2008 Woodie Awards
Post madness: Gator life after NCAA finals
Brant Wilkerson-New: Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Sports
The last time a college basketball program won back-to-back national titles, it set off a national hatred that has lasted more than a decade.
Oh, and that universal disdain for the Blue Devils is still going strong.
Who knows what the consensus will be on the Florida Gators in a decade, but shortly after winning their second title in a row, it's awfully hard not to love the Gators.
Before coach Billy Donovan could even enjoy his second trophy, he was being peppered with questions about taking the job at Kentucky.
The premier coaching job in the country was reportedly ready to offer him nearly $4 million to come to Lexington. It's hard not to listen when Kentucky comes calling.
Kentucky also has something Florida will never be able to offer Donovan: being the biggest show in town. I'd be willing to bet that plenty halftime conversations at the national championship game revolved around Tim Tebow and the losses on the defensive side of the ball.
So, with the chance to take a massive pay-raise and get an ego boost for being the most wanted man in coaching, Donovan had to think about it, right?
Nope. He didn't even listen to Kentucky's pitch. He said he didn't even ask about the financial package Kentucky was prepared to offer.
"I felt like the right thing to do was to be able to make a decision without stringing anybody on," Donovan said. "I have too much respect for [Florida Athletics Director] Jeremy [Foley] and the job he does here … and the University of Florida."
Typically, coaches use these job inquiries to try to squeeze out a new contract from the school they're at. Donovan didn't even put Foley on ice, just for a minute.
"Jeremy and I met this morning, and before he and I talked about contracts or anything, I told him that I wanted to be at Florida," Donovan said. "This is where I wanted to be; I am committed to being here."
Some would call Donovan crazy for wanting to be there right now, with his entire starting lineup leaving the program at the very same press conference.
Oh, and that universal disdain for the Blue Devils is still going strong.
Who knows what the consensus will be on the Florida Gators in a decade, but shortly after winning their second title in a row, it's awfully hard not to love the Gators.
Before coach Billy Donovan could even enjoy his second trophy, he was being peppered with questions about taking the job at Kentucky.
The premier coaching job in the country was reportedly ready to offer him nearly $4 million to come to Lexington. It's hard not to listen when Kentucky comes calling.
Kentucky also has something Florida will never be able to offer Donovan: being the biggest show in town. I'd be willing to bet that plenty halftime conversations at the national championship game revolved around Tim Tebow and the losses on the defensive side of the ball.
So, with the chance to take a massive pay-raise and get an ego boost for being the most wanted man in coaching, Donovan had to think about it, right?
Nope. He didn't even listen to Kentucky's pitch. He said he didn't even ask about the financial package Kentucky was prepared to offer.
"I felt like the right thing to do was to be able to make a decision without stringing anybody on," Donovan said. "I have too much respect for [Florida Athletics Director] Jeremy [Foley] and the job he does here … and the University of Florida."
Typically, coaches use these job inquiries to try to squeeze out a new contract from the school they're at. Donovan didn't even put Foley on ice, just for a minute.
"Jeremy and I met this morning, and before he and I talked about contracts or anything, I told him that I wanted to be at Florida," Donovan said. "This is where I wanted to be; I am committed to being here."
Some would call Donovan crazy for wanting to be there right now, with his entire starting lineup leaving the program at the very same press conference.
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