It's official. Donovan is heading to the NBA. The timing couldn't be better for the rest of the SEC.Donovan's departure comes at a time when most of the big name coaches and hot up and comers have already gotten large pay raises in their new or existing gigs. The top name being thrown around right now is Virginia Commonwealth's Anthony Grant.
Grant was an assistant for Donovan at UF for 10 years before joining VCU last year. Grant could be the second coming, but he's never been given the keys to a job anything remotely comparable to what he'd be stepping into at UF. The AP looks at the viable candidates:
Foley probably won't waste much time replacing Donovan. He likely will consider assistant coach Larry Shyatt or Virginia Commonwealth coach Anthony Grant for the job. Although some believe Shyatt will follow Donovan to Orlando, he has several years of head coaching experience at Wyoming and Clemson. Grant, a longtime assistant under Donovan, led VCU to the NCAA tournament in his first season. The Rams upset Duke in the opening round.The biggest winner as Donovan leaves the SEC looks to be Tennessee and Bruce Pearl. Pearl has the most stable program and the most stable roster (all but 1 player returns from last season) in the SEC. Everything is set up for UT to have a huge 12-4 or better run in the league followed by a Sweet 16 or better NCAA run. Don't get me wrong, it's a good thing for Felton as well. But Pearl is best positioned to fill the power void.
Regardless, it's a great start to the weekend.
See Also:
-- Donovan to Magic - Orlando Sentinel
-- Donovan will flop, but so what -- Chicago Tribune
-- Donovan's jump a no-brainer - Sportsline.com
-- Billy's grasp for glory - ESPN
-- Are you kidding me -- Take it to the Hole
PWD
5 comments:
Awesome. Really. Attention Dennis Felton: It's now or never, buddy...
Even before Donovan left, there was going to be a lot of pressure on UT and Pearl. When Chris Lofton decided to stay, UT became the frontrunner for the SEC title.
Given Pearl's penchant for promotion (self-promotion?) the roster stability, and the way the Vols played this years NC participants, 2007-08 is set up to be their year.
If it pans out for them, Pearl will either get a huge extension at UT, a kickass offer from a more traditional basketball school, or his own NBA offer.
It is good for us too.
Billy Gillespie is throwing a kegger this weekend.
It does open possibilities up for Felton and Pearl, but the new UK coach is probably enjoying this the most right now. The pressure on him to perform immediately in recruiting and on the court next year is orders of magnitude greater than it is at UGA and UT, and Florida is now the big target in the SEC East in both of those areas.
If Kentucky can squeeze out a decent season alongside a declining Florida, Gillespie will be able to claim the credit and enjoy the "UK is back" press.
PS...interesting quote from Grant's wife in the NYT about leaving VCU..."it would be the wrong thing to do". Of course, that's until they back the dumptruck full of money up to the house.
DAMMIT! DONOVAN IS HEADING BACK TO FLORIDA! The Magic let him out of the contract he JUST signed...
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I knew I shouldn't have popped the champagne - something told me he would pull a Rich Rodriguez.
This sux ass!
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