Billy Donovan to OKC

[The_Iceman]

Surprising. Not sure what his motivation is to leave Florida. Could be good for Arkansas *coughKAcough*

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12605160/billy-donovan-florida-gators-contender-nba-coaching-jobs-offseason-sources?ex_cid=sportscenterTW

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2015/04/nuggets-target-donovan.html

[bighog2255]

I believe you can find this exact article every spring. Hope it materializes this time

[The_Bionic_Pig]

If he's not going he's doing all the necessary preparations to look like he's bolting for here in Orlando.   His parents are right down the road in Ocala (moved from up North)

[Illinihog]

Billy isn't leaving he signed an extension.

An Hour ago
http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/florida-gators-billy-donovan-contract-extension-4-million-salary-through-2020-040215

[The_Iceman]

If he's not going he's doing all the necessary preparations to look like he's bolting for here in Orlando.   His parents are right down the road in Ocala (moved from up North)

I know he had a rough year this year, and his team is losing Frazier, but he has a good group coming back and four 4-stars coming in, including Kevaughn Allen. He is likely to have a solid bounce back year in 2016.

Maybe he knows if the NBA fails for him, he will land on his feet nicely at a new NCAA location.

[GatorHog]

If he's not going he's doing all the necessary preparations to look like he's bolting for here in Orlando.   His parents are right down the road in Ocala (moved from up North)

Ocala wouldn't have been my first choice..

[The_Iceman]

Billy isn't leaving he signed an extension.

An Hour ago
http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/florida-gators-billy-donovan-contract-extension-4-million-salary-through-2020-040215

Nevermind then. Just his agent pulling the old Sexton move.

[bighog2255]

Billy isn't leaving he signed an extension.

An Hour ago
http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/florida-gators-billy-donovan-contract-extension-4-million-salary-through-2020-040215

The "extension" is a formality, as referenced in the article. His buyout remains at $500K, which isn't prohibitive to him taking an NBA job

[Hawg Red]

Billy isn't leaving he signed an extension.

An Hour ago
http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/florida-gators-billy-donovan-contract-extension-4-million-salary-through-2020-040215

Only a 500k buyout. Being reported that the extension is no obstacle to him leaving for the right NBA job.

Steve Alford signed an extension with New Mexico and turned around and took the UCLA job days later.

[Illinihog]

Mike's extension was a formality too, but for some on here it was gospel.

[brenthog]

Lets say he does go as NBA executives are saying he will on ESPN....how would that change Kevaughn Allens recruitment as it stands with Arkansas.

[The_Iceman]

Lets say he does go as NBA executives are saying he will on ESPN....how would that change Kevaughn Allens recruitment as it stands with Arkansas.

He would likely re-open it, since Florida likely won't be an option anymore. Then we can start recruiting him again as a team that just finished 2nd in the SEC, had the SEC player of the year, won 27 games, and was a 2nd round NCAA team. Instead of just a team that was an NIT team hoping to make the NCAAT

[Biggus Piggus]

Billy isn't leaving he signed an extension.

An Hour ago
http://www.foxsports.com/college-basketball/story/florida-gators-billy-donovan-contract-extension-4-million-salary-through-2020-040215

Did you actually read the story? His buyout is relatively tiny.

[jry04]

He would likely re-open it, since Florida likely won't be an option anymore. Then we can start recruiting him again as a team that just finished 2nd in the SEC, had the SEC player of the year, won 27 games, and was a 2nd round NCAA team. Instead of just a team that was an NIT team hoping to make the NCAAT

The issue with Allen isn't that he does not want to come to Arkansas, it is that we have not been recruiting him. He said himself that he considered Arkansas when he decided not to sign with UF, but Mike backed off of him.

[Ham Sandwich]

The issue with Allen isn't that he does not want to come to Arkansas, it is that we have not been recruiting him. He said himself that he considered Arkansas when he decided not to sign with UF, but Mike backed off of him.

That is not true at all, give us a break. Allen DID NOT want to come to Arkansas. Have you actually listened to him speak about this?

We weren't recruiting him bc he was committed. It's common in cbb for coaches to not recruit a committed player.

He didn't sign with UF but he was still committed. He wasn't opening up his recruitment.

[Adam Stokes]

We weren't recruiting him bc he was committed. It's common in cbb for coaches to not recruit a committed player.

I would have no beef if MA went the Bielema route and decided to be "uncommon."  Though I feel if MA and company did decide to back off him, it was because they didn't think they were going to be able to change his mind.

[rzrbackrob]

Pelphrey to the rescue

[Danny J]

Pelphrey to the rescue

Wouldn't that be sweet?

[Danny J]

PS....I am thinking that Cal is gone also regardless of winning it all. He mentioned in an interview a few years ago that UK is the type of job you take for 5+ years then move on. The UK fans in basketball as are bad as Bama football fans. They always want more and more. No way Cal could satisfy that hunger. He is gone.

[pick_DA_EAGLES]

PS....I am thinking that Cal is gone also regardless of winning it all. He mentioned in an interview a few years ago that UK is the type of job you take for 5+ years then move on. The UK fans in basketball as are bad as Bama football fans. They always want more and more. No way Cal could satisfy that hunger. He is gone.

If he wins it all this year, what else is there to prove? Like you said the fans will only want more, even though there isn't much more to be had.

[jgphillips3]

If 40-0 stamped the seal on Calipari leaving, I would absolutely pull for Kentucky this weekend.

[jbmoore15]

Lets say he does go as NBA executives are saying he will on ESPN....how would that change Kevaughn Allens recruitment as it stands with Arkansas.

KA would try to go to another school, but it won't be Arkansas.

[GoHogs1091]

PS....I am thinking that Cal is gone also regardless of winning it all. He mentioned in an interview a few years ago that UK is the type of job you take for 5+ years then move on. The UK fans in basketball as are bad as Bama football fans. They always want more and more. No way Cal could satisfy that hunger. He is gone.

If Calipari leaves, then I could see Kentucky being interested in the following;

Billy Donovan (a last attempt by Kentucky to get Donovan provided he isn't leaving for the NBA)
Gregg Marshall (yes, he just agreed to a deal with WSU, but see what was mentioned earlier in this thread about Steve Alford)
Brad Stevens (Kentucky will have to see if he is already tired of the NBA)
Sean Miller

[poloprince]

Espn reporting he wants in the NBA more than ever before every year I believe.

[Danny J]

If 40-0 stamped the seal on Calipari leaving, I would absolutely pull for Kentucky this weekend.

That is why I have been pulling for them.

[Ham Sandwich]

KA would try to go to another school, but it won't be Arkansas.

He would be stupid to do so too with all of the talent we have coming in. He would have some real talent to play with.

[Hoggish1]

Billy isn't leaving he signed an extension.

The extension means nothing at this point.

[jbcarol]

 Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  3h 3 hours ago

Sources: OKC to evaluate Scott Brooks' future as coach, mentions Billy D as "serious candidate" if Brooks is fired: http://tinyurl.com/ok2zg7n

Still think Billy D is staying, but if he gets a call from OKC if Brooks is fired, I'd be nervous.

[jbcarol]

Former Florida guard discusses Billy Donovan's potential as an NBA head coach on 'Dan Patrick Show' (VIDEO)

Washington Wizards and former Florida guard Bradley Beal joined Chris Mannix on the "Dan Patrick Show" Friday morning. Among the topics discussed was the possibility of Beal's college coach, Billy Donovan, making the move from the SEC to the NBA and Beal gave an interesting answer.

"I agree with the rumors; I think he'll definitely leave," Beal said. "He won't pass that opportunity up too many times, and I think he'll be a tremendous coach. He loves playing in pick & rolls, loves to space the floor and he gives his players freedom so I think he'll definitely [do] well in the league."

Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  1h 1 hour ago

Beal only played a year for Billy D, so take his comments w a grain of salt #Gators

[770john111]

To the thunder?kevaughn allen?

[MikePiazza]

To the thunder?kevaughn allen?

Maybe. As for Allen, doubtful.

[PorkRinds]

Allen already signed with them.  I doubt he changes his mind no matter who the coach is at this point.

[MikePiazza]

Allen already signed with them.  I doubt he changes his mind no matter who the coach is at this point.

He could get a release with a coaching change, but even if he does, I doubt it leads him back to the Hogs. He'd probably end up at Tennessee or Louisville or somewhere like that.

[Hawg Red]

If he were to seek a release, it would be extremely doubtful that he lands at Arkansas.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Billy D leaving is a bigger deal for Arkansas than getting KA. He is a great coach.

However unlikely KA would solve a lot of our recruiting issues right now. I don't mind recruit for a 1% chance

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

If he were to seek a release, it would be extremely doubtful that he lands at Arkansas.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA

[jry04]

I am not sure why people still cannot understand that Arkansas does not want Kevaughn. Kevaughn basically said so himself.

[Inhogswetrust]

It could get interesting since the Thunder have announced Scott Brooks has been fired. Billy Donovan's name has already been rumored.

[Hawg Red]

I am not sure why people still cannot understand that Arkansas does not want Kevaughn. Kevaughn basically said so himself.

Classic chicken and egg argument.

[jry04]

Classic chicken and egg argument.

I am not saying Allen wants to come here, but regardless of what Allen wants, he said he was open to coming to Arkansas, but Mike lost interest in Allen.

[Jim Harris]

I am not sure why people still cannot understand that Arkansas does not want Kevaughn. Kevaughn basically said so himself.

the question is, why? Because Durham and Watkins are so good?

[Hawg Red]

I am not saying Allen wants to come here, but regardless of what Allen wants, he said he was open to coming to Arkansas, but Mike lost interest in Allen.

I've heard it both ways.

I've heard that it was made clear to the coaches that Allen wouldn't be a Hog and I've heard that Mike never really made a strong attempt to land Allen. All we can take away from this is that KeVaughn Allen won't be a Hog. And it's a damn shame.

[jry04]

the question is, why? Because Durham and Watkins are so good?

I have no idea what Mike's reasoning is. Rumors are there are some off-court issues, but I have no clue. Word is Beard and Allen did not get along too well while at NLR. That is all speculation, though.

[jry04]

I've heard it both ways.

I've heard that it was made clear to the coaches that Allen wouldn't be a Hog and I've heard that Mike never really made a strong attempt to land Allen. All we can take away from this is that KeVaughn Allen won't be a Hog. And it's a damn shame.

True. I have no doubt that Allen told us "no" first. I am just going off what Allen said in articles after not signing. Basically saying when he didn't sign he was open to the possibility of staying home, but Anderson stopped all communication with him, and started recruiting him the least out of everyone.

[770john111]

Any chance that Might change with Babb and Qualls leaving?

[WarPig88]

I swear you KA people are ridiculous. Seriously.

When Nolan first coached here there was a kid named Jimmy Oliver in Morrilton who was way better than KA. Oliver would sign with Purdue and play for the Celtics in the NBA. I think he may have even had a 30 point game for the Celtics once.

However, Nolan paid him little attention and I thought he was insane for it. Then I met some of Oliver's friends from Morrilton one day and asked them why Nolan had not gone after him since he was so good. They said he would have never made it in Nolan's system. Think about it 6'5" G/F with NBA talent.

They said he wasn't a bad kid but didn't have what it took to thrive in that style. They said it was between his ears.

I trust both the kid and our coach to be able to see when that is the case, which is more than likely the situation here as well.

[Hawg Red]

I swear you KA people are ridiculous. Seriously.

When Nolan first coached here there was a kid named Jimmy Oliver in Morrilton who was way better than KA. Oliver would sign with Purdue and play for the Celtics in the NBA. I think he may have even had a 30 point game for the Celtics once.

However, Nolan paid him little attention and I thought he was insane for it. Then I met some of Oliver's friends from Morrilton one day and asked them why Nolan had not gone after him since he was so good. They said he would have never made it in Nolan's system. Think about it 6'5" G/F with NBA talent.

They said he wasn't a bad kid but didn't have what it took to thrive in that style. They said it was between his ears.

I trust both the kid and our coach to be able to see when that is the case, which is more than likely the situation here as well.

Speaking of ridiculous, based on what??

[poloprince]

the question is, why? Because Durham and Watkins are so good?

Nope had nothing with the current roster.  MA said you must first win off the court.  :razorback:

[jry04]

Nope had nothing with the current roster.  MA said you must first win off the court.  :razorback:

No offense, but you also said Allen signed a long time ago, just last week on the day he was actually signing. You aren't exactly the Kevaughn Allen insider.

[Hawg Red]

No offense, but you also said Allen signed a long time ago, just last week on the day he was actually signing. You aren't exactly the Kevaughn Allen insider.

He was also guaranteeing Portis and Qualls would be back.