Billy Donovan
Billy Donovan
William John Donovan, Jr.is an American professional basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association. He previously spent 19 seasons at the University of Florida, where his Florida Gators men's basketball teams won two NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships in 2006 and 2007. Donovan has more wins than any other coach in the history of the Florida basketball program, and he coached the Gators to more NCAA tournament appearances,...
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth30 May 1965
CityRockville Centre, NY
bother build business gotten negativity older pride realize trying
At the time, it did bother me but as I've gotten older in this business I realize there can be a lot of negativity and things said. I take a lot of pride in trying to build a program.
basketball build create happened level remember rest state terms trying university
What happened is significant in basketball in the state of Florida, is significant to the University of Florida. To be a part of it, as I am, I'll remember this for the rest of my life. I'll remember these 10 years, in terms of trying to build things and create a level of consistency.
build scratch start win
When you can start something from scratch and build it up to win a championship, that's something special.
basketball bud build chance great hold program randy remember touched work
He was a great guy. It was such a tragedy, what happened. He touched a lot of lives. I know with St. Francis, he and (athletic director) Randy Maris had a lot of plans, he wanted to give Bud the chance to build a basketball program and unfortunately it didn't work out. At least his family, his kids, will have something they can hold to and remember him by.
build tradition trying
We are trying to build tradition. Kentucky's the one that has the tradition and we are trying to get there.
anytime basketball building college cost equalizer field good greatest guard inability limit line night percent shoot shot team
I've often said the greatest equalizer in college basketball is the 3-point line. They outscored us by 12 from the 3-point line. Our inability to limit them to one shot and inability to guard the 3-point line cost us. Anytime a team can come into your building and shoot 53 percent from the field and 47 percent from the 3-point line, you have to have a very, very good night on offense.
build start trying
It has to start somewhere. That's what we are trying to build at Florida. It's never been done, never been sustained.
build start trying
That's what we're trying to build here at Florida. That's what we're trying to create. It has to start somewhere.
build faculty game rep scratch start win
Our faculty rep said to me before the game that when you start with something from scratch and you build it up to win a championship, that's something special.
build faculty game greatest huge rep
Our faculty rep said before the game that the greatest thing is to build something from scratch. This is a huge milestone.
against beat carolina challenge emotion face facet game good great home kids last performed played points season second south start team time totally win
This will be our second time to face South Carolina this season. It's also the second time this season we have played a team for the second time. They played with great emotion the last time we played each other. We got off to a good start early, but they were the better team that night. It was a six-point win for them, but they had us down 15 points at one point. This game will be a challenge for us. They have competitive kids and they totally out performed us. They beat us in every facet of the game. The challenge to our team is to take it one game to the next. Our last time against them is over. Our last home game is over.
corey critical final found game happy hitting night rebound shots stepped
This was a night when Corey Brewer really stepped up for us. He made some big shots and some plays. He was hitting on his 3s and also had the critical rebound in the final minute. I'm happy for him. He really found his game and his rhythm.
confidence crazy decisions defender physical putting
There are going to be times when he makes crazy decisions with the ball. But he's such a fast, quick, physical defender that I have a lot of confidence putting him in there.
hit hitting moving
When you hit him, it's like hitting a wall. You're not moving him back.