GAINESVILLE, Fla. – If Billy Donovan expected last weekend to be one of those lay-around-the-pool-and-read-a-good-book escapes, his cell phone spoiled any chance of that happening.
By Sunday night, Donovan’s phone was glued to his ear as he worked unexpectedly to rebuild his coaching staff.
Assistant coach Richard Pitino informed him on Saturday that he was likely heading to Louisville to join his father Rick’s staff. And then on Sunday, assistant Rob Lanier let Donovan know that after four years with the Gators he had an opportunity to head back to Texas, where his family has strong ties left from their first stint in Austin.
This all less than 10 days after associate head coach Larry Shyatt left after seven years as Donovan’s right-hand man to return to Wyoming to become a head coach again.
So for a day or so, Donovan was a one-man coaching staff.
“The last 40 hours have been kind of crazy,’’ Donovan said Tuesday afternoon. “Sometimes in coaching, you never know about timing and how some things are going to happen. Two situations came up for both Richard Pitino and Rob Lanier.
“I look at it this way: when you get really, really good people, there’s going to be opportunities.’’
Did Donovan panic? Not a chance.
He’s no longer Billy the Kid – more like Professor Donovan after four trips to the Elite Eight, three Final Four appearances and two national titles in 15 seasons at UF.
Donovan knew that with a recruiting period set to open Friday and the current players soon breaking for the summer when spring classes end, that he needed to work fast.
In less than two days, Donovan had former Arkansas coach John Pelphrey – who worked with Donovan for six years at UF prior to becoming a head coach – and former St. John’s head coach Norm Roberts on board.
The moves were an instant hit Tuesday afternoon once news started to spread, drawing positive reviews from college basketball insiders from around the country.
“Great hires,’’ ESPN analyst Dick Vitale tweeted. “Both have big-time head coaching experience. Wow, what a terrific staff.’’
“Nice moves by Billy,’’ tweeted Gary Parrish, a national columnist for CBSSports.com.
Donovan was already working to replace Shyatt, but he altered his approach when receiving word Pitino and Lanier were moving on. In a matter of 10 days, 13 years of service from Donovan’s staff last year was gone.
All three had opportunities they felt they couldn’t pass up, and Donovan encouraged them the way he did Virginia Commonwealth coach Shaka Smart two years ago. Smart had only been on Donovan’s staff for one season, but when VCU made him an offer to take over the program after another former Donovan assistant, Anthony Grant, left for Alabama, Smart hesitated.
“He almost didn’t take the VCU job because he felt so guilty for only being here for 10 months,’’ Donovan said. “I pushed him out the door because I told him it was a great job and he needed to go. I’ve been really, really fortunate. I’ve had a lot guys who have been able to go on and go into head-coaching situations.’’
Smart is undoubtedly glad he listened after leading VCU to the Final Four.
So as Shyatt, Pitino and Lanier move on to start the latest chapters in their coaching careers, Donovan is starting another one as well.
His longtime friend Pelphrey was expected to arrive in town sometime Tuesday night. Roberts is expected on campus Wednesday.
One of the first tasks is to meet the current Gators and to start making connections that they can build on when practice starts in the fall. When talking to the two former head coaches, Donovan wanted to know if they were looking at the job as a quick step back up the ladder or would they like to hang around a while.
It was an important factor in his decision-making process.
“If they are just coming here to be a head coach, I don’t want that,’’ he said. “I want someone who is totally entrenched in the University of Florida, wants to help build Florida, wants Florida to continue to move in the right direction, and then you know what, I think if you are successful and we have a lot of success, then that’s what really opens up the doors of opportunity.’’
Donovan heard the same concerns when Shyatt, who had been head coach at Clemson, first arrived in 2004. Shyatt assured him he was invested in Florida’s program. After the Gators won two national titles in Shyatt’s first three seasons here, the job offers started coming in.
He stayed seven years until finally deciding to move on. Donovan is comfortable that Pelphrey and Roberts want to be here.
In Pelphrey, Donovan already has built-in chemistry. That was very important considering the unusual circumstances he faced during his weekend on the phone.
“I know John. John knows the league and he knows what I’m going to be looking for and wanting in recruiting,’’ Donovan said. “He’s very excited. He went through a difficult situation at Arkansas, but one of the things I felt like I needed was certainly familiarity.’’
As for Roberts, he is a product of New York like Donovan. The two have never worked together, but Donovan knows plenty of people who know Roberts well. He asked questions and liked the feedback.
In the end, it was an easy decision to bring not just one, but two former head coaches onto the staff.
“Norm is a terrific recruiter, a very high-character person,’’ Donovan said. “I think he will be great for our program, for our team, for our kids.’’
By Friday, Donovan said the new coaches will be out recruiting and building new relationships. Once they get back, they’ll start building their own team.
Donovan still has one more vacancy to fill and is receiving plenty of interest. He’ll eventually round out his staff in the coming days. For now, he can finally put down the phone for a minute.
After all, Donovan won’t be alone when it’s time to take a photo of the coaching staff for next season’s media guide.
“I certainly felt very strongly about Norm and about John,’’ he said. “I wanted to get two people in place very quickly who could make a great impact.’’
