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In the coming hours to days no doubt a lot will be said about the greatness that was Billy Donovan's coaching tenure at UF. They will write about all the wins, all the SEC titles, Final Four appearances, back-to-back national titles, all the players sent to the NBA, the big recruits swayed from more traditional college basketball powerhouses, the exciting style of play pressing on defense and bombing 3s on offense, his good works and community involvement in the Gainesville area, and just the overall professionalism in the way he represented UF.
But one of the most unique and impressive traits I found about Coach Donovan was the way he spoke with unfailing honesty and candor. He was a coach who talked with substance, with passion, and with detail. I've worked in the media so I always have a keen ear out for what people say and how they say it. Coach Donovan always spoke with clarity and conviction when he was questioned by the press, or courtside during a basketball game, or making any public statements on behalf of his team. In short, what came out of his mouth was always worth every moment of our time to listen. And that is rare commodity in the coaching profession.
Coach Donovan didn't speak in clichés, didn't give vague answers, and didn't offer the usual mumbo-jumbo coach-speak and platitudes. When asked a question, he told us like it is, and if necessary, with warts and all. He wasn't afraid to offer fair and honest criticism about his team and players when warranted, just as he could heap colorful and artful praise when they earned it. Reflecting on specific moments in a game, he could explain situations with impressive recall... something that always fascinated me when at UF I had the good fortune to work with Coach Spurrier. The psychology embedded in Coach Donovan's answers always intrigued me, too. It's as if he knew the impact his words could have and he rehearsed them prior to even receiving the precise question. He really was a brilliant thinker and even better communicator. Those talents don't come in hand in hand (see Bill Belicheck). Most of all, despite the situation Coach Donovan always appeared composed and level-headed. I can't think of a time when he acted with disrespect or really blew a gasket in dealing with the media.
In his 19 years on the Florida sidelines, I've watched hundreds of Gator basketball games on TV, or listened to them on the radio. I can assure you every time Coach Donovan was brought to a microphone - pregame, before or after halftime, or postgame - I stopped what I was doing because I expected Billy Donovan would say something interesting and enlightening. He never disappointed.
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LEEisaG8R
Growing old on the VS
(172.2.4.34) on 4/30/2015 - 2:34 p.m. says: ( 290 views
, 16 likes
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