew were being offered jobs, I'd see where you were coming from. It's only logical that Coach K, Calipari, Izzo, and Donovan are considered for jobs in the top basketball league in the world, as they're some of the top coaches in the world.

As for Quin Synder, I'm not sure what we can even consider him. Is a college coach that got an NBA job? Because he was hired by the Jazz as the Hawks head assistant coach. Before that, he served the same role for CSKA Moscow in Russia (Sonny Weems' team). Before that, he was an assistant with the Lakers. Before that, he worked on the 76ers staff. And before that he was a head coach in the D-League. So he's had 5 jobs in the professional ranks since coaching Missouri (6 counting the Jazz). He's had more experiences as a professional coach (in some form) than at the college level, where he was an assistant at Duke and head coach at Missouri.

Since when is Kevin Ollie elite?

[Hawg Red]

Since when is Kevin Ollie elite?

Guy that won a National Championship?

[Pig in the Pokey]

Since when is Kevin Ollie elite?

since he won a national championship.

[Inhogswetrust]

BillY D said he was sick of recruiting.

Wait until he has to try to replace Durant and Westbrook at some point. Recruiting might be a piece of cake compared to that!

[Dr. Starcs]

Wonder if billy d felt Scotty b was given enough time? 

[Inhogswetrust]

since he won a national championship.

Really. Are you gonna stick with that or is that sarcasm? He meant as a COACH. He didn't win one as a player at Uconn or as the coach yet.

[dhornjr1]

Really. Are you gonna stick with that or is that sarcasm? He meant as a COACH. He didn't win one as a player at Uconn or as the coach yet.

He won a national championship as a coach 13 months ago.