Well, that was fast.
Eight days after firing Scott Brooks, the Oklahoma City Thunder have their new head coach — Billy Donovan. Multiple media outlets are reporting that the longtime Florida Gators coach has agreed to coach the Thunder, working out terms on a five-year deal.
Some would say this hire was a long time coming, considering that Oklahoma City hired two of Donovan's assistants within the past year. When Brooks was fired last Wednesday, Donovan's name immediately surfaced as a potential replacement. No coincidence.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti is said to be especially fond of Donovan... but then again, Presti failed to give James Harden a maximum contract during the summer of 2012 and we all know how that has panned out. "The Beard" is a serious MVP candidate, leading the league in scoring this season, averaging a career-high 27.4 points.
Nevertheless, in Donovan, 49, OKC is getting a coach who guided Florida to two national titles, four Final Fours, seven Elite Eights and 14 overall NCAA Tournament appearances during his 19 years at the helm of the program. That said, this will mark his first time coaching in the NBA.
While his coaching pedigree can't be argued, it's interesting that the Thunder is bringing in a first-time NBA coach to lead a group of veterans in a 2015-16 season that could very well wind up being Kevin Durant's last in Oklahoma City. In addition to that, remember that KD and Russell Westbrook publicly backed Brooks upon finding out his job was in jeopardy two weeks back.
We wonder what Durant and Westbrook think about the hire. While that remains to be seen, one former Gator and current NBA star likes his ex-coach making the jump to the league.
Big time hire for OKC. Congrats @UFCoachBillyD !!!
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons) April 30, 2015
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page.
