Billy Donovan, Oklahoma City Thunder have begun talks

By Ernie Padaon | Apr 29, 2015

Mar 12, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan walks the sidelines during the second half of the second round against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Florida won 69-61. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oklahoma City Thunder have started talks with Billy Donovan to become the team’s new head coach.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are putting in work to bring in their new head coach. After firing head coach Scott Brooks just a week ago, the team is looking in the direction of Billy Donovan to take over the coaching vacancy in OKC. The team has already started some of the discussions with Donovan according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

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Donovan has spent 21 seasons in the college game with Marshall and Florida and holds a career record of 502-206. He holds 2 national championships as the Gators head coach. His team failed to make the tournament this season though with a 16-17 record. It could be time for Donovan to move on to the NBA level.

How will Donovan fair in the NBA? Donovan almost took a job with the Orlando Magic a few seasons ago, but instead backed out and chose to stay in Florida. The Oklahoma City Thunder have a solid roster and would present an amazing opportunity for Donovan. When you can get a roster with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, then it is a job that should be very enticing for Donovan.

Will Kevin Durant like that opportunity to play with Donovan? That will be the question that needs to be answered. Durant becomes a free agent after next season and will be very influential on who will be brought in as the new head coach. Whoever the team decides to bring in as the head coach will likely need to be approved by Durant. The team does not want to lose their top player in free agency.

The Thunder just missed out on the playoffs with a 45-37 record. They missed out on the final spot in the Western Conference to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Durant was only able to play in 27 games this season and that was a huge reason for the team missing out on the playoffs. Westbrook tried to put the team on his back with Durant out, but he came up just short of the playoffs. The team still had a winning record though.

Donovan would be a great coach to bring into town. All he does is win. With 2 national championships in Florida, he makes the most of the talent that he brings to town. He doesn’t get the recruiting class like John Calipari, but he still puts out top basketball teams onto the court. He turned a football school into a basketball powerhouse. He would look to bring his winning ways to the NBA.

San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina is also on the list of coaches that could be considered.

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