Donovan to Recruits: "I'm Staying at Florida"

One of the first solid indicators about Billy Donovan's future -- from individuals actually in the know, unlike the wild speculation and rumor-mongering emanating from Lexington's sports media -- came today from one of Donovan's basketball recruits.

From AlligatorSports.org:

Life for UF men's basketball recruit Adam Allen has been a bit tumultuous lately.

For the previous several days, Allen has followed the news coverage on UF coach Billy Donovan and the vacant Kentucky coaching job after Tubby Smith went to Minnesota.

Just as Allen started to worry about his Gators future, he looked down at his cell phone.

Allen received a text message Tuesday from Donovan, who addressed the circulating rumors.

"It said he knows there are a lot of rumors going around but that he's just glad to have me, and he's looking forward to coaching me at Florida," Allen said.

Fellow recruit Nick Calathes, a McDonald's high-school All American and Florida's Mr. Basketball, also spoke publicly about attending Florida. When rumors of Donovan's potential departure to arch-rival Kentucky began circulating, Calathes stated that if Donovan left, he'd consider following the star coach to Lexington if that's where he landed. This week, Calathes changed his tune, indicating that he'd remain at Florida regardless of who coached there in '08:

"I'm a Gator. It's what I've always wanted to be. Nobody was going to talk me out of it, and if Coach leaves, we'll talk about it, but I'm a Gator. It's just about being loyal."

Could Calathes be as coy and calculating an interviewee as the media-savvy Donovan? In my view, there's only a remote chance of that. It seems to be far more likely that Calathes knows now that he'll be playing for Donovan at Florida next season -- perhaps a possibility which wasn't as strong in his eyes a few days ago. It also seems reasonable to assume that Donovan's text message about his intentions to remain at Florida to coach his '08 class went out to all his recruits, not just Adam Allen.

So why won't Donovan just come out and end speculation that he might take the Kentucky job?

Here's a simple theory for you: Donovan has too much respect for Kentucky to issue a flat 'no' without at least listening to the UK Athletic Department's offer. That catch is, he simply can't listen right now.

If you were the nation's top coach, in the midst of a Final Four run with a chance to win back-to-back national championships, would you spend more than 10 seconds considering a job offer of any kind until your season was complete?
Donovan's no dummy. He's well aware that this situation is rife with media traps and that the blame game, should Florida lose against UCLA or in the final round of the NCAA tournament, would start with him at the epicenter of the finger-pointing.

Scenario 1: Donovan says he considered the Kentucky job but decided to say "No, thanks." Florida loses. Everyone suggests that Donovan's time spent looking at other jobs cost the team a chance to make history.

Scenario 2: Donovan says he doesn't have time to consider the Kentucky job and removes his name for consideration from the Kentucky job. The sports media has a field day saying that Donovan has turned Florida into the top-tier southeastern national power at Kentucky's expense. Reports will say Donovan "snubbed" Kentucky or that the Kentucky job is overrated. Donovan is blamed for Kentucky's declining prominence in the national eye.

Scenario 3: Donovan says will consider the Kentucky job but not until his season is complete. Again, cries of outrage and indignation pour in from all corners, condemning the coach's delayed decision as a huge distraction to his team and a disservice to his University. (Both of which would be true.)

If you're Donovan, you've already thought through these scenarios and more. Unfortunately for all involved, the only safe route for the Long Island native is to toe the line perfectly and completely until he can listen to Kentucky's offer, politely decline it, and then move on.

I've followed every ounce of news and information about the Donovan to Kentucky rumor, and although I'm biased, I just can't see this happening. I believe the Big Blue Nation is due for a huge letdown if they have their hearts set on Billy Donovan ruling the roost in Lexington. Donovan's departure is not an impossibility, but rather a strong improbability. Based on the legitimate news quoted from persons truly on the know, it seems that Florida fans can rest a little easier now, and focus on Florida's chance to make history as two-time, back-to-back national champions.