Billy Donovan is focused — and not on Kentucky, either.
The rumors swirling about the Florida coach already agreeing to a deal to leave
Gainesville for Lexington and replace Tubby Smith at Kentucky are false.
According to sources close to the situation, Donovan hasn't even spoken with
anyone from Kentucky since Smith was run out of town.
Donovan isn't going to let this become a distraction to his team. However,
expect a decision from the Donovan camp shortly after the Gators' season
concludes.
Donovan would be smart to at least hear what Kentucky has to say. However, he
has a terrific relationship with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley. The
other potential option for Donovan may be the lure of the NBA and the Miami Heat.
Here's a thought: If Mitch Barnhart doesn't get Donovan, why not go after
Donovan's best friend and ex-Kentucky standout, John Pelphrey?
Pelphrey, 38, has had success with South Alabama (two straight 20-win
seasons), has proven he can recruit elite level guys while an assistant under
Donovan — and knows how to deal with the pressure in Lexington.
His number is retired after playing from 1989-92 in Lexington.
I'm not going to say Tom Crean, Billy Gillispie or even Tom Izzo can't get it
done in Lexington. However, Pelphrey "gets it" because he's been a
part of it.
Things are starting to heat up in Iowa.
Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl, who worked under Tom Davis as an assistant with
the Hawkeyes from 1986-92, has been mentioned. However, he came out with a
statement on Tuesday to squash any rumors.
"It was never a consideration for me to leave Tennessee," Pearl
said.
That's smart — since it would be a lateral move at best.
Other names involved, according to a source close to the program, include
Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings, Creighton's Dana Altman and Southern Illinois
head coach Chris Lowery.
Gregg Marshall turned down the South Florida gig, but has not signed an
extension to remain at Winthrop.
Marshall has a 10-year offer worth about $475,000 per year on the table and
the school will also name the court after him. However, sources indicate that
Marshall is still waiting to see what other opportunities arise over the next
couple of weeks.
Now the front-runners for the South Florida opening (after Marshall, Pelphrey
and Fran Fraschilla all pulled out) appear to be former Virginia coach Pete
Gillen and Stan Heath, who was just fired at Arkansas.
Heath has not been contacted, but sources indicate he'd be interested in
heading to Tampa and taking on the challenge of trying to get South Florida into
the NCAA tournament. Heath is coming off a pair of 20-win seasons and leaves a
team coming back that will be favored to win the SEC west.
Long Beach State/Santa Clara
Three candidates who have interviewed for the Long Beach State job are UCLA
assistant Kerry Keating, Washington assistant Cameron Dollar and former
Minnesota coach Dan Monson. Keating is also in the mix for the opening at Santa
Clara — along with Cal assistant Louis Reynaud and Santa Clara assistant Sam
Scuilli.
Now that Air Force has been knocked out of the NIT, expect Jeff Bzdelik to
meet with Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn.
Sources indicate that if all goes well with their meeting, Bzdelik will take
the Buffs job, replacing Ricardo Patton.
Iona
Gillen has emerged as the leader, but there are several other names popping
up. DePaul assistant Gary DeCesare, UConn assistant Tom Moore, Villanova
assistant Ed Pinckney and Louisville assistant Steve Masiello.
Michigan
Georgia Tech's Paul Hewitt withdrew his name from consideration. UNLV's Lon
Kruger appears to be the leading candidate at this time with guys like Southern
Illinois' Chris Lowery, Vandy's Kevin Stallings and West Virginia's John Beilein
also in the mix.
We're still hearing that Albany's Will Brown can have the job if he wants it.
Brown met with St. Bonaventure athletic director Steve Watson late last week.
Eastern Kentucky's Jeff Neubauer, Vermont's Mike Lonergan and Marist's Matt Brady have all withdrawn their names from consideration.
In Case You Missed It: Saul Phillips got the North Dakota State job
and Roger Reid is in at Southern Utah.