Is Billy Donovan coming to University of Kentucky?

Answer 1

All signs point to YES! I am in Louisville and have also heard about his wife buying property in Lexington last Saturday. Today I heard a local physician (UK graduate and booster) discussing the situation and he said it is a done deal and it has been in the works for some time now. Also heard a deal has already been agreed to from 3 other sources. Granted none of this can be proven at this point but the sources are reliable. People around the country who say "Why would anyone leave Florida for Kentucky?" just don't GET Kentucky Basketball. Billy gets it. He has been here. Unlike Florida we don't have 2 NBA teams, 3 NFL teams, 2 MLB teams, and 2 NHL teams. We have the Kentucky Derby once a year and the all time winningest college basketball program in America -UK basketball 24/7!!!

UK plays in a 20,000+ arena named after a previous coach. Florida plays in a 12,000+ arena named after a previous Florida president. Speaking of the arena. Anyone know how many home games were sold out this year for the defending National Champion gators? 2!!!

It's a done deal. Donovan is coming back to the bluegrass. I wish him the best of luck in the final four and look forward to the press conference next week. Welcome back Billy!!

Answer 2

In reality, probably not. As a die-hard Kentucky fan I'd love love love to have him because he runs a high-octane offense that has been missing from Kentucky since Pitino left. And there's the obvious success he's had at Florida. But I can't see Florida letting him go. Then again, weirder things have happened.

My thing is, if he has no interest in the job why doesn't he just say he doesn't have any interest? They asked Calipari while still in the tournament with Memphis and he was very adament about refuting any claims that he could be coming to Kentucky. Donovan's comment, according to the local newspaper (I live in Louisville) The Courier-Journal was "I expect you to ask that, but right now I'm just trying to concentrate on winning a championship.". He also hasn't signed a new contract with Florida because he wanted more money and we all know Kentucky could throw some serious cash at him. I think Florida boosters can only put up so much because he's in competition with a national championship football program down there. And as much of a Kentucky fan as I am, I can tell you that probably won't ever happen at Kentucky.

Nobody would've ever though Pitino would've ended up with "the dark side" (a.k.a University of Louisville). I also just watched a UofL football coach that would've had a national championship contending football team next year, jump ship for the NFL.....after telling his players the day before he would be at UofL for the rest of his contract. So I never say never when it comes to coaching moves in these parts.

And as far as Florida fans hollering about Donovan never leaving, no offense but no one would've EVER thought the old ball coach Steve Spurrier would've ended up at another SEC school after leaving Florida.....ESPECIALLY a school like South Carolina. So once again, never say never.

And no offense, but Kentucky fans demand excellence. I'm not going to apologize for not settling on less then the best. I am a Tubby fan and wanted him to stay because I thought he was great. But I can't deny that Kentucky hasn't seen a Final Four in almost 10 years. And we're talking about a program that has won 7 National Championships over decades with SEVERAL different coaches. If Duke or North Carolina had that kind of drought they'd be throwing a fit too. Just ask former UNC coach Matt Daugherty.

Ice Queen, I wouldn't stick my nose up just yet. Florida Gator Football fans are by far some of the most spoiled football fans in the nation. It's been fortunate for Urban Meyer that he's been successful at Florida because maybe now he won't constantly be compared to Steve Spurrier.

Answer 3

I am also a large UK supporter, but why does UK want Tom Crean? Come on - it's Marquette, and he has done a good job - but, we need somebody who has done a great job.

I agree with the outspoken Florida fan that it will take a contract unlike any other to get Donovan to coach the Cats. Is it impossible? No, but's really not very likely. Even though he is the hottest coach in the country, it probably doesn't make a lot of sense for UK to spend $4-$5million per year on a coach. That would be twice the next closest coach - that's just ridiculous.

Florida fans really don't see the whole picture though. Our facilities, tradition, and seasoned booster money may make the Billy transfer possible. A brand new $30million practice facility? Who wouldn't want to use that on a daily basis to preach basketball?

Answer 4

This is an easy one to answer. In Florida, Billy Donovan is just another coach with a championship or two. He has to compete with several pro teams, college teams, not to mention the football program at his own school. Here in Kentucky, Billy Donovan becomes the Pope of the Big Blue Religion. The head coach at UK usually comes second only to God himself in the minds of the Big Blue Nation. Believe it, Billy Donovan will be the next coach for the University of Kentucky!

Answer 5

OK yes it would be awesome to get Donovan. And yes it could happen if the stars align the right directions.....is it likely ....nah.... we are more likely to get Tom Crean or John Calipari.......either of which is fine to me as they both have a proven track record in recruiting......I have said this since day ONE Tubby was a good coach just not in the SEC he did not recruit the kind of players needed to sustain a Kentucky type basketball team...he is much more suited for a Big 10 Big 12 type league where it is all about slow grind it out defenses and half court offenses... All I ask from Mitch Barnhart is that he gives us a coach that can bring back the luster and SPEED to this program it deserves.......and yes ICEQUEEN we are spoiled but why shouldn't we be we have the winning-est BBall program in the land.

Answer 6

Yes, for four reasons. 1). Florida is first and foremost a football school. Even if Florida wins back-to-back basketball championships, basketball will never replace football at Florida. By default, this places Donovan in the shadow of the the football coach (and with the recent National Championship, Urban Meyer has cast a long shadow). 2). Basketball is king in Kentucky. Donovan can be the man at the schools number one program. When you think Kentucky, you'll mentally think Donovan. 3). Kentucky will pay him a lot of money to be their man. Face it, money talks. 4). The "Roy Williams Effect." Williams came back to UNC and restored the legacy of the Dean Smith era. Donovan and come back to restore the legacy of the Pitino era and return Kentucky to prominence (I admit that this isn't the perfect scenario, but the psychoemotional pull to save Kentucky basketball would be a lot to overcome). I say he comes to Kentucky.

Answer 7

No, I believe that Florida will come through with a contract that Billy won't be able to refuse. Also, Billy is building his own dynasty there in Florida, moreover, he may potentially win his 2nd national championship this year.

Personally, if Billy can make as much money in Florida as he might in Kentucky, then I think he'd be foolish to go, especially, having to deal with the UK pressure of being Kentucky's head coach.

Answer 8

Here is why Billy will come to UK:

EGO
Florida has an arena that holds 12,000 and they sold it out twice this year (Ohio State and Kentucky games) In Florida he will never be out of the shadows of Urban Meyers. Folrida is a football school!!! They are talking more about football recruits right now then they are the final 4. In Kentucky if he wins he will be a the #1 guy. Everone will be in his shadows.

Family and Rock Star Status
His wife likes Lexington. They were married while he was and assistant here, which makes another point that he saw how adored Pitino was while he was here and he understand how we love basketball here because he has been here. He wants that for himself

If you want to be in the history books you need to coach UK, Kansas, UCLA, North Carolina, or Duke. He wants to be that guy.

His contract at Florida states he can leave for UK or Duke. Why do you have that in your contract if you don't want to go there. Why???? Cause he wants this job. He has been thinking about this job for years and he has just been waiting for his oppurtunity.

Being a national championship coach at Florid is good but being a national championship coach at U of K puts you in whole different league. You will be considered with the coach k's and Roys. Your name forever will be etches in the lagacy known as kentucky basketball.

He is coming and i do not think it is wishful thinking i really believe these points will drive him to come to U of K.

Answer 9

We should never underestimate the power of surprise. Mitch B. may have a trick or two up his sleeve, and UK fans will be none the wiser. How would we feel when Mitch announces someone totally unexpected? Don't rule it out yet. However, all of us die-hard Cat fans have entertained the notion that we can get Billy D. out of Gainesville with the unbelievable financial resources open for UK ball. That may happen, indeed. But what we must remember is that Billy has built himself quite the reputation for Gator fans, and that is hard to buy out. Realistically speaking, it's going to come down to this: If Billy recognizes the fact that he alone is responsible for the Gator's B-ball turnaround, he may recognize the potential rewards of doing the same for a UK program that has seen better days. Of course, this realization must come with the loss of his championship players - Noah, Horford, Humphrey, Brewer, and Green. In my BIG BLUE heart, I can only hope that realization comes.

Answer 10

Yes, Billy Donovan is coming to the University of Kentucky. He will annouce that he will be taking a 3.5 million dollar 7 year contract with the CATS as soon as his season with the Gators is over. His wife was spotted in Lexington at a realtor's office two weeks, and the Donovan family has already put in for a change of address...