Everything is going Florida's way. The Gators have a national championship in football and basketball. Then the wind changes. Billy Donovan says he is leaving. Surprisingly, Foley determines the basketball coach is worth more than the football coach. Foley fires the baseball coach. Can Florida re-gain the momentum? Secsportsreport.com reports.
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Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
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
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
Saturday, June 2, 2007
SPECIAL REPORT: The Story of Billy Donovan and Florida Gators Basketball
By Jay Holgate
secsportsreport.com
ATLANTA, GA--The fact that Billy Donovan is leaving college basketball is tragic for Florida Gator fans because it didn't have to happen. At first look, everybody comes to the same conclusion, Donovan went for the big money. But when you review the time line, comments by Donovan and use some basic logic skills, it is clearly obvious, this is the story of the big fish that got away.
The Time line--
April 2, 2007, as the Florida Gators are preparing for the NCAA national championship game, the Kentucky Wildcat faithful are looking at Donovan as their next coach. The head coaching basketball job at Kentucky would be the perfect fit for Billy Donovan on many levels. Meanwhile, Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley is working on an extension to Donovan's contract.
April 5--within days of the 2nd National Championship win, Donovan says he will stay at Florida because he is "happy and you can't buy happiness." Donovan says his family is happy at Florida.
The events that happen in May are not the actions of a Head Coach planning on leaving Florida.
May 14--A big recruit by the name of Jai Lucas signs with the Gators and another big recruit Pattrick Patterson is in communication with Donovan. Donovan promises recruits he will be staying in Florida. Meanwhile, Jeremy Foley is still working on the extension to Donovan's contract.
May 17--ESPN does a story that Billy Donovan will be the highest paid basketball coach in history with a reported deal of around 4 million a year on a seven year contract.
May 23--Billy Donovan finally gets Rob Lanier as an assistant coach after trying to lure him to Florida for many years. Lanier should be extremely helpful with recruiting.
May 23--ESPN story states Donovan wants to get extension done soon. From New York City, Donovan clearly states that he is waiting on Florida to make an offer so that he can move forward with the Gators and remove speculation about leaving. Meanwhile, Jeremy Foley is still working on contract.
May 31--Billy Donovan is named as head coach of the Orlando Magic. Apparently, Orlando brought forward a contract. When asked about Florida's contract, President Machen said that it had been agreed to for a while but no formal announcement.
June 1-- Jeremy Foley and Billy Donovan have press conference. Foley states that at Florida they do things a little differently with contracts because of their level of trust with the coaches and vise versa. Donovan stated that his decision to leave had nothing to do with Florida and that he was looking for the next challenge. When you read the words chosen, Foley is trying to cover his backside. Donovan mentions the contract but doesn't blame which is a professional way of getting a message across and not burning any bridges. It is the language of two professionals trying to move forward.
Bottom Line--All of the actions from rejecting Kentucky, recruiting promises, hiring coaches and a public request for a contract point to a head coach wanting to be the Florida Gators coach for a long time. When Billy Donovan decided he was not going to Kentucky, there should have been a contract extension on his desk the next day. The fact that Donovan has never received an official offer by Florida to date, is sloppy, assumptive and irresponsible.
The Money--Donovan would have been making 4 million a year at Florida. With some endorsements, he would have been in the same neighborhood as the 6 million offered by Orlando. Truthfully, when you are making that much money, it is not that big a difference.
Nobody Likes to Wait--When you have been waiting and waiting and waiting from a school that you just delivered two national championships back to back, it is frustrating. Donovan was waiting on a contract. Orlando walked in with a contract and an opportunity. Since the door wasn't closed at Florida, Donovan took the next step.
The Unavoidable Question--With such an affluent fan base, why does it take Florida two months to create an extension for a coach that has won two national championships in the last two years? What could possibly be more important?
Billy Donovan was a college coaching great. It's too bad, they couldn't get him a contract at Florida.
Jay Holgate is a writer for SEC Sports Report. He can be reached at editor@secsportsreport.com
secsportsreport.com
ATLANTA, GA--The fact that Billy Donovan is leaving college basketball is tragic for Florida Gator fans because it didn't have to happen. At first look, everybody comes to the same conclusion, Donovan went for the big money. But when you review the time line, comments by Donovan and use some basic logic skills, it is clearly obvious, this is the story of the big fish that got away.
The Time line--
April 2, 2007, as the Florida Gators are preparing for the NCAA national championship game, the Kentucky Wildcat faithful are looking at Donovan as their next coach. The head coaching basketball job at Kentucky would be the perfect fit for Billy Donovan on many levels. Meanwhile, Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley is working on an extension to Donovan's contract.
April 5--within days of the 2nd National Championship win, Donovan says he will stay at Florida because he is "happy and you can't buy happiness." Donovan says his family is happy at Florida.
The events that happen in May are not the actions of a Head Coach planning on leaving Florida.
May 14--A big recruit by the name of Jai Lucas signs with the Gators and another big recruit Pattrick Patterson is in communication with Donovan. Donovan promises recruits he will be staying in Florida. Meanwhile, Jeremy Foley is still working on the extension to Donovan's contract.
May 17--ESPN does a story that Billy Donovan will be the highest paid basketball coach in history with a reported deal of around 4 million a year on a seven year contract.
May 23--Billy Donovan finally gets Rob Lanier as an assistant coach after trying to lure him to Florida for many years. Lanier should be extremely helpful with recruiting.
May 23--ESPN story states Donovan wants to get extension done soon. From New York City, Donovan clearly states that he is waiting on Florida to make an offer so that he can move forward with the Gators and remove speculation about leaving. Meanwhile, Jeremy Foley is still working on contract.
May 31--Billy Donovan is named as head coach of the Orlando Magic. Apparently, Orlando brought forward a contract. When asked about Florida's contract, President Machen said that it had been agreed to for a while but no formal announcement.
June 1-- Jeremy Foley and Billy Donovan have press conference. Foley states that at Florida they do things a little differently with contracts because of their level of trust with the coaches and vise versa. Donovan stated that his decision to leave had nothing to do with Florida and that he was looking for the next challenge. When you read the words chosen, Foley is trying to cover his backside. Donovan mentions the contract but doesn't blame which is a professional way of getting a message across and not burning any bridges. It is the language of two professionals trying to move forward.
Bottom Line--All of the actions from rejecting Kentucky, recruiting promises, hiring coaches and a public request for a contract point to a head coach wanting to be the Florida Gators coach for a long time. When Billy Donovan decided he was not going to Kentucky, there should have been a contract extension on his desk the next day. The fact that Donovan has never received an official offer by Florida to date, is sloppy, assumptive and irresponsible.
The Money--Donovan would have been making 4 million a year at Florida. With some endorsements, he would have been in the same neighborhood as the 6 million offered by Orlando. Truthfully, when you are making that much money, it is not that big a difference.
Nobody Likes to Wait--When you have been waiting and waiting and waiting from a school that you just delivered two national championships back to back, it is frustrating. Donovan was waiting on a contract. Orlando walked in with a contract and an opportunity. Since the door wasn't closed at Florida, Donovan took the next step.
The Unavoidable Question--With such an affluent fan base, why does it take Florida two months to create an extension for a coach that has won two national championships in the last two years? What could possibly be more important?
Billy Donovan was a college coaching great. It's too bad, they couldn't get him a contract at Florida.
Jay Holgate is a writer for SEC Sports Report. He can be reached at editor@secsportsreport.com
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