Sunday Paper Sports Writer
Wherever there are coaching vacancies there are coaching rumors. Many UK websites had fans announcing that a new coach from the Sunshine State was headed their way this week. To me, it was a no-brainer for Billy Donovan to stay put at Florida. I don’t buy into the notion that Florida is now and will always be a football school. You don’t make history with your 2-time fully loaded (for now) championship basketball team and say you are still standing in Urban Meyer’s shadow.
It is true Kentucky has a long history of success but I’d say players are interested in what a program has done lately. Florida is prime recruiting ground and layer on top of that back to back national titles and Donovan would have been a fool to leave.
Want more proof it was a good decision?
1) At Kentucky he wouldn’t even be the best coach in the state. At Florida, his reputation is solid and his ability to recruit in a super fertile state is proven.
2) You lose at Kentucky and the "firethecoachnow.com" sites pop up instantly (see T. Smith). Keep in mind that Kentucky’s last coach bolted for the not so impressive Minnesota job just to avoid the “win now or leave” mentality…or the inevitable firing.
3) All that good will, fan backing, and excellent name he has established in Gainesville goes out the door when he jumps to a conference foe.
I say the only plus to the UK job may be the posh new $30 million practice facility. Oh, and maybe a few would say having Ashley Judd as your number #1 fan!
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