When Billy Donovan, or Billy D as I like to call him, took the Orlando Job for a day he talked about how staying at Florida would be the easy thing to do.  That was the only time I’ve ever disagreed with what the greatest coach in Florida basketball history said.

And for some reason that betrayal just for a day cut deeply into this man’s admiration for the black haired fast talking ever serious coach from Providence.  That was an open wound until this day, with rumors flying about claiming Donovan was taking the Kentucky job this man’s first reaction after shock was he wanted to leave us once before so why not now.

(Another reason for Billy D to stay is to quit scaring Anthony Grant, above.  You wonder if Foley has Grant’s cell on speed dial.)

Thought how disappointed Billy looked at the end of the Penn State game, Florida couldn’t keep up and the Gators missed a nice trip to Madison Square.  Wondered if he was still happy at Florida?

But those rumors didn’t last long, thankfully.  My thinking gets squirrelly in a hurry when Donovan or Meyer are mentioned as going anywhere but Florida.

Was on a trip back from Orlando and listening to 1080am, those dudes earlier sited a source from Gainesville who they thought was solid.  They felt it was a done deal that Billy D was going to be the next Kentucky coach. And boy were those guys yakking their heads off about it.

About half way back Donovan’s statement was read…

‘I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here.’

The Billy door was closed on Big Blue!

My two year old Magic wound healed up that very moment. Can’t speak for anyone else I’ve always loved Billy D, admire him in so many ways.  Would think he’s the type of man who wouldn’t ever let you down, never let down his players, his family, his duties as a husband, as a father and as a man.

To me what he’s done at Florida is simply amazing. Not disappointed over this season at all. It feels like you’re a grilled cheese when your team doesn’t make the NCAA tourney but give this team Maruice Speights and you’re probably talking sweet sixteen maybe a little more. Things happen.

And what Billy D is doing right now is the challenge. He’s won the back-to-back championships. Now it’s can he win another, that’s the supreme challenge.

You’re talking much more of a challenge than going to the Orlando Magic, and so much more of a challenge than Kentucky would offer.

We are talking Florida! The Gators history on the hardwood was almost as snake bit as the pre-Spurrier football history.

The hard thing to do was return to Florida! This man thinks Donovan has realized that is the great challenge, as long as he doesn’t wear himself out it seems he will be in the DonoDome till the cows come home.  And that’s a darn good thing!

It’s a matter of time till Billy D wins his next championship at Florida, it will happen, and when it does the streets will be filled at midnight, the bells in Gainesville will ring again, and they will sign, ‘Hail, Florida, Hail!’

Gainesville is blessed to have such a man as Billy D, and he doesn’t talk near as fast as he used too.