UPDATE II:, 4:52: Donovan, per an official statement: “I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here.”
UPDATE, 4:49 p.m.: “Kentucky and its fans deserve a coach that understands this is just not another coaching job,” AD Mitch Barnhart said at his press conference. “It is a philosophical disparity that could not be repaired.” Barnhart did take questions.
On status of buyout: “Because we could never negotiate a long-term contract, we were working under the agreement of a memorandum … it serves as a year-to-year contract, and we’ll be in contact with Billy’s legal counsel. … It will be less than [$6 million].”
On who is next: “There is no successor in place and that process will be getting started. One of things people were concerned about before was there as no Kentuck [person] involved. … I’ve watched Kentucky basketball for a long time. … So we had conversations with a lot of people, and Mike Pratt, our color analyst is going to work with us a little bit and spend some time with folks that might be interested in coaching our basketball program.”
Will the school conduct interviews this weekend: “I don’t think so at this juncture.”
Oh, didn’t you hear? There is some news trickling out of Lexington that Billy Gillispie and Kentucky have decided to stop playing together. Press conference is scheduled for 4:30. “Kentucky assistant coach Glynn Cyprien was seen leaving the UK basketball offices after the announcement, carrying a box of office supplies. He said the coaching staff had been ordered to leave by 5 p.m.” Hey, what’s the rush?
This report out of Fox 35 in Orlando is saying Donovan is on his way out and going to Kentucky.
Andy Katz just said on ESPNews he’d be extremely shocked if Donovan did this because he already turned down UK and the situation hasn’t changed.
Gillispie out as Kentucky coach {Herald-Leader}
