Billy D. Batting Eyes To Lexington...

[jammin' jamey]

He hasn't said no... http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2810428&sportCat=ncb

Post game comments after last night's Florida win over Butler are very interesting. He "has" the power to say no and turn down the job and didn't. That's a good sign guys.

Donovan has two years left on a deal that pays him $1.7 million annually at Florida -- less, on average, than football coach Urban Meyer. Kentucky was paying Tubby Smith in excess of $2 million -- and would theoretically be ready to pay more than that for the national championship coach .

[rallo316]

listen to billy interview he said they have been fun to coach take it anyway you want. oh yeah welcome home biily d.

[TomSportsHack]

Quit dreaming. He ain't leaving Gainesville, people. The Gator Nation has much deeper pockets than UK does (that's what prolonged success on the gridiron creates).

The only way you'll see him in Lexington is on the visitors' bench.

[jammin' jamey]

Quit dreaming. He ain't leaving Gainesville, people. The Gator Nation has much deeper pockets than UK does (that's what prolonged success on the gridiron creates).

The only way you'll see him in Lexington is on the visitors' bench.

You may be right, but you can't blame him for playing both sides for the money. Who wouldn't? That's why you haven't heard a firm answer one way or another.

In terms of money, it wouldn't surprise me to see Kentucky match or beat any deal Florida offers Donovan at the rate donors ran off Tubby.

[TomSportsHack]

You may be right, but you can't blame him for playing both sides for the money. Who wouldn't? That's why you haven't heard a firm answer one way or another.

In terms of money, it wouldn't surprise me to see Kentucky match or beat any deal Florida offers Donovan at the rate donors ran off Tubby.

:lmao:

They'd have to put a second mortgage on Kentucky Horse Park to pull that stunt off.

[jammin' jamey]

:lmao:

They'd have to put a second mortgage on Kentucky Horse Park to pull that stunt off.

So if donors could drum up $5 million in 48-hours as John Clay wrote about last week to buy-out Tubby's contract in the event he could've been fired, but they can't the money to hire Donovan away from Florida?

[BurntTires]

I know its a long shot, but Billy D didnt say no. He could have killed all the rumors in last nights post game interview, but he chose not too.

[jammin' jamey]

I know its a long shot, but Billy D didnt say no. He could have killed all the rumors in last nights post game interview, but he chose not too.

Exactly.

He's doing one of two things. Thinking about Lexington or playing Florida for more money.

[Benchwarmer]

We will never see him coach at UK.

[calQlate]

We will never see him coach at UK.

I wouldn't bet the house on it.. What makes everyone so sure that Billy D wouldn't come to UK? I don't think money would be the issue. Kentucky has always been one of the highest paid coaching jobs in america. What makes you think that anything will change? I mean is Florida going to really pay a basketball coach significally more than their football coach.. I don't see it happening.. I say this because I believe UK will pay him at least 3 to 3.5 million a year.. I don't think Urban Meyer makes nearly that much.

[DevilsWin]

The job at UK is custom designed for 1 person. After Rupp left UK to his successor Joe B Hall the program struggled at times but was always in contention for SEC hardware. Under Eddie Sutton there was more of the same.

Pitino however in 1992 raised the bar and brought back a lot of emotion. Then he followed that up with 2 consecutive NCAA championship appearances and a title in 96.

Tubby raised the bar, along with an incredible team and assistant staff in 98 with another title.

^^That is what has set the tone for the result we are all about to see.

Now back to my original point. This position is custom designed for a coach with a huge ego. This job will catapult the coach to Iconic status forever in the world of college basketball. The man that UK will choose will be a man who truly feels that He is the best coach in America.

And that's the guy we want. Someone who believes that He can come to UK and Win, right now! October 2007 Here we come BIG BLUE MADNESS!!!!!!!
:kneel:

[Beef]

Quit dreaming. He ain't leaving Gainesville, people. The Gator Nation has much deeper pockets than UK does (that's what prolonged success on the gridiron creates).

The only way you'll see him in Lexington is on the visitors' bench.Nice to see you on here again, but you just stay down there in the Sunshine state and enjoy your national title. We will take the coach.

Billy wants to come to UK IMO. He made sure that in his contract with UF, that the only SEC school that he is allowed to talk with is UK.

[PLAYBOY5]

Billy D is a business man! He knows what he is doing and how to handle things and done an EXCELLENT job last night in the interview.. HE WANTS BOTH TEAMS TO SHOW HIM THE MONEY! He isn't leaving because he knows Florida would match whatever amount UK would offer! HANDS DOWN!

[TidesHoss32]

this job is like the Bama job in football in one respect...when the coach jets or is fired (in Bama's case), every coach in the SEC gets a raise, lol...and I believe what others have said in that its not entirely about the money. Its about prestige. And although I dont believe that Donovan has a giant ego, I do believe that as long as he's at Florida, he'll be overshadowed, and #2 on the athletic payroll..at UK, he'll practically be handed the keys to the state, and nobody will overshadow him in Lexington. Maybe that may have some merit, maybe it doesnt. Maybe he dont mind being overshadowed. But thats my view on it. I hope he comes to Lexington. I couldnt imagine anybody better than Billy D. parading the court..

[TidesHoss32]

thats a very good point Beef...wondering now just how much he'll exercise that last part? lolNice to see you on here again, but you just stay down there in the Sunshine state and enjoy your national title. We will take the coach.

Billy wants to come to UK IMO. He made sure that in his contract with UF, that the only SEC school that he is allowed to talk with is UK.

[TomSportsHack]

So if donors could drum up $5 million in 48-hours as John Clay wrote about last week to buy-out Tubby's contract in the event he could've been fired, but they can't the money to hire Donovan away from Florida?

Whatever LEX puts up, the Bull Gators will find a way to match and top. Guaranteed.

this job is like the Bama job in football in one respect...when the coach jets or is fired (in Bama's case), every coach in the SEC gets a raise, lol...and I believe what others have said in that its not entirely about the money. Its about prestige. And although I dont believe that Donovan has a giant ego, I do believe that as long as he's at Florida, he'll be overshadowed, and #2 on the athletic payroll..at UK, he'll practically be handed the keys to the state, and nobody will overshadow him in Lexington. Maybe that may have some merit, maybe it doesnt. Maybe he dont mind being overshadowed. But thats my view on it. I hope he comes to Lexington. I couldnt imagine anybody better than Billy D. parading the court..

The job is like Bama in two respects. The one you forgot is this: Unreasonable expectations on the part of spoiled fans have made the job a total nightmare for anybody other than one dead legend.

Go look at the Crimson Tide boards in late November and early December, back when Bammers were dead rock-solid certain their school had Rich Rodriguez locked up because "Bama is the ultimate" and "nobody can turn down the Tide" and "why would anybody want to stay in a football backwater like Morgantown?" The Big Bammers were so certain they had Rodriguez that three Alabama newspapers ran stories that it was a done deal. Of course, they didn't get him and I don't think they'll be pleased with the guy they did get in the end.

That's what Kentucky men's basketball is now: Alabama football. Unrealistic fan pressure produced by unrealistic fan expectations, an overblown history and a rabid fan base have made those coaching jobs **** on Earth. In Gainesville, Donovan has a chance to be a legend. He won't have that in Lexington --- there's only room for one legend at Rupp Arena, and he's dead 29 years-plus now.

[TidesHoss32]

i dont think the Alabama job is unreasonable at all. I believe they offered the job to alumni first, found out that basically he was the worst coach in the SEC, and then fired him. They have had some questionable hires, I will give you that. But of the ones that they have kept, and left on their own terms, Gene Stallings could have stayed there as long as he wanted to. Look at it since '83, Ray Perkins (strike 1), Bill Curry (need I say more), Stallings (Good solid hire, best since the Bear), Mike DuBose (horrible coach with a bad record), Dennis Franchione (good coach who left to go back home in Texas), Mike Shula (give Joe Kines credit on most of those 10 wins year before last, not Shula), and I believe that they got the very best coach in Nick Saban. A proven winner who can flat out recruit, and will bring Bama to where they should be. Yes, I was one of those who thought we had Rodriguez too, but **** man it was on ESPN, whats a brother supposed to think?? Im glad he stayed in West Virginia, Saban's better anyways..and as far as UK goes, theyve had 5 coaches in 77 years...yeah thats such a unreasonable place to work. And how can you call it an overblown history when they have more wins than anybody else in college basketball? LOL..and as far as your legend theory goes..that too, my friend is incorrect. If Donovan comes here, has a great career, he'll be legendary too. Pitino was here for 8 seasons, and people have cried since the day he signed with the Celtics. Still are.Whatever LEX puts up, the Bull Gators will find a way to match and top. Guaranteed.



The job is like Bama in two respects. The one you forgot is this: Unreasonable expectations on the part of spoiled fans have made the job a total nightmare for anybody other than one dead legend.

Go look at the Crimson Tide boards in late November and early December, back when Bammers were dead rock-solid certain their school had Rich Rodriguez locked up because "Bama is the ultimate" and "nobody can turn down the Tide" and "why would anybody want to stay in a football backwater like Morgantown?" The Big Bammers were so certain they had Rodriguez that three Alabama newspapers ran stories that it was a done deal. Of course, they didn't get him and I don't think they'll be pleased with the guy they did get in the end.

That's what Kentucky men's basketball is now: Alabama football. Unrealistic fan pressure produced by unrealistic fan expectations, an overblown history and a rabid fan base have made those coaching jobs **** on Earth. In Gainesville, Donovan has a chance to be a legend. He won't have that in Lexington --- there's only room for one legend at Rupp Arena, and he's dead 29 years-plus now.

[TomSportsHack]

And what if Donovan goes to LEX, doesn't get 30 wins straight-away and then has to deal with boosters and talk-radio-callers stabbing him in the back? That scenario is far more likely than him "becoming a legend at UK."

UK fans are the most fickle basketball fans in the nation. And only a Bammer can deny the fact that his athletic department has become a national laughingstock with a straight face.

As for the compliments you're paying Saban ... he's a lying, two-faced snake and he proved it when he walked out on the Dolphins and claimed he had no idea the Crimson Tide had been after him for months. Karma is against him, along with all the fodder he gives rival recruiters (he makes promises, tells people things, gives them his word ... and then he leaves).

[FOX SPORTS]

Billy D is a business man! He knows what he is doing and how to handle things and done an EXCELLENT job last night in the interview.. HE WANTS BOTH TEAMS TO SHOW HIM THE MONEY! He isn't leaving because he knows Florida would match whatever amount UK would offer! HANDS DOWN!
I don't think KY v Fla for donovan is a decision that has anything to do with money...he'll name his price either place.

And I believe he will look at the UK job.
The fact that he has UK, and UK only,as an SEC team he is allowed(by contract) to talk with shows that he has or had interest in the job at some point.

[Benchwarmer]

I don't think KY v Fla for donovan is a decision that has anything to do with money...he'll name his price either place.

And I believe he will look at the UK job.
The fact that he has UK, and UK only,as an SEC team he is allowed(by contract) to talk with shows that he has or had interest in the job at some point.

Good point.

[TidesHoss32]

yeah, so Saban should have come out in the middle of the season and told everybody that "yeah Im gonna jet after the season goes, so I really dont care if we win or not, its not even relevant"...yeah, come on man, use some common sense here. Even the players for Miami (Jason Taylor and Zack Thomas) have said they wouldnt have done it any different than Saban did. He was put in an awful situation (by the media), and done the best he could to keep his team together and focused on the season. Had it not been for the biggest crybaby in Florida (Don Shula), not nearly as much would have been made of it. And another thing, had Dennis Franchione not left Tuscaloosa in 2002, he'd still be there. So laughingstock my ***. When your team wins 12 national championships, your "laughingstock" athletic department has the right to be choosy. Enjoy your beating the worst coach in the SEC for a season, because things are going to be quite a bit different from here on out..And what if Donovan goes to LEX, doesn't get 30 wins straight-away and then has to deal with boosters and talk-radio-callers stabbing him in the back? That scenario is far more likely than him "becoming a legend at UK."

UK fans are the most fickle basketball fans in the nation. And only a Bammer can deny the fact that his athletic department has become a national laughingstock with a straight face.

As for the compliments you're paying Saban ... he's a lying, two-faced snake and he proved it when he walked out on the Dolphins and claimed he had no idea the Crimson Tide had been after him for months. Karma is against him, along with all the fodder he gives rival recruiters (he makes promises, tells people things, gives them his word ... and then he leaves).

[TidesHoss32]

your right, Tubby got crucified by the boosters and the radio callers, no fight there. However, Tubbys slow down/defensive grind it out style is what got him done in. Billy D dont have to win 30 games out of the gate to be a "legend"....IF, and its a BIG IF, he winds up at UK, he'll be treated very very well...I have no doubts whatsoever that he'll end up as or possibly more popular as Pitino was when he was there. I can count the number of angry callers on two hands in 8 years he was there...itll be interesting to see what unfolds in the aftermath of the tournament....one more thing you left out about Saban...you seem to forget that he also managed to win a national championship down at LSU..just figured Id point that out.. And what if Donovan goes to LEX, doesn't get 30 wins straight-away and then has to deal with boosters and talk-radio-callers stabbing him in the back? That scenario is far more likely than him "becoming a legend at UK."

UK fans are the most fickle basketball fans in the nation. And only a Bammer can deny the fact that his athletic department has become a national laughingstock with a straight face.

As for the compliments you're paying Saban ... he's a lying, two-faced snake and he proved it when he walked out on the Dolphins and claimed he had no idea the Crimson Tide had been after him for months. Karma is against him, along with all the fodder he gives rival recruiters (he makes promises, tells people things, gives them his word ... and then he leaves).

[Evil Twin]

I don't think KY v Fla for donovan is a decision that has anything to do with money...he'll name his price either place.

And I believe he will look at the UK job.
The fact that he has UK, and UK only,as an SEC team he is allowed(by contract) to talk with shows that he has or had interest in the job at some point.

I agree but some things to think about is other than ego, why would he come here? If he had lost in the first round of the NCAA the Florida fans would have been "that's okay, football season starts in a couple of months". At Kentucky, they wouldn't stop talking and hounding him until midnight madness. There are no "FIRE BILLY" websites in Florida, at last count I heard there were 7 before Tubby left. Billy does not get the pressure from the boosters that he would have in the bluegrass state. IMO, the pressure is too much here for anyone and Billy has a family to think about, he has kids in high school and elementary and if he doesn't win 30 games a season then his kids are going to see how a state can turn on a man, quickly. I just don't think that Billy would leave, he has it pretty good in Florida right now.

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I know as a Duke fan I would be making the biggest basketball sin, but if Billy D comes to UK, I will be rooting for Kentucky alongside of Duke.

[The Fan]

Billy wants to come to UK IMO. He made sure that in his contract with UF, that the only SEC school that he is allowed to talk with is UK.
read his contract nowhere in it does it say this

[Batpuff]

read his contract nowhere in it does it say this

Oh but yes it does.

[GB1]

Here's an article out of FL about Billy D.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070325/COLUMNISTS0306/703250334/1065/SPORTS

[15regiongurlsbball]

O.K. I know this is off subject a little bit but I thought someone on here could fill me in.......Is there a CHANCE of Bobby Knight commming or is it a rumor.But as fair as Billy D. It would be awesome IF he came to UK.

[TomSportsHack]

No. And he's extremely overrated as a coach. Made a lot of hay a long time ago, but his coaching technique is too off-putting to the kinds of players UK fans demand as recruits.

[Beef]

Here's an article out of FL about Billy D.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070325/COLUMNISTS0306/703250334/1065/SPORTS

I bet that didn't get a good reception in FL. :)

[TOMCAT06]

I have heard from reliable sources that Billy D's wife has been in LEX this weekend looking at houses!

[Beef]

I have heard from reliable sources that Billy D's wife has been in LEX this weekend looking at houses!
Oh Boy.....I don't like rumors like this. Would rather just have UF lose so UK could announce it the next day!!

[Evil Twin]

I have heard from reliable sources that Billy D's wife has been in LEX this weekend looking at houses!


I think that it is right beside Spurrier's. Now they can be neighbors. How about some potential names of the street? "Teaser street" (We know the Big Blue Nation wanted us but we just like to buy houses to flame rumors)

[TOMCAT06]

Oh Boy.....I don't like rumors like this. Would rather just have UF lose so UK could announce it the next day!!

I agree but it has some truth behind it so hopefully we will hear it made official soon!

[alfus21]

I agree but it has some truth behind it so hopefully we will hear it made official soon!

How do you know it has truth behind it?

[thecavemaster]

What about this, which is factual: Billy
Donovan has asked TWICE that the O'Donnell
Center be expanded beyond its current 12,000
capacity. The answer was "No," as Florida only
sold out eight times this year. Also, 500 fans
followed UF to New Orleans for the first two
rounds. 500. Pressure is what people
who believe in themselves thrive upon. Billy
Donovan KNOWS he knows more basketball than
almost anyone else around. He's about as
worried about Big Blue Nation as Jerry Rice
is about a guy who says he was an overrated
receiver. The great ones thrive on pressure
because they KNOW they are great. A lot of low
self-esteem types then call them "arrogant" and
moan about their egos...Billy D. plays second
fiddle at UF. His ego chafes against that.

[bizmark]

Here's an article out of FL about Billy D.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070325/COLUMNISTS0306/703250334/1065/SPORTS

RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!! UK is a coaches dream job

[TOMCAT06]

How do you know it has truth behind it?

I'm not actually allowed to say which I know sounds stupid but you can take my word for it or not but i feel like it is the truth that she was looking for a home over the weekend but i know that still doesn't mean that he will come to uk even though im sure most of us hope that!

[alfus21]

I'm not actually allowed to say which I know sounds stupid but you can take my word for it or not but i feel like it is the truth that she was looking for a home over the weekend but i know that still doesn't mean that he will come to uk even though im sure most of us hope that!

You're not allowed to say, and you expect us to take your word for it and then you say "I feel like it is the truth".

Come on man. At least back up what you're saying. Otherwise it's pointless and useless. Anybody can come in here and make stuff up.

[venom93]

Alfus, I know you go to school here. Have you heard the rumor that Crawford has failed out and already moved from the lodge? I heard this form someone who works in the AD.

[alfus21]

Alfus, I know you go to school here. Have you heard the rumor that Crawford has failed out and already moved from the lodge? I heard this form someone who works in the AD.

No. The only thing that has been reported on Crawford is that he was going to play Pro Ball in Europe but he quickly dispelled those rumors and said he was coming back.

I couldn't imagine that being true. If it was I'm sure it would be all over the news and message boards.

[thecavemaster]

Here's another thing: Billy D's daughter is really
into equestrian events...the World Equestrian
Championships are at the Horse Park in 2010...and,
if you are a horse enthusiast, Lexington is the
place...I think it is becoming very clear that
Donovan and UK basketball are going to be a
match...

[TomSportsHack]

I have heard from reliable sources that Billy D's wife has been in LEX this weekend looking at houses!

Her husband's team is playing in the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight ...

... and she's not with him in St. Louis. She's looking at houses.

Ri-i-i-i-ight.

[TOMCAT06]

You're not allowed to say, and you expect us to take your word for it and then you say "I feel like it is the truth".

Come on man. At least back up what you're saying. Otherwise it's pointless and useless. Anybody can come in here and make stuff up.

It doesn't make any difference to me if u believe me and I don't know that I would if someone said what I did. I have absolutely no reason to come on here and make something up how am I benefiting from making something about about Billy D's wife that doesn't make any sense to me and is useless in my opinion! But I know the person who told me would know if it was true or not but I guess we'll see in the long run.

[alfus21]

I'm just saying that the Donovans are too smart to send her around on a shopping spree in Lexington looking for a home. If that was the case it would have been all over the news and people would have spotted her all over the place which not one person has.

How would she have gotten back and forth from St. Louis to Lexington since she was at the Sweet 16 watching her husband's team play?

[TOMCAT06]

I'm just saying that the Donovans are too smart to send her around on a shopping spree in Lexington looking for a home. If that was the case it would have been all over the news and people would have spotted her all over the place which not one person has.

How would she have gotten back and forth from St. Louis to Lexington since she was at the Sweet 16 watching her husband's team play?

I never said she was there all weekend and she may have been just looking over a house that someone had suggested to them! I completely agree that it would've been on the news if she was going around Lexington looking at random homes but like you said the Donovan's are to smart for that! Its not like its impossible for her to be there is it?

[alfus21]

I never said she was there all weekend and she may have been just looking over a house that someone had suggested to them! I completely agree that it would've been on the news if she was going around Lexington looking at random homes but like you said the Donovan's are to smart for that! Its not like its impossible for her to be there is it?

Not impossible at all, but I don't think it's likely that she was jumping cities to look at a house when she would have easily been spotted at the airport. I think Billy Donovan may be a done deal but I doubt that either of them have been in Lexington since they last played UK.

I'll leave it at that though and we can take what was said for what it's worth.

[TOMCAT06]

Not impossible at all, but I don't think it's likely that she was jumping cities to look at a house when she would have easily been spotted at the airport. I think Billy Donovan may be a done deal but I doubt that either of them have been in Lexington since they last played UK.

I'll leave it at that though and we can take what was said for what it's worth.

I agree hopefully it was true b/c if it was I'd say its a done deal! Even though its starting to look that way anyways but you know he'll milk it for all the money he can! I just don't think he'll pass up coaching at UK its the Holy Grail of Basketball!

[More Cowbell]

And what if Donovan goes to LEX, doesn't get 30 wins straight-away and then has to deal with boosters and talk-radio-callers stabbing him in the back? That scenario is far more likely than him "becoming a legend at UK."

UK fans are the most fickle basketball fans in the nation. And only a Bammer can deny the fact that his athletic department has become a national laughingstock with a straight face.

As for the compliments you're paying Saban ... he's a lying, two-faced snake and he proved it when he walked out on the Dolphins and claimed he had no idea the Crimson Tide had been after him for months. Karma is against him, along with all the fodder he gives rival recruiters (he makes promises, tells people things, gives them his word ... and then he leaves).


Actually, I can't foresee even a slight possibilty that Donovan would get criticized at all in his first couple years. This situation is completely different than when Tubby came on board 10 years ago for a couple reasons:

1) Tubby, even though I always felt he got a raw deal, was never completely accepted by segments of the UK fan base right from the start. Even when he won an NCAA title in his first year, many people said 'it was with Pitino's players' and gave Tubby no credit at all. This was mainly because he was following a coach who was beloved by the entire state. Donovan, on the other hand, would not have this problem, as most of the state is already worshipping him now and he's not even at UK.

2) Expectations for Tubby were much higher at the start. He took over a team that had been to back-to-back title games, winning one of them, and fans fully expected his team to at least make a Final Four run. This time, however, the bar has been lowered by the past couple years, and most fans realize that the cupboard is not exactly stocked for next year, especially if some players leave. Even if the team misses the NCAA tourney next year, I doubt much blame will be placed on Donovan.

So, no, I think the back-stabbing scenario is MUCH less likely.

[TomSportsHack]

Nice to see you on here again, but you just stay down there in the Sunshine state and enjoy your national title. We will take the coach.

I showed up to follow along when the Pike Central girls went to the Sweet 16, stayed on board for the Shelby Valley boys and hung around for this.

Billy wants to come to UK IMO. He made sure that in his contract with UF, that the only SEC school that he is allowed to talk with is UK.

Originally Posted by The Fan
read his contract nowhere in it does it say this
Oh but yes it does.

We can officially put this one to bed: It isn't true. There's also no buyout clause, but there's loyalty bonus that he would have to repay most of if he leaves. However, the bonus for making the Final Four (and possibly another for winning the national title) would help take the sting out of that financial bite.

http://brockblog.gainesville.com/default.asp?item=546783

[Beef]

I showed up to follow along when the Pike Central girls went to the Sweet 16, stayed on board for the Shelby Valley boys and hung around for this.
Just messing with ya old friend. Stay around some more! :Thumbs:

[thetribe]

So it is NOT true that Donovan has a section in his contract that says he is allowed to talk to UK if the position comes open?

[TomSportsHack]

So it is NOT true that Donovan has a section in his contract that says he is allowed to talk to UK if the position comes open?

It is not true. It never was.

He is allowed to talk with anybody who wants to talk with him about coaching their team, assuming his current employer grants permission. (Such permission is always granted as a matter of courtesy.)