Dick Vitale Defends Billy Donovan, Jay Bilas Bashes Him

Bilas, dope. Tarnished reputation to whom? Gator fans? Not a chance. Recruits? No way. Think about it: Hottest coach in college hoops is now contractually obligated to refrain from taking another NBA job for five years. Hottest coach in basketball turns down $27 mil to return to UF. What a story to a 17 yr old. So now, where will the media next rumor him to go? Kentucky? Ha!!! This result is a dream come true to us at the Gator Nation. Welcome back Billy, we love you!!! lol

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Bilas is too black and white resulting in unsophisticated conclusions.Vitale doesn't want to be friends with everybody, he understands sports issues because of his age, wisdom through experience and depth of character, and knows that there are many dimensions to these issues. His analysis here is spot on.

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Jay Bilas comments somehow come to no surprise. On the unrelated subject of this past NCAA tournamnet Final 4, he picked against Florida almost exclusively, contrary to the widespread opinion of most of his peers that Florida was the favorite to win it all.

It may be just coincidence and perhaps I'm voicing my biased Gator-fan opinion, but I wonder whether Bilas would have been as quick to pass judgement had Mike Krzyzewski been the one in Billy's position.

I feel the bottom line is that Billy had enough courage to admit and correct a mistake he made about a very personal issue--his employment--in the publick eye. He should be praised for that.

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You Florida fans are clowns. It is a total embarassment for Donovan to do what he did. It's very flaky and you should all worry about continued flakiness in the future a la Rick Neuheisel or Nick Saban. I don't normally agree with Jay Bilas, and actually don't care for him much, but this time he is 100% right.

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The only thing Florida fans are worried about now is how long will it take Billy to develop this incoming #1 class to make an other run at the Final 4.

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Yeah, I'm not happy with the flakiness. He has always concerned me when it comes to game-day coaching, preparedness, etc. But he shut me up these last two years so he now gets the benefit of the doubt. He has a bunch of rings and will probably get a couple more.

I think he came back because coaches get courts and fields named after them for two reasons, longevity and titles. He only had one. Bowden, Krzyzewski, etc. He wants that legacy solidified and no way was that court going to be named after him after 11 years. You think we are ever going to say "Steve Spurrier Field"...no way...

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There are two different issues regarding Donovan that Bilas addresses, and I agree with him on one.

First: was it unprofessional behavior? Absolutely. Without a doubt. Not only is this so, I can't even think of how you'd begin to argue otherwise.

Second: will it hurt him? Hmmmm. Short run, I'm really not sure how it will. In the immediate future, it will probably actually help him at Florida. Think about recruiting, and the biggest weapon opposing coaches would use against him: the threat that he's leaving. Well, in the past few months, he's declined a chance at a supposedly premier college job (Kentucky - I actually think Florida is as good of a job, but apparently many people think Kentucky would be a step up for some reason), and where else in college could he be rumored to go? UCLA? UNC? Duke? Anyone think any of those'll be vacant any time soon? Well, they can claim he'll go to the NBA - no wait, he can't for five years. Short-term, recruiting at Florida just got a lot easier, because there is no threat that the coach might go to greener pastures elsewhere, and top recruits will know that if they commit to Donovan, he'll be there through 2012 or so.

Long-term, will it hurt him? Maybe, if he decides he really does want to try the NBA five years from now. But any chance at that is predicated on continued success at Florida, which shouldn't be an issue. And five years from now, how many teams would really be scared off by this? After he's been through it once, had five years to think about it and mature, if he decides he wants to be considered then, which team (that would otherwise be interested) is going to cross him off the list? If Larry Brown keeps getting offers to coach rebuilding teams, is Donovan really going to be a pariah for changing his mind once?

Has it hurt his reputation? Maybe. But a funny thing about sports is, winning takes care of a lot of that. Somehow I doubt the Patriots are regretting their decision to hire that one guy who screwed over the Jets.

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who the hell is michael david smith and why do his rantings deserve so much attention ??

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I suppose the Florida fans don't wnat to hear any negative things abot Billy D. It's 50/50 no matter how you look at it. Yes Florida there are several better basketball jobs out there , will they open up who knows. But know this as losng as Pitino, Riley, Larry Brown and donavan are coaching it will be about EGO and money. where are they all from New York and they haven't a clue what it means to stay put. Pitino and Brown had a chance to own all the NCAA records and they pissed it away, at least Donavan knows where he can win at. It sure makes things alot better to have the talent and coaches. Kenntucky use to win it everyyear and North Carolina use to do the same in the ACC, look at the SEC now and every ESPN guru does not give them any respect. At least Jay Bilas played the game did fat ass Andy Katz ever do anything but eat. Is he from New York too? Vitale is a joke does anyone really listen to him?

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Jay is the best and Vitale well it is time to retire!! I can care less how many Florida Fans excuse Billy the Kidder, it does not take away the fact he acts like a little BOY still to this day, he can't even speak for himself and he can't even make a Man's decision, I liked Donovan until this past year, thank god I woke up

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Coach K (Bilas is from Duke)had a couple of weeks to make up his mind. Billy Donovan had no rest from TWO straight national titles, was relentlessly persued by media, by Kentucky, NBA teams Memphis, and Orlando. He was given about 48 hours to make a life changing career decision. His 48 hour analysis was impeccable as evidenced by his new conference- but he forgot to stop and check his heart. Friday night was probably the first time the anxiety was off, and he then realized what he really wanted. Kudos for Billy's honesty and willingness to take criticism from sideliners like Jay Bilas give witness to character. Bilas may ba an analyst- but he obviously lacks the empathy necessary to be an outstanding one.

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When did Jay Bilas become Mr. College Basketball? Didn't he graduate college around the same time as Donovan? Billy has two head coaching national championships. Bilas gets his makeup done for ESPN's college hoops pregame show on Saturday morning (during the season). Which is the bigger accomplishment? Love him or hate him, believe me I've done both, Dick Vitale has been the voice of college basketball for many years. And on this occasion he happens to be right.

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As a gator fan I am so glad he's back....I have talked to many many of us and to the man or lady we all agree on this...don't crucify him on making a decision too quickly...we all have...he has the gonads to change it...i'm sure you have many times wished you had em and done the same.

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Who's going to care the a MAN made a decision based upon emotion rather than giving himself and his Extended family the time to fully digest it's ramifications? Who's never changed his mind after sharing a decision with others?
When you become "larger than life" by the media as many of Todays profesional Atheletes, Coach's and Sporting Personalities have you are over glorified and over critisized.
Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion and some base theirs on facts , others based on Speculation.
When a blogger here states conclusively that they KNOW Why Coach Donavan decided the Magic Coaching Position was not entirely what he believed he was accepting when he after onlt 4 days after being presented with the offer, Please Post it here.
How many full time ,paid sports columnists and so called "experts" have publically stated their opinion on the very personal and life changing decision with out hearing from sourses close to and involved in the truth.
Billy's just released Statement is now public.Once again it shows he is a classy and respectful MAN who admits he jumped into the public release of this opportunity prematurily. His appology was good enough for those that matter,the Magic Organization and his true Fans know he will return to the place where he belongs.
To his detractors including Jay Bliss, Gator Hater's around the state and furthur, you will see how much it his reputation was tarnished.
See from a Human standpoint ,everyone makes mistakes, Billy did the right thing after realizing on Friday at the press conference in Gainesville that money wasn't the motivator. Orlando's personnel wasn't a motivator, Amway isn't the O'dome,at this time he realized he had no true friends in Orlando, no home , no schools for his family and no Church community.
The media exposure this created was unfortunate, I agree. But who really remembers about the "Runaway Bride" episode a few years ago.It has passed.
This will pass like yesterday's Burrito Brother lunch.His reputation has been built over 42 years of life.To the informed , Billy the MAN will survive. His allure to Gator Nation has been confirmed. Winning can make alot more people forget this episode.If people think this "flip-flop" Magic weekend will keep recruits away , Think again.Will he make less money at UF than the NBA, yes.
I wager anyone that Coach Billy is in Coaching longer than Jay Blias is a paid writter.I guatentee Billy won't read the negative comments.He has been too busy building his reputation to be concerned. He has made ammends with the Magic, The University, His family and His Spirit.
Who else matters ? I don't care that Jay has been wrong before ,I certainly don't kick a person when he admits an error, why should others.
Not Billy, Not Christine his wife, Not Jeremy Foley,President Machin, Urban Meyer or theGator Nation are worried.
On September 1,2007 The National Champion University of Florida Gators will beat Western Kentucky in Football and No One close to the sports world will be talking about Magic's new coach Stu Van Gundy or ex Magic Coach Billy Donavan.
Billy's staying HOME and gator Haters Beware.

Go Gator's !
Billy you did the right thing.

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If I was the parent of a potential Florida recruit, I would be very skeptical of the sincerity of Billy Donovan. I would not chance my kid having his college playing career jeopardized by potential indecisions. His character will now routinely be called into question. Can you see the signs in the stands on the road in the SEC? "Billy's Waffle House", "Magic Man", "Waffling Willy" and arenas blasting the lyrics "Ho ho ho it's magic......" That will be interesting to watch. Sure, he came back to Florida, but what about the circumstances? Donovan made statements at the Magic press conference that alluded to needing a challenge and being intrigued by the NBA. Gatornation, do you really want a coach that feels he has accomplished everything at the collegiate level? The guy just cursed himself and Florida. He'll never win another championship at any level. Look what's happened to Rick Pitino. He's stuck in Louisville and will just be happy to retire there. The guy has no fire left. Pity, that. If Donovan is so indecisive that he can't honor a commitment he made in writing and on national TV, it makes me wonder about his integrity. What kind of commitments might he waffle on in less public matters? It's like some guy taking his ex-wife back after she had a change of heart. It's the stuff wusses are made of. Instead of honoring a commitment he entered into willingly, he took the coward's way out. Billy Donovan must have attended the John Gruden School of Integrity. He just put himself in the same league with that loser. Florida, enjoy your two NCAA titles. It will take some time for the shine to tarnish, but it will tarnish. When it does, Gator fans will be saying, "It all started with that Magic debacle." Who knows, even the AD, Foley, may eventually lose his job courtesy of Donovan. Either way, it will be fun to watch. I'm just glad I'm not a Gator fan.

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The only thing relevant to Billy right now is how does Florida feel about his return,... and the answer to that is short and simple: GREAT! The Gator Nation could care less about what others are saying, specially those who can only wish they were in our shoes. Get used to it,... Florida has become a two-headed basketbal/football monster of a program, and there is no end in sight!

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11. Coach K (Bilas is from Duke)had a couple of weeks to make up his mind. Billy Donovan had no rest from TWO straight national titles, was relentlessly persued by media, by Kentucky, NBA teams Memphis, and Orlando. He was given about 48 hours to make a life changing career decision. His 48 hour analysis was impeccable as evidenced by his new conference- but he forgot to stop and check his heart. Friday night was probably the first time the anxiety was off, and he then realized what he really wanted. Kudos for Billy's honesty and willingness to take criticism from sideliners like Jay Bilas give witness to character. Bilas may ba an analyst- but he obviously lacks the empathy necessary to be an outstanding one.


honesty? he told recruits he wasnt going anywhere but then did..so check the facts before you start the tears...mmmk

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Florida has become a two-headed basketbal/football monster of a program, and there is no end in sight!


lol yea tell me that in two years when meyer is in the nfl and donovan is being wishy washy about another job.

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Donovan actually had two months to decide what he wanted to do and still screwed it up. If we weren't talking sports, and this guy worked for you, decided to take another (supposedly better) job, and then decided to return, what would you do? I would launch his ass. It's a slap in the face of Gator nation, they just don't realize it yet.

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yep number 18 has it..fla got pissed on but if they were smart enough to know it well they would nt be at florida would they..but oh we winning oh gator nation gator nation

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