What is up with Donovan?

[DoratheExplorer]

I would have sworn he would have stayed with the Orlando gig - why not? What more does he have to prove at the college ball level? All time championship wins prize? Move onto a new challenge ...

Well whatever happened at Orlando scared him off ...

[AffableOne]

I would have sworn he would have stayed with the Orlando gig - why not? What more does he have to prove at the college ball level? All time championship wins prize? Move onto a new challenge ...

Well whatever happened at Orlando scared him off ...

personally, I think he had buyer's remorse.......

he bought into the whole 'bigger is better' myth........bigger title...bigger league...etc.....

then he woke up, realizing he had the best situation for him......

just my 2 cents...

[BadenLink]

I would have sworn he would have stayed with the Orlando gig - why not? What more does he have to prove at the college ball level? All time championship wins prize? Move onto a new challenge ...

Well whatever happened at Orlando scared him off ...

Please do not tell me you are a big basketball fan? I LOVE Basketball!

Good question about what changed his mind. I bet family had a lot to do with. As a college coach you are gone a lot from home--but NBA is something different with even tougher. Gainsville is a GREAT TOWN! AND I think it would be a great place to live. He will have a great challenge to get the Gators back to the top after losing most of his players.

[DoratheExplorer]

Sexy Baden - I love a lot of sports! Baseball, FB, college BB, racing ... just about everything 'cept boxing and hockey (and I have been known to watch both)

Some coaches want to move from college to pro's ... but how many have been successful? Look at Pitino ...

But you have to admit that winning back-2-back championships is fabulous ... and I suppose that there is a challenge in trying to reload and win again ... but geez if you've been to the mountain top twice why do it again for the 3rd time?

[BadenLink]

Dora,

You are getting better and better in my eyes each time I read a post from you. Obviously I don't know everything about you, but I know your husband is a lucky guy... ;-)

I understand what you are saying about the challenge factor for Billy D. NBA life and college life are really different. I would not underestimate the family factor in this. It is hard enough to have a quality family while coaching major college basketball-but even gets worse at the NBA level. At least while at Florida he can pretty much make all of the calls on how things are run. In the NBA he would not have as much control. Billy D has the chance to make himself one of college's best coaches ever. Not there yet--but he could. There is something to be said for being the best in your choosen field--look at people like Coach K AT Duke.

Do you have a favorite College BB team?

BTW... had to get off the board last night a little early--I have NOT forgotten about your other posts. I really look forward to when we can send private messages.

[DoratheExplorer]

Baden - you would most definitely like my household. Satellite, 4 TVs and 4 VCRs (haven't gone DVD-R yet or Tivo). All usually videotaping sports to watch later. We have just about every satellite sports package available. My favorite time of year is March Madness. I follow the Pitt Panthers of the Big East. I despise Ben Howland for the lies he told the Pitt community ("No I'm not leaving Pitt" ... only to bolt for UCLA [ironically b/c of "family"]) ... nothing is worse than lying to a loyal base and then blaming the "wife" for your sudden career change. Who do you follow?

Donovan probably realized that jumping from college to the pros would probably spell the death of his BB career and he'd end up like Pitino. Besides who wants to deal with prima donna players with million dollar arthritic toes?

You're in SC - do you follow the Gamecocks?

Looking forward to chitchatting with you in private too!

[jake8675]

I think he is worried he will become the Nick Seban of basketball

I think it was about the money and one other factor, I think the reqruiting wars in college sports have to wear you out after while. Just think of the parents and athletes you have to deal with on a constant basis with college. At least in the NBA you just draft,trade, and of course coach. Plus the fact these kids only stay for a year or two, I live in Michigan and I see Tom Izzo at Michigan State having real problems with high level players only staying one or two years.

[Catfish]

I understand the upside of staying at Florida, but you don't sign a 27 million dollar contract and change your mind. I'm afraid I don't have much empathy for him. Orlando should stick him with a no compete clause for the five years (no NBA jobs) at a minimum, maybe even ask for a little financial compensation.

[BadenLink]

Baden - you would most definitely like my household. Satellite, 4 TVs and 4 VCRs (haven't gone DVD-R yet or Tivo). All usually videotaping sports to watch later. We have just about every satellite sports package available. My favorite time of year is March Madness. I follow the Pitt Panthers of the Big East. I despise Ben Howland for the lies he told the Pitt community ("No I'm not leaving Pitt" ... only to bolt for UCLA [ironically b/c of "family"]) ... nothing is worse than lying to a loyal base and then blaming the "wife" for your sudden career change. Who do you follow?

Donovan probably realized that jumping from college to the pros would probably spell the death of his BB career and he'd end up like Pitino. Besides who wants to deal with prima donna players with million dollar arthritic toes?

You're in SC - do you follow the Gamecocks?

Looking forward to chitchatting with you in private too!

Dora,

March is my favorite time of the year--can also be disapointing time (if your team does not do well). I am TRUE Gamecock! Even though we have had some really tough times in hoops recently!:cry: Let me test your knowledge a little--can you tell me anything about Gamecock Basketball?

Are you not a J. Dixion fan? He actually is doing a pretty good job. At least I thought so... I do like a little of everything--but B-Ball is my first true love.

WOW! Your place sounds great! It is nice to have all of the sports packs! I do highly recommend the DVR! It has been great to record sports stuff!

Who knows besides why Billy D changed his mind. People say he bolted for the NBA because of the money--and I am sure there is some truth--but come on I think he is the highest paid basketball coach out there now in college. I think we wanted to go because of the challenge. I think he could be successfull in the NBA--and Orlando seems to have a good core of players returning. He maybe thought wht not stay at a place which is a great place to live and work. He has some media scruitiny in Gainesville--but it would be a lot worst in Orlando and the NBA.

[Barkiss]

Donavan realized he was king of his own domain...remember he coached under Pitino...maybe he learned a thing or two, other than x's and o's. Overall...smart move to stay at UF...however he handled it poorly.

As a UT grad...I would have preferred for him to resign and move on...maybe somewhere like South Carolina to join my most hated coach of all time. ;)