Well, it happened.
Billy Donovan left Florida after all. However, he didn't leave to go back to Kentucky, but is staying somewhat local and going to Orlando to coach the Magic.
I like it, for several reasons:
1) He stays somewhat in his comfort zone, as opposed to moves from Gainesville to DC (Spurrier), Lexington to Boston (Pitino) or other flameouts who left college to go halfway across the country. Heck, he may not even have to move from where he lives now!
2) $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. He'll be making twice as much in Orlando as he would have at Florida.
3) Talent. Florida is losing Horford, Brewer, and Noah to the pros so it's going to be a year of lowered results (sorry, guys). Orlando's an up and coming team that made the playoffs, with Jameer Nelson and Dwight Howard to build around.
4) His departure means we won't have to deal with the remote possibility of a three-peat in Gainesville, even with those players leaving. Makes all of us non-Florida fans a little happier.
Any way to convince Urban Meyer to head somewhere else?
Friday, June 01, 2007
Bye Bye, Billy
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1 comment:
Hate to see him leave, but this is so much easier for us Gator fans to deal with. Firstly, he left the SEC and all of college baseketball. That would have been a slap in the face to go to UK in order to compete at a higher level. All one has to do is check the past decade of SEC ball to know better.
Secondly, he went to Orlando as you note. Everyone around here would love to see someone turn that franchise around. And he has a real chance with Howard already in place.
And finally there is a sense of closure with Florida. 11 years in, 3 trips to the championship game, and he departs with back-to-back SEC crowns and National championships. What more could you ask, short of John Wooden success, which will never happen again? And he gets to leave with the 4 stud players whom he will always be linked.
I just hope Jeremy Foley brings in a decent replacement. Because the next couple of seasons may be rough. Not interested in the Dennis Feltons or Paul Hewitts of the world!!!
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