Billy Donovan’s history with the Orlando Magic over the years has been quite the mess.
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Video Transcript
Would you rehire a head coach who once quit on your team after just four days on the job?
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That’s what the Magic might do with Billy Donovan.
In 2007, Billy Donovan was the top college basketball coach in the nation, having just won back-to-back titles in Florida.
So the Orlando Magic lured him to the NBA with a five-year, $27.5 million contract.
Donovan had a big introductory press conference with the Magic, and the message boards were abuzz with hope and optimism for their new coach.
But just days after that introductory press conference, Donovan got cold feet and decided he was conflicted and did not want to coach in the NBA.
The Magic eventually agreed to release him from his contract on the condition that he not coach in the NBA for five years.
Donovan returned to Florida and the Magic hired Stan Van Gundy, who just two years later led them to the NBA finals.