Jack
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Post by Jack on Mar 27, 2009 14:41:23 GMT -5
As I recall, there was some speculation about them pursuing JTIII the last time around- I doubt it would be an attractive match on either side at this point, but only because Cats' fans strike me as morons. Is it just as simple as scooping up Travis Ford (or does T. Boone Pickens have the scratch to keep him in Stillwater)?
Edit: Seeing lots of Billy D rumors now. I really don't know why anyone who already has a great job would take the Kentucky gig unless they are an alum (Donovan obviously is not) or they backed up the Brinks truck (which might be happening).
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Mar 27, 2009 15:00:37 GMT -5
Here's why--no matter that Donovan won 2 titles at Florida-he'll never be Urban Meyer or Tim Tebow. At Kentucky--if he wins, he's a "god".
I'd rather have Florida's recruits then Kentucky's and if the Gators get Anthony Grant-he should be able to keep most of them in Gainesville, though Donovan will have a staff he'd put together that can recruit.
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jgalt
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Post by jgalt on Mar 27, 2009 15:07:08 GMT -5
I dont know who it will be but i know they will be gone in three years. Kentucky has gotten too impatient, they need to let a coach get in there and rework the whole program to their liking- this takes much longer than what fans will be willing to work with. of course their are exceptions- Beilein at Mich, but i think that his system really worked with the kids that were there at the time and he kind of got lucky. JTIII too, i guess, but there was luck in that he had four guys waiting to become stars and he provided the right direction and he was already familiar with the program and how it was run.
If i were a kentucky fan i wouldnt be looking to win big in the next three years because i dont think it can happen. Id want to see a young guy with a great mid major track record who has pulled a number of recruiting upsets come in and take full control. give him a few years and see where it takes the program- i can only think good things.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Mar 27, 2009 15:13:00 GMT -5
RDF, I don't have any real insight right now. I don't think Billy will leave for a number of reasons. Obviously the big contract that he signed is a major reason. Even if Ky. does open up the vault, I don't think it would be signifcantly more, but rather comparable money. Secondly, if he didn't want the job 2 years ago, when our entire team was leaving, now doesn't seem to make much sense, when we have a really solid young nucleus to build around and an excellent class already signed for next year. Additionally, he has emphasized how important family stability is and how much he really wants his kids to grow up in Gainesville. One son will be a high school senior next season.
That being said, there are a bunch of rumors buzzing around. One is that he's leaning to the Ky job and that Pitino is trying to talk him out of it. That sounds like a stretch to me. At most, I would think that Rick would merely point out the tremendous pressures of the Ky job, but let Billy make up his own mind. However, the local beat writer, Pat Dooley, was interviewed on the lunchtime show today and he said that he had called Billy several times over the past couple of days, but the calls went to voice mail. He also said that Billy hadn't returned the calls and that that was very unusual. The only other motivation that I can see is that some of the natives were restless not making the tourny again this year. No one was calling for Billy's head or anything, but there was some grumbling about everything from ticket prices to the athletes we recruit. When things go well, everyone is happy, but when you hit those bumps in the road, all of a sudden some people are quick to criticize. Lastly, the only other motivation I can think of is that our poor showing as far as attendence could, once again, remind him that we are a "football school" and that nothing will ever change that.
I don't know. Thinking about it a bit more, the fact that Grant hasn't taken either the Georgia or Bama job could be an indication that he thinks the Florida job might open up.
My guess is that Billy stays and that Grant ends up at Bama, although I think UVa should go after him. As for Ky, they want Billy or Calipari, but I don't think they get either one. Travis Ford is the name bantered around after those. Personally, I think that Mike Anderson should be getting some phone calls very soon.
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hoya95
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Post by hoya95 on Mar 27, 2009 15:14:29 GMT -5
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Mar 27, 2009 15:34:05 GMT -5
Folks I know who are relatively plugged in at UK think the report's right. We'll see if they're right. I hope so--anything that hurts Florida and (will eventually) hurt Billy Donovan is ok with me |
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Boz
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Post by Boz on Mar 27, 2009 15:41:35 GMT -5
I nominate Ashley Judd in a hockey sweater. Not Ashely Judd today, mind you, but THAT Ashley Judd specifically. Someone at UK certainly must have a donkey wheel that could make this happen. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't care if they won or lost. |
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Mar 27, 2009 15:54:28 GMT -5
That FoxOrlando report keeps getting discredited down here, for what it's worth. The article itself lists an unnamed Kentucky source. Also, the UF Sports Information Director, John Hines, denied the story entirely about 20 minutes ago. Another unconfirmed report says that Grant has accepted Bama's offer of $2 million. If so, then it's highly unlikely that Billy is going anywhere. Grant has been pretty clear about wanting the Florida job if it becomes available. Additionally, Florida and Jeremy Foley have been pretty clear that Grant is our first and only choice should Billy leave. We'll have to wait and see. Didn't we just do this 2 years ago?
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DFW HOYA
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Post by DFW HOYA on Mar 27, 2009 15:54:43 GMT -5
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TBird41
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Post by TBird41 on Mar 27, 2009 15:58:01 GMT -5
Which is why I hope he goes to UK. Billy Donovan can burn ;D |
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Mar 27, 2009 15:59:36 GMT -5
Billy Donovan, via Pat Forde: he isn't going anywhere and is committed to the University of Florida long term. I lost the link but the time was 4:50 pm today.
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hoya95
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Post by hoya95 on Mar 27, 2009 16:06:58 GMT -5
Just heard Mike DeCoursy of the Sporting News on the radio who was convinced Donovan was going to take the Kentucky job. When they read him the statement from Florida, he said he was shocked and that Billy must have done the same thing to Kentucky that he did to Orlando two years ago. His sources from Kentucky at least thought it was a done deal. Strange day at Kentucky and if Billy Donovan really does take people to the altar and then refuses to say I do, that's awfully strange too.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Mar 27, 2009 16:12:07 GMT -5
Just heard Mike DeCoursy of the Sporting News on the radio who was convinced Donovan was going to take the Kentucky job. When they read him the statement from Florida, he said he was shocked and that Billy must have done the same thing to Kentucky that he did to Orlando two years ago. His sources from Kentucky at least thought it was a done deal. Strange day at Kentucky and if Billy Donovan really does take people to the altar and then refuses to say I do, that's awfully strange too. I don't think that's how it unfolded. I would guess that the Kentucky "source" was far too optimistic. Again, the main reason that I even thought it was much of a possibility was that Grant hadn't taken the Bama job yet. They came in with that serious offer of $2 million, I figured the only reason he hadn't accepted it yet was because he wanted to wait until Billy decided one way or another. They are still really good friends and Anthony stays with the Donovans when he is in town. In any case, I don't think it will turn out being like the Orlando situation. I think he had a really, really tough decision and after deciding to take the Magic job, really, legitimately changed his mind. I doubt (and certainly hope) that this year was more of the same. |
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Mar 27, 2009 16:24:08 GMT -5
I don't doubt Donovan staying--as I said--he's got better talent coming then Kentucky and has proven you can be a championship program.
However--I completely doubt Pitino has been concerned one bit about Donovan to Kentucky while he's in middle of trying to win a National Championship. That takes on far more importance then anything else--and I know that is hard for some rabid fans to take--but it's reality. Let's see--worry about my protege coaching in same state as I am while I'm in great position to get to Final Four/win a National Title or just focus on my team? Which would I do?
If Grant takes another job--Donovan is staying.
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DanMcQ
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Post by DanMcQ on Mar 27, 2009 16:29:28 GMT -5
I hear Dave Leitao is available.  |
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Mar 27, 2009 16:30:11 GMT -5
I totally agree RDF. Maybe my words didn't come out right. I will go find the link that mentions Pitino "trying" to "talk Billy out of it." I didn't think that made much sense whatsoever. IF there was any conversation on the issue, I would expect Pitino to simply have pointed out the tremendous pressures and ureasonably lofty goals of Kentucky basketball, but I have my doubts about even that much conversation.
And as for your guess on Grant, that too is what I was saying.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Mar 27, 2009 16:30:51 GMT -5
I hear Dave Leitao is available. Yeah, Esherick can probably be had for the right price too. |
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theexorcist
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Post by theexorcist on Mar 27, 2009 17:18:11 GMT -5
The fun one seems Calipari. It upgrades his conference and gives him a larger stage.
I can't see III, who lacks much time deep in the tournament (UK fans want lots of experience).
UK has really constricted themselves with running out Tubby and now Gillispie. They'll always get someone based on the amount of money, but there aren't a lot of good options.
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Mar 27, 2009 17:26:08 GMT -5
hey billy G gets 6million dollars because he got fired. getting fired from the kentucky job is not that bad of a deal. I'd be surprised if they went with Calipari 1) they probbly don't want to touch him because eventually he'll get brought down just like calhoun currently is 2) i don't think calipari would take it. He likes dominating his small crappy conference and thrives off of playing the disrespected underdog. you can't really play that at kentucky.
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DFW HOYA
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Post by DFW HOYA on Mar 27, 2009 18:25:03 GMT -5
hey billy G gets 6million dollars because he got fired. getting fired from the kentucky job is not that bad of a deal. Why would he get that ? Remember, he never signed the original contract since he's been at UK. |
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