GAINESVILLE — Before former Florida men’s basketball coach Billy Donovan is to be enshrined in basketball history, he came back to where it all started.
Donovan received thunderous applause from the 89,451 fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the Gators football opener on Saturday, a week before he’s set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
“I’m grateful that I’ve got nominated for one and then two got inducted. So just very, very thankful,” he said.
Donovan was originally announced as a member of the 2025 class in San Antonio during the halftime break of Florida’s Final Four game against Auburn in March. One game later, the Gators broke their 18-year drought and brought a national title back to Gainesville, the first time since Donovan’s team did it in 2007.
During his tenure at the university, Florida made three national championship game appearances, winning two. Donovan also coached the team to six SEC championships, four Final Fours and 17 postseason appearances. He was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2011, 2013 and 2014.
“I look at what happened here in Florida, I didn’t grab a rebound or make an assist or, you know, make a free throw. I didn’t. I was fortunate that, you know, there was a lot of faith and belief, quite honestly,” he said.
Donovan’s path to the NBA began with buyer’s regret. In 2007, the Orlando Magic enticedthe then-UF coach with a head coaching job. But, following an emotional news conference,Donovan changed his mind and returned to Gainesville, reportedly agreeing not to coach foranother professional team for five years.
In 2015, Donovan snagged a job with the Oklahoma City Thunder and signed a five-year, $30 million contract to finally join the NBA. Each year, the team made the postseason but struggled to get past the first round. After talks of an extension fell apart, Donovan moved to Chicago to coach the Bulls.
His time in the Windy City has been less glamorous than in Gainesville. This year, the Bullsfinished ninth in the Eastern Conference and lost in the play-in tournament for the third time.Despite this, the Bulls demonstrated their belief in their head coach, signing a multiyear contract extension July 27. The financial terms or the contract length were not released.
Providence College also retired No. 34 in honor of Donovan in February for his collegeplaying days. In his four years with the Friars, he helped lead the team to an NCAA Final Fourappearance and was named MVP of the Southeast Regional in the 1986-87 season.
“I never got in the game of basketball, thinking or dreaming some places would happen,” hesaid. “I got into the game playing because I love playing.”
Originally Published: August 31, 2025 at 10:43 AM EDT