There's a rumor saying that Billy Donovan, Florida's 2-time NCAA Champion winning coach, will be interviewing for the State job within the next couple days.
I have a hard time believing that. He's got a good thing going in Florida. Despite a couple down years after the second NCAA Championship they've rebounded and almost made it to the Final Four this year.
I will grant that SEC basketball is not ACC basketball. Some of these rumors say that Donovan is frustrated that Florida is heavily a football school. Maybe so. But keep putting banners in the rafters of the basketball arena and you'll get your share of attention. I don't think Florida basketball suffers a lack of attention.
Some of these rumors say that Donovan and Debbie Yow have developed a relationship of mutual respect since she has become State AD. That seems like a legit fact. Some rumors say Donovan's relationship with his AD has started to sour badly. Maybe. And some say that he feels like he's done everything he can at Florida and he's interested in the next challenge. That being coming to Tobacco Road to slug it out with Duke and UNC 3-4 times a year. Some high achieving coaches may walk away from an established and decorated program to do that.
Personally I just don't see it happening. Some "anonymous sources" have been saying for a week that State intents on making a blockbuster coaching move. Donovan would be it. But unless the situation with his AD and his belief in the future of the program have deteriorated way beyond anything that's gone public, I just can't see this happening. Donovan turned down Kentucky a couple years ago, though having to coach against Florida every year could have factored in to that.
I do think it behooves State to come up with a slam dunk coach. Someone either with big track record or someone who's currently a hot commodity (Shaka Smart of VCU). They need their best possible chance to keep the rising sophomores in the program and to keep the incoming recruits, especially that 7'0" center who seems to get more and more positive buzz every day for the last couple weeks, coming. Nailing the coaching search could keep anyone from jumping ship. If everyone were to stay intact, State would have a core talented enough to be an NCAA Tournament team. Sure they have to replace Tracy Smith but if the sophomores grow, along with Richard Howell and a freshman contribution, and the new coach can get them to not underachieve, then could win 20 games in the regular season.
Or they totally blow the search, there are mass transfers and de-commitments and they win 8 games next year like Wake Forest. If they "settle" like they did when they got Lowe last time that could be what happens. I didn't mind the Lowe hire, bringing someone in from the Wolfpack Family with some passion. Something like that again would make the program take 2 steps back. Lowe brought a connection to the 1983 National Championship game, a reconnection to NC State legacy, passion for the program, and a knowledge of NBA sets. It didn't work out, because he didn't bring focus on defense, team chemistry building skills, an ability to transmit emphasis on the fundamentals, etc. Somewhere the communication or the ability to teach just wasn't there.
Billy Donovan may even be able to keep CJ Leslie in Raleigh and get him to maximize that considerable potential. I just can't imagine why he would leave Gainesville for Raleigh.
No comments:
Post a Comment