Billy Donovan to the Thunder?

[JWags85]

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?

[LAMUfan]

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

[GGGG]

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. 

[Warrior Code]

Buzz to Florida, Wojo to VPI, Shaka to Marquette, Marshall to Texas, Thibs and The Mayor trade jobs. #donedeal

[LAZER]

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.

[GGGG]

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. 

[Aughnanure]

Would any of their recruits back out? They have a Top 10 class coming in.

[4everwarriors]

Thought Ollie was a #donedeal for this gig, hey?

[rocket surgeon]

ohhhhh billy....oh billy billy, oh billy billy billy, it's a Cinderella story

[Groin_pull]

Lots of talent on that team. The only downside is having to live in Oklahoma City.

[Dawson Rental]

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.

[D'Lo Brown]

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?

[Dr. Blackheart]

Lots of talent on that team. The only downside is having to live in Oklahoma City.

Ever been to Gainsville?

[Galway Eagle]

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?

[Aughnanure]

Donovan to be named head coach:

http://deadspin.com/report-billy-donovan-to-be-named-oklahoma-city-thunder-1701129349

[Groin_pull]

Ever been to Gainsville?

Don't think OKC is a step up.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Don't think OKC is a step up.

Then you sir have never been to Gainesville

[MU82]

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.

[4everwarriors]

It ain't over 'til it's over, ai na? Billy has changed his mind before, hey?

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

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?

[Groin_pull]

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. 

[GGGG]

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.

[Dawson Rental]

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.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

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.