Spectre's Blog

This is why you shouldn't go to bed early!  Uh-oh, better get MAACO! Looks like Billy-the-Kid is reconsidering his move to the MAGIC. Works for me, now instead of being blue and I might be orange again too! What took you so long Billy??? I hope you have a good lawya! Sources: Donovan wants out of Magic deal Story Tools:  Print   Email   Blog This   Subscribe Jeff Goodman / FOXSports.com
Jeff Goodman."-->Posted: 2 minutes ago   --> Billy Donovan is having second thoughts.

 

According to two sources close to the situation, the former Florida coach, who accepted the Orlando Magic job on Friday, is attempting to return to Gainesville.

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What's going on in Gainesville? Looks like Billy Donovan wants to come back to the Gators. Is it a wise move? Weigh in with your thoughts.

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Donovan agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Magic late last week, but has approached both sides about getting out of the deal.

Donovan has not yet signed the deal with Orlando.

According to one source, Donovan was forced to make a rash decision by the Magic management — and he regretted it shortly after agreeing to the contract.

Speculation centered on VCU coach and former Gators assistant Anthony Grant replacing Donovan quickly. In fact, Grant was slated to meet with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley on Saturday morning.

However, shortly after landing in Virginia, Foley had to return due to an emergency. One source confirmed that the emergency was that Donovan contacted Foley about returning.

Grant addressed the situation in a statement released by VCU.

 

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"Due to the amount of media speculation regarding my involvement with the University of Florida coaching vacancy, I felt it necessary to address the situation," Grant said in the statement. "I have been contacted by the University of Florida regarding the coaching vacancy.

"I have not had any in-person contact with any Florida representative, nor have I been offered the job," Grant continued. "At this point, I will have no further comment on the situation. All my focus is on my responsibilities at VCU."

Grant, 41, is considered the clear-cut favorite to take the place of Donovan. Grant coached alongside Donovan for a decade at Florida and two seasons at Marshall and led VCU to the second round of the NCAA tournament this past season after a first-round upset of Duke.

Donovan, 42, led the Gators to consecutive national titles over the past two seasons and was slated to sign a seven-year deal worth approximately $3.5 million annually. The deal was still in the process of being approved when he accepted the deal with the Magic.

Donovan was introduced by the Orlando Magic at a news conference on Friday.

If Donovan had a change of heart, it wouldn't be the first in college basketball.

Creighton coach Dana Altman was introduced as Arkansas' new basketball coach earlier this spring, then decided to return to Creighton two days later.

Altman's reversal was not without precedent. In 1993, Bobby Cremins accepted the South Carolina job, then reneged two days later and returned to Georgia Tech.