Donovan to Magic. Tony Woods to Cincinnati?

[Kindog202]

May be early but I just saw on CBS Sportsline that Donovan is a "lock" to become the next head coach of the Magic. If this is the case, then it definitely improves our chances of landing Tony Woods. This is just a preliminary report but I thought I would post to get some discussion started.

[waterhead]

That's great news! Tony...I think it's time for your visit to UC:)

[CincySuperFan]

Billy must really like the weather in Florida?!? That only helps us!

[Mick's Da Man]

Time for Billy's big payday.

[CroninCrazy]

Per ESPN: Donovan confirmed that he accepted.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Time for Billy's big payday.

Reportedly $28 million over next 5 years.

About as much as Mike, Keith, and Brett make off Bearcat News.

Minus $27.99 million, that is.

(J/K of course)

[Big B]

This will effect a quite a few recruits. It appears to be Xavier Gibson #1 choice, maybe that will send him in our directions. But more importantly it will probably send Samardo Samuels(#1 center recruit in the country) to the BE but not UC, 6 BE teams on his list.

[dp3113]

in a rivals article today, Woods did not report UC amongst his top 5.

[red_n_black_attack]

in a rivals article today, Woods did not report UC amongst his top 5.

I'm not usually a conspiracy theorist, do you think Mick asks kids to not mention UC? It makes sense because as soon as they mention UC, they have Loserville and West no tooth State breathing down their neck cause their coaches know that Mick has an eye for hidden talent.

Speaking of which, could one of the historians fill in the gaps in my memory? Did Mick recruit Kenyon and was Kenyon highly rated coming out of school?

Thanks to all

[waterhead]

It's crazy that you can see an article which states from his (Tony's) own words that Florida and UC are recruiting him the hardest and showing the other teams how it's done. Also stating that he will be visiting this summer and that he really has a great relationship with one of our coaches.

Then you see a list that doesn't even have UC in the top 5. What am I missing here? What good does it do a kid to make it look like he is interested in a school if he is not? Specially a kid that has interest from so many other high D1 programs.

Is he or isn't he interested in UC??????

[shaunsimpson]

It will be very tough to get him out of the South. If I grew up in the south it would be very hard to get me out of there as well.

[jeffto]

It will be very tough to get him out of the South.

Is there evidence that he wants to stay in the South? It seems to me we've gotten a lot of players from the south.

[waterhead]

Is there evidence that he wants to stay in the South? It seems to me we've gotten a lot of players from the south.

I will agree with both of you. Most players like to stay semi-close to home but we have certainly had our luck with GA and TX over the years. Has he stated that he wants to stay in the south? He has stated that UC is doing a great job of recruiting him...

Cincinnati is not that far from the south anyway. I live in Atlanta and can get to Cincy in about 7 hours by car.

[JR71]

I have heard that both Gibson and Woods would like to stay in the south. Like somebody else said it will be tough to get them to leave. I don't know who Florida plans to hire but I'm sure it will be somebody that will still be able to recruit kids there and win games. Even with Donovan gone I still expect Florida to be on top recruiting lists.

Oh and I highly doubt that Mick has asked kids not to mention UC. He is good with recruiting but so are the guys you think just wait to see who he is after.

[james jr]

It's crazy that you can see an article which states from his (Tony's) own words that Florida and UC are recruiting him the hardest and showing the other teams how it's done. Also stating that he will be visiting this summer and that he really has a great relationship with one of our coaches.

Then you see a list that doesn't even have UC in the top 5. What am I missing here? What good does it do a kid to make it look like he is interested in a school if he is not? Specially a kid that has interest from so many other high D1 programs.

Is he or isn't he interested in UC??????

I read 3 separate articles, 2 Rivals and one Georgia Bulldog Blog and they all quoted him as saying Folrida was in the lead. However all 3 listed UC among his top choices. I agree with some opinions I have read here on this forum that Rivals/Jerry Meyer is not always accurate or consistent. A Scout article I read listed UC among his top seven.

[Big B]

[QUOTE=JR71;2935]I have heard that both Gibson and Woods would like to stay in the south. Like somebody else said it will be tough to get them to leave. I don't know who Florida plans to hire but I'm sure it will be somebody that will still be able to recruit kids there and win games. Even with Donovan gone I still expect Florida to be on top recruiting lists.

This will probably be Florida's new coach. He will probably aid in keeping the 07 recruits because he helped recruit them. But I doubt he helps with 08 recruits.

http://florida.scout.com/2/648120.html

[JR71]

I thought they would try to go after a big name coach but this could end up being a pretty good hire. I was impressed by his VCU team last year. I loved watching them take out Duke. They should be able to keep their 2007 recruits and still bring in some top guys in 2008.

[Nerf]

Gee, I'm surprised they didn't interview Frank Martin. :rolleyes:

[CroninCrazy]

I'm not usually a conspiracy theorist, do you think Mick asks kids to not mention UC? It makes sense because as soon as they mention UC, they have Loserville and West no tooth State breathing down their neck cause their coaches know that Mick has an eye for hidden talent.

Speaking of which, could one of the historians fill in the gaps in my memory? Did Mick recruit Kenyon and was Kenyon highly rated coming out of school?

Thanks to all

I don't know if he recruited Kenyon, but if I remember correctly, Kenyon was a Top 100 player, maybe mid 70's?

[CincySuperFan]

Florida has really hit a tough time to lure a new coach. Most guys are hard into their 08 recruiting and a change of venue might hurt some relationships.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I don't know if he recruited Kenyon, but if I remember correctly, Kenyon was a Top 100 player, maybe mid 70's?

Mick did not recruit K-Mart (in 1996). K-Mart was Top 25 to 50 range in HS.

[bearcated]

I'm not sure K-mart was even that highly rated coming out of high school. He was physically talented, but he was a pure athelete as opposed to the skilled guy he became. He always had the quick feet and high motor. His first couple years he really did not have much of an offensive game. He developed that later.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

I'm not sure K-mart was even that highly rated coming out of high school. He was physically talented, but he was a pure athelete as opposed to the skilled guy he became. He always had the quick feet and high motor. His first couple years he really did not have much of an offensive game. He developed that later.

Indeed he was - Bob Gibbons had him in his Top 25. HoopScoop had him #56.

[The real Bearcat Fan]

I think Florida will get a good coach and continue as one of the nation's top programs with whoever they get to replace Billy Donovan.

[jkwuc89]

Reports this morning indicate that Donovan may back out from his agreement with the Magic and return to Florida. Apparently, Donovan has not signed his contract with the Magic yet.

[Kindog202]

Reports this morning indicate that Donovan may back out from his agreement with the Magic and return to Florida. Apparently, Donovan has not signed his contract with the Magic yet.

The way I understand it is he did sign the contract and has talked to the Magic about letting him out of the contract. Andy Katz last night on Sportscenter reported this going on to state that if the Magic let him out of the contract he will return to Florida, but the decision is in the MAgic's hand as they have the signed contract. Katz also indicated that since a contract had been signed, the Magic could let Donovan out of the contract but sue him for breach of contract. My prediction is that he ends up back in Gainesville, probably with some sort of suit filed or financial penalty extracted from him. If I were the Magic, I wouldn't hold someone to the contract who suddenly changed his mind and no longer wanted to be there, but I probably would want something in return given all the lost P.R.