AROUND THE SEC-----Can the Florida Gators Re-Gain Their Momentum....

By Jay Holgate
secsportsreport.com

ATLANTA, GA-- From January to May of 2007, Florida Gator fans were walking on water. Whether in the swamp or on the road, the wind was always at their back.

On January 8, 2007, the Florida Gator football team were the SEC East champions, the SEC champs with a win over the Arkansas Razorbacks and finally the national champions of college football with a decisive win over Ohio State.

Ironically, the Florida basketball team had a similar path to the national championship. After winning the SEC East, the Gators beat the Arkansas Razorbacks for the SEC championship and then beat Ohio State for the national championship.

The chances for one college to win the national championship in both football and basketball in the same year are nearly impossible. Yet, the Florida Gators with their two young coaches looked liked a dynasty in the making. Nothing could go wrong for Florida.

The Winds Begin to Change-- First, the Kentucky Wildcats go after head coach Billy Donovan. Gator fans could hardly enjoy the full measure of a 2nd national championship for a gut feeling that their basketball leader could be returning to an SEC basketball rival. Next up, the rumor mill starts pumping out information during the heights of recruiting, that Billy the Kid, will be going to the NBA. Then the fatal news comes, Donovan has signed a contract with the Orlando Magic. Within 12 hours of signing, Donovan wants out of the contract and wants to return to Gainesville. For fans, it was a mess.

The Calm Before the Storm--Now, all of a sudden, Gator fans feet are fully touching the ground. The honeymoon is over. What had been feared, came true. For one of the longest six days in school history, the Florida faithful waited to hear if their fearless coach would be coming home. Finally, the Orlando Magic realized that a coach with no heart for their team could not lead the franchise to success. Orlando released Donovan from the contract with a clause to keep him out of the NBA for five years.

The Dust Starts to Settle--Florida fans welcome back their leader but it's not the same. Donovan had left, looked indecisive in the transition, and then wanted back in. Somehow, it had kind of a high school feel. Like your girlfriend had cheated on you and then it didn't really work out so she wanted back in the relationship. It takes a long time to heal a broken heart and even if you forgive him, you don't ever fully trust him again. It's just the way it is.

The Dust Turns Muddy--As gators fans start getting settled that Donovan is back, they kind of take a sigh of relief that it didn't get too ugly. Then, Athletic Director Jeremy Foley extends both Donovan and Urban Meyer's contracts on the same day. One small technical point needs to be identified. The basketball coach is given a bigger contract than the football coach. There are only two people in the entire country that would structure the contracts in this order. Jeremy Foley and Donovan's agent. Donovan's own kids wouldn't try such a move with college football being the official state sport.

The Sopranos, Final Episode--Gator fans across the state all wake up to horse heads in their beds. In one week, the basketball coach has his national stature diminished, the head football coach has his ego bruised by a 2nd tier contract and the baseball coach gets whacked for being a nice guy. Three men, three hits. Georgia's Damon Evans couldn't have orchestrated a better attack.

Tomorrow Has to be Better than Today--For Florida fans, fortunately football season is right around the corner. When Tim Tebow is on the front of Sports Illustrated as a Heisman candidate, all the pain of early June will go away. Then again, when you are at the top, keep in mind everybody is gunning for you, it just comes with the job. And even if their leaders egos are bruised, they aren't dead. Florida still has two young competitive coaches at the helm and they can compete for championships for years to come. Momentum can always be re-gained.


Jay Holgate is a writer for secsportsreport.com He can be reached at editor@secsportsreport.com To read more SEC stories, go to www.secsportsreport.com