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Donovan follows cash flow

June 01, 2007|Keith Taylor/Sun Sports Editor

Can Billy Donovan succeed in the NBA?

All the signs indicate that Donovan has somewhat of a chance to be successful as coach of the Orlando Magic, but the odds are stacked against him because of past history involving successful college coaches jumping the rank and file to coach in a players league.

Unlike most college coaches who have packed their bags and moved to higher ground in the professional ranks, Donovan won't have to move to another state and make a name for himself. He's known in Florida and will only be 115 miles away from the school where he coached the 11 previous seasons. Plus the money - all guaranteed - is good, too.

His paycheck figures to bring home a reported $27.5 million over a five-year period. Not bad for a coach who has never dealt with players outside of the collegiate circles, but one who is young enough to identify with their traits, moods and desires. The only question is whether or not those same players, who also earn a big paycheck, will be willing to listen to a coach, who doesn't have and NBA championship ring, but has won two NCAA championships in back-to-back fashion.

Although no one can really blame Donovan for leaving Florida to coach the Magic, the only troubling thing is the fact that every player on his roster in Gainesville is filled with names of people who signed a letter-of-intent to play for Donovan and the Gators.

Sure, life has no guarantees, but Donovan likely told each and every player that he would be the coach at Florida, including Jai Lucas, who had Kentucky listed among his final choices, before deciding to sign with Florida. At the time of recruitment, Donovan likely had every intention of staying at Florida, but maybe didn't reveal his dream of ultimately coaching in the NBA.

Even Lucas was surprised that Donovan said later to the Gators so soon when the Magic came calling with an offer he apparently couldn't refuse.

Although Florida won the battle against Kentucky and the Memphis Grizzlies to keep Donovan for what turned out to be a short period of time, the Gators lost the war and now find themselves looking for a coach as summer makes its way into the Sunshine State.

The guess here is that former assistant coach Anthony Grant, the head coach at Virginia Commonwealth, will get the first shot at the job that Donovan reportedly told Lucas wouldn't be vacant for a while.

By his own words, Donovan persuaded Lucas to sign with Florida and money persuaded Donovan to coach the Magic.

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