Billy Donovan serves as the head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team. He coached the Gators to the 2006 and 2007 national championships.
After Kentucky men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie was fired on March 27, 2009, rumors swirled that Donovan would leave Florida to coach Kentucky. Donovan and the University of Kentucky have both denied the claims.USA Today: Donovan Not a UK Candidate; Recruits React to News
Playing Career
Donovan played college basketball with the Providence Friars in the NCAA. He led the team to the Final Four in the 1987 season. After college, Donovan was selected 68th overall in the 1987 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz.
He was waived by the Jazz before the 1987-1988 season, played briefly in the Continental Basketball Association, then signed with the New York Knicks.
Coaching Career
After leaving the NBA in 1988, Donovan took his first coaching position as an assistant for the University of Kentucky in 1989. In 1994, he signed on to become the head coach of the Marshall University basketball team. After three seasons at Marshall, he was selected to take over at Florida.
He led the Florida Gators to the national title in both of his first two seasons with the team. In 2007, Donovan accepted a job to take over as head coach of the Orlando Magic in the NBA, but later reconsidered and came back to Florida.
Billy Donovan Vital Stats
- Mahalo's Guide to the Florida Gators
- Wikipedia: Coaching Stats
- Basketball-Reference.com: Player Stats
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 171
- Years Pro: 1
Billy Donovan News and Gossip
Orlando Sentinel: Orlando Magic
Google: Billy Donovan News
References
Fast Facts
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Hometown
Rockville Centre, New York
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College
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Fact:
Appeared in 1987 Final Four as player
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Won-loss record
317-132 (through 2008)
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SEC championships
Three
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Final Fours as coach
Three
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National titles
2006 and 2007
