Rumors are getting concrete from multiple reliable NBA sources that Billy Donovan will take the OKC Thunder job. That would obviously free up a huge NCAA vacancy later in the cycle. Who do the Gators pursue? Too late for Shaka to back out?
Florida wasn't really good before Donovan right? also don't they have crap bball facilities? I'm asking, thats what i think i remember
Quote from: LAMUfan on April 29, 2015, 12:51:06 PM
Florida wasn't really good before Donovan right? also don't they have crap bball facilities? I'm asking, thats what i think i remember
Lon Kruger was there before Donovan and he got them to a Final Four. They were a decent program, but clearly not as good as now.
I would say this is a very good job. Not a great one. I would be surprised to see a real big name make this move.
Buzz to Florida, Wojo to VPI, Shaka to Marquette, Marshall to Texas, Thibs and The Mayor trade jobs. #donedeal
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on April 29, 2015, 01:08:57 PM
Lon Kruger was there before Donovan and he got them to a Final Four. They were a decent program, but clearly not as good as now.
I would say this is a very good job. Not a great one. I would be surprised to see a real big name make this move.
Wasn't the speculation that this was one of the jobs Shaka was waiting for? Similar to Texas in some ways.
If Shaka was waiting for it, he wouldn't be at Texas. Billy leaving for the NBA has been a poorly kept secret.
I would say Texas and Florida are very similar jobs. No reason for him to wait for one in hopes for the other, especially since Charlie Strong (who I heard was a friend of Shaka's) was telling him what a great place it is.
Would any of their recruits back out? They have a Top 10 class coming in.
Thought Ollie was a #donedeal for this gig, hey?
ohhhhh billy....oh billy billy, oh billy billy billy, it's a Cinderella story
Lots of talent on that team. The only downside is having to live in Oklahoma City.
Quote from: Aughnanure on April 29, 2015, 03:51:37 PM
Would any of their recruits back out? They have a Top 10 class coming in.
MU wasn't in on any of them originally, and three out of four are from Florida, the fourth from Arkansas. I don't like to count Wojo out, but getting any of them would be tough.
Quote from: LittleWade on April 29, 2015, 04:50:13 PM
MU wasn't in on any of them originally, and three out of four are from Florida, the fourth from Arkansas. I don't like to count Wojo out, but getting any of them would be tough.
Wojo to Arkansas? Anyone good with flight tracker?
Quote from: Groin_pull on April 29, 2015, 04:47:59 PM
Lots of talent on that team. The only downside is having to live in Oklahoma City.
Ever been to Gainsville?
Quote from: LittleWade on April 29, 2015, 04:50:13 PM
MU wasn't in on any of them originally, and three out of four are from Florida, the fourth from Arkansas. I don't like to count Wojo out, but getting any of them would be tough.
Any of them play with or near Haanif?
Donovan to be named head coach:
http://deadspin.com/report-billy-donovan-to-be-named-oklahoma-city-thunder-1701129349
Quote from: Groin_pull on April 29, 2015, 11:33:17 PM
Don't think OKC is a step up.
Then you sir have never been to Gainesville
Quote from: Groin_pull on April 29, 2015, 11:33:17 PM
Don't think OKC is a step up.
Of course it is.
It's the highest level of basketball. He will be paid more. He doesn't have to recruit, so it's pure coaching.
And if he fizzles out (as Pitino and Cal did), he always can go back to college basketball -- taking his pick of jobs and major paychecks (as Pitino and Cal did).
It's a great move by Donovan, who very well might have wanted/needed a change of scenery and now will preside over the only game in town.
It ain't over 'til it's over, ai na? Billy has changed his mind before, hey?
What I don't get is why the Thunder want Billy Donovan. I want to say Donovan and Presti have some sort of link but I can't recall for sure. The track record of college coaches going to the pros hasn't been great. Brad Stevens is showing some promise and I'd actually make a run at him before Donovan. Stevens at least has NBA experience and had plenty of success in college.
The Thunder have a great roster and should be able to attract a top hire. It just strikes me as odd that Billy Donovan is the best they can do. Maybe he'll do great but it just seems like a weak field of coaching prospects if Billy Donovan is the best. Great college coach; will it translate to the NBA?
Quote from: MU82 on April 30, 2015, 06:32:09 AM
Of course it is.
It's the highest level of basketball. He will be paid more. He doesn't have to recruit, so it's pure coaching.
And if he fizzles out (as Pitino and Cal did), he always can go back to college basketball -- taking his pick of jobs and major paychecks (as Pitino and Cal did).
It's a great move by Donovan, who very well might have wanted/needed a change of scenery and now will preside over the only game in town.
Jeez, I'm obviously talking about the two towns...not the level of basketball. But thanks for pointing out that NBA players are more skilled. And this whole time, I thought college players were the best in the world. ::)
Quote from: Hauser's Headband on April 30, 2015, 07:27:26 AM
What I don't get is why the Thunder want Billy Donovan. I want to say Donovan and Presti have some sort of link but I can't recall for sure. The track record of college coaches going to the pros hasn't been great. Brad Stevens is showing some promise and I'd actually make a run at him before Donovan. Stevens at least has NBA experience and had plenty of success in college.
The Thunder have a great roster and should be able to attract a top hire. It just strikes me as odd that Billy Donovan is the best they can do. Maybe he'll do great but it just seems like a weak field of coaching prospects if Billy Donovan is the best. Great college coach; will it translate to the NBA?
I think Donovan has the acumen and the demeanor to work out in the NBA. (Similar to Stevens.) Part of the reason Pitino failed the second go around is because they gave him total control, which was a mistake. He was great as the Knicks coach.
There really haven't been many college coaches moving to the NBA anyway. The sample size is a handful over the past 20 years. Not enough to make broad generalizations either way.
Quote from: Hauser's Headband on April 30, 2015, 07:27:26 AM
What I don't get is why the Thunder want Billy Donovan. I want to say Donovan and Presti have some sort of link but I can't recall for sure. The track record of college coaches going to the pros hasn't been great. Brad Stevens is showing some promise and I'd actually make a run at him before Donovan. Stevens at least has NBA experience and had plenty of success in college.
The Thunder have a great roster and should be able to attract a top hire. It just strikes me as odd that Billy Donovan is the best they can do. Maybe he'll do great but it just seems like a weak field of coaching prospects if Billy Donovan is the best. Great college coach; will it translate to the NBA?
I'm pretty sure that if one NBA team approaches another team's coach while that coach is under contract it would be considered tampering, so perhaps that's why Oklahoma City isn't making a run at Stevens.
Quote from: LittleWade on April 30, 2015, 08:39:34 AM
I'm pretty sure that if one NBA team approaches another team's coach while that coach is under contract it would be considered tampering, so perhaps that's why Oklahoma City isn't making a run at Stevens.
Good point. I'm used to college where contracts don't prevent that type of movement.
Quote from: LittleWade on April 30, 2015, 08:39:34 AM
I'm pretty sure that if one NBA team approaches another team's coach while that coach is under contract it would be considered tampering, so perhaps that's why Oklahoma City isn't making a run at Stevens.
Contracts didn't stop Milwaukee and Jason Kidd from their illicit love affair.
I guess I don't understand why people talk as if Brad Stevens is some coaching guru and Billy Donovan doesn't add up. Donovan is a very good coach.
Why does everyone seem to assume that Stevens is on the market for each big college opening and for other NBA teams? He is known to be unhappy at Boston?
I don't think the incoming players on FL roster fit our needs or that we will be going after them. However, the dominos that could fall depending upon who replaces Donovan and as other college jobs then open could result in someone that is a fit for us who we previously recruited. Dare I say we should hope for some upheavel in the college coaching ranks?
Crean to FL and Yogi to MU ;D
Quote from: GOO on April 30, 2015, 09:17:43 AM
Why does everyone seem to assume that Stevens is on the market for each big college opening and for other NBA teams? He is known to be unhappy at Boston?
No.
He reminds me of PJ Carlissemo. (He's a better coach though.) Everyone assumed he would head back to college if the NBA gig didn't work out, but he realized he liked the NBA more even if it meant serving as an assistant.
Quote from: Hauser's Headband on April 30, 2015, 07:27:26 AM
What I don't get is why the Thunder want Billy Donovan. I want to say Donovan and Presti have some sort of link but I can't recall for sure. The track record of college coaches going to the pros hasn't been great. Brad Stevens is showing some promise and I'd actually make a run at him before Donovan. Stevens at least has NBA experience and had plenty of success in college.
The Thunder have a great roster and should be able to attract a top hire. It just strikes me as odd that Billy Donovan is the best they can do. Maybe he'll do great but it just seems like a weak field of coaching prospects if Billy Donovan is the best. Great college coach; will it translate to the NBA?
Billy has 14 ncaa appearances, 8 sweet 16s, 7 turned into elite 8s, 4 turned to final fours, 3 times got to the championship and two he won. In 19 seasons (three of the years he missed the ncaa he went NIT at least)
He's a top hire, in fact Id take him over calipari or almost any other college coach in the country.
Quote from: LittleWade on April 30, 2015, 08:39:34 AM
I'm pretty sure that if one NBA team approaches another team's coach while that coach is under contract it would be considered tampering, so perhaps that's why Oklahoma City isn't making a run at Stevens.
And using someone's logic from earlier in this thread, who would want to leave Boston for Oklahoma City?
Quote from: GOO on April 30, 2015, 09:17:43 AM
Why does everyone seem to assume that Stevens is on the market for each big college opening and for other NBA teams? He is known to be unhappy at Boston?
I don't think the incoming players on FL roster fit our needs or that we will be going after them. However, the dominos that could fall depending upon who replaces Donovan and as other college jobs then open could result in someone that is a fit for us who we previously recruited. Dare I say we should hope for some upheavel in the college coaching ranks?
Crean to FL and Yogi to MU ;D
No idea. Boston loves Stevens...and he sounds very happy there. His return to college is definitely not imminent.
Quote from: Golden Avalanche on April 30, 2015, 09:02:47 AM
Contracts didn't stop Milwaukee and Jason Kidd from their illicit love affair.
The owners in NJ wanted to get rid of Kidd.
Quote from: MUMonster03 on April 30, 2015, 11:51:13 AM
And using someone's logic from earlier in this thread, who would want to leave Boston for Oklahoma City?
Well, for one thing, the cost of living. OKC could have offered Stevens the same money, but in effect it would be a huge raise.
Quote from: warriorchick on April 30, 2015, 12:44:54 PM
Well, for one thing, the cost of living. OKC could have offered Stevens the same money, but in effect it would be a huge raise.
Yeah, but it's still OKC.
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on April 30, 2015, 12:48:22 PM
Yeah, but it's still OKC.
I doubt that during the basketball season, a coach has much time to enjoy the amenities of any city. However, he can come home to a nicer house and in the off-season, he can jet off to wherever he wants to go.
All you mid-westerners need to stop hating on your own cities, or cities similar to yours. I'm sure lots of people like OKC
On the list of things that an NBA coach considers, my guess is location is pretty far down the list. Jason Kidd moved from Brooklyn to Milwaukee. Gregg Popovitch has coached in San-freakin'-Anotonio for 20 years.
Here is what they consider:
1. Talent on the roster
2. Good relationship to the GM.
3. Freedom in hiring staff
4. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
You can find a nice place to live in or near every NBA city.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on April 30, 2015, 12:58:35 PM
You can find a nice place to live in or near every NBA city.
Exactly. There is a bunch of oil money in OKC. It may not be South Beach, but there is plenty of nice stuff if you have the cash.
Reckless prediction for next Florida coach: Richard Pitino
Quote from: Grayson Allen on April 30, 2015, 03:21:13 PM
Reckless prediction for next Florida coach: Richard Pitino
I think it'll be Archie Miller
#donedeal
Quote from: Groin_pull on April 30, 2015, 07:44:51 AM
Jeez, I'm obviously talking about the two towns...not the level of basketball. But thanks for pointing out that NBA players are more skilled. And this whole time, I thought college players were the best in the world. ::)
I guess it wasn't obvious to me. Boy, am I ever embarrassed.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on April 30, 2015, 12:58:35 PM
On the list of things that an NBA coach considers, my guess is location is pretty far down the list. Jason Kidd moved from Brooklyn to Milwaukee. Gregg Popovitch has coached in San-freakin'-Anotonio for 20 years.
Here is what they consider:
1. Talent on the roster
2. Good relationship to the GM.
3. Freedom in hiring staff
4. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
You can find a nice place to live in or near every NBA city.
Popovich has a great relationship to the GM.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on April 30, 2015, 12:58:35 PM
On the list of things that an NBA coach considers, my guess is location is pretty far down the list. Jason Kidd moved from Brooklyn to Milwaukee. Gregg Popovitch has coached in San-freakin'-Anotonio for 20 years.
Here is what they consider:
1. Talent on the roster
2. Good relationship to the GM.
3. Freedom in hiring staff
4. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
You can find a nice place to live in or near every NBA city.
Easy now...I live in San Antonio. It's one of the best places I've ever lived. (I've lived in WI, TX, GA, IN, VA, WA, and OK)
Quote from: brandx on April 30, 2015, 12:41:47 PM
The owners in NJ wanted to get rid of Kidd.
Only after he pulled his undignified stunt. And they've been out of NJ for a few years now.
Quote from: Grayson Allen on April 30, 2015, 03:21:13 PM
Reckless prediction for next Florida coach: Richard Pitino
They deserve the slimeball.
Quote from: willie warrior on April 30, 2015, 05:59:59 PM
They deserve the slimeball.
How is Richard Pitino a "slimeball?"
Quote from: ZiggysFryBoy on May 01, 2015, 10:38:20 AM
He bangs women at Perkins.
I think he's talking about baby Richard not Daddy Rick
Quote from: TAMU Eagle on May 01, 2015, 10:54:50 AM
I think he's talking about baby Richard not Daddy Rick
Right. Rick the elder prefers white table cloths at porcini's.
Quote from: warriorchick on April 30, 2015, 12:44:54 PM
Well, for one thing, the cost of living. OKC could have offered Stevens the same money, but in effect it would be a huge raise.
Do you really think a guy making $3.7 million is so worried about $2.65 for gas in Boston when he can get it down to $2.17 in OKC?
90% of what he brings home is going into investments, and the price of a share is the same in OKC as it is in Boston.
Donovan has been most underrated coach in America for the past 15 years. I always felt he should be Duke's first call to replace Coach K. He seems to operate with a strong personality yet without much of an ego. I see him easily getting respect of his players.
I like the move for OKC.
Jeff Borzello @jeffborzello 6s6 seconds ago
Florida has hired Louisiana Tech's Mike White as its next head coach.
Quote from: The Lens on May 04, 2015, 11:32:05 AM
Donovan has been most underrated coach in America for the past 15 years. I always felt he should be Duke's first call to replace Coach K. He seems to operate with a strong personality yet without much of an ego. I see him easily getting respect of his players.
I like the move for OKC.
Sure, he gets to take over a winning team with multiple stars...but that could also be a negative. Russell is pain in the as* and I've heard that KD is becoming more difficult to deal with as well.
Quote from: MuMark on May 07, 2015, 06:38:15 PM
Jeff Borzello @jeffborzello 6s6 seconds ago
Florida has hired Louisiana Tech's Mike White as its next head coach.
Duke AD's son...
Quote from: muarmy81 on April 30, 2015, 04:44:15 PM
Easy now...I live in San Antonio. It's one of the best places I've ever lived. (I've lived in WI, TX, GA, IN, VA, WA, and OK)
San Antonio is great. I was in and out of Lackland over the years.
Some outstanding Tex Mex. Taps Y Tapas, Mary Lou's, La Fonda, and Cielito are all excellent, You are likely on the north side of town but you need to try Brenda's Burgers which is outside the gate of Lackland. The best breakfast burritos in the world are sold out of a truck at Kelley Field. I have no idea what it is called but ask any AF guy and he'll know.
Quote from: MuMark on May 07, 2015, 06:38:15 PM
Jeff Borzello @jeffborzello 6s6 seconds ago
Florida has hired Louisiana Tech's Mike White as its next head coach.
Solid young coach, but UF fans can't be too inspired by hiring a guy who didn't make an NCAA tourney during his tenure.