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| Joined: | Sun Sep 4th, 2005 |
| Location: | Florida &, Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 11288 |
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Dear Alumni and Friends,
If you're like me, it was a something of a bittersweet moment when you
heard that head basketball Coach Billy Donovan was leaving the Gators to
take over as coach of the Orlando Magic.
But bitter certainly isn't an emotion I feel when I think of Billy. On the
contrary, I couldn't be happier for him and the wonderful opportunity he
has to coach in the NBA. When I think of what Billy accomplished for the
University of Florida during his 11-season tenure, I'm amazed. A 261-103
record. Nine straight 20-win seasons. Nine consecutive NCAA Tournament
berths. Three trips to the NCAA Championship game (2000, 2006, 2007).
And of course, there's the icing on the cake: A dream team that chalked up
the Gators' first back-to-back NCAA Men's Division I Championships in 2006
and 2007. Billy will leave as UF's winningest coach.
Simply put, he did the job and he did it well. For that, we are grateful.
As Billy moves on to other challenges, we will begin the search for his
successor (Notice I didn't say "replacement" -- no one will ever replace
Billy.) I have complete faith and confidence in Athletic Director Jeremy
Foley's ability to scour the country and find yet another terrifically
talented and qualified head basketball coach.
Please join me in wishing Billy Donovan and his family the best of luck in
his future endeavors.
Go Gators!
Bernie.
________________________________
University of Florida - Office of the President
<http://www.president.ufl.edu/>
226 Tigert Hall, PO Box 113150, Gainesville, FL 32611