GAINESVILLE -- OK, people in Kentucky seem pretty confident that the Wildcats' basketball coach is dunzo. (Apparently, the UKers read my blog post a few weeks back and acted accordingly.) The big question now, assuming Gillispie is gone ($6 million buyout), is whether or not Kentucky will go after Florida coach Billy Donovan. There's a window in Donovan's contract that allows him to walk away from Florida with little monetary recourse between March 1 and April 1.
So, there's this website called flightaware.com, right? And on this website you can track most any plane in the sky, right? This website is great for filling the imaginations of rum-dumb reporters and message board junkies. Take for example a flight that's in progress right now. There's a two-engine Cessna, tail number FIV342, flying from St. Augustine to Lexington, Ky., right now. CLICK ME! Is Billy Donovan on this flight? After all, he has a house in Crescent Beach, which is about 20 minutes away from the St. Augustine Airport. The plane is set to arrive in Lexington at 1:20 p.m. Will UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart be waiting at the airport with a sack full of cash?
See how easy that was?
Stay tuned. Donovan's not talking and the UF insiders I've spoken with are in the dark on this one.
-jo-
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Airports are public facilities. If he is flying to the airport mentioned, someone will spot his arrival.
As a former pilot I know that general aviation has people coming and going to and from all parts at all times. To read anything into a plane going from St. Augustine to Kentucky would be foolish. Seeing him on terra firma in Lexington would be a whole different can of worms.
Goody, get on the horn and send one of your minions to the field for verification. I know you have a broad network. Send Andreu as his services won't be missed locally.
SAY IT ISN'T SO BILLY D !
Posted by: 14-0-ToPasadenaWeGo | March 27, 2009 at 01:18 PM
1) Wouldn't UF have to give permission for UK to interview him?
2) Didn't Billy D. go through this already and turn them down after the '07 season?
3) Maybe this is why Anthony Grant hasn't signed with Alabama yet...
I just don't see why he'd want to uproot his family from a town he's lived in for like 15 years now to got to Kentucky where they will throw him out if he has two more bad seasons. Not to mention Patterson didn't want to play for him and he has Calathes already with Boynton and Macklin coming in...
Posted by: Adam S. | March 27, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Adam,
You're right. None of this makes any sense.
-jo-
Posted by: Goody | March 27, 2009 at 01:33 PM
I suppose these days anything is possible...I just can't wrap my head around this one.
Posted by: Adam S. | March 27, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Wow Jo, nice drive by on the Sun's Kevin Brockway. I hope this is as entertaining as Jason Whitlock v Snoop Jackson
Posted by: cmhgator | March 27, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Side ntoe: Gillespe just got the AX!
Posted by: Adam S. | March 27, 2009 at 03:02 PM
Sidenote: typepad can chew me.
Posted by: 13-1LiftTheTrophy | March 27, 2009 at 03:58 PM
?
Posted by: Adam S. | March 27, 2009 at 03:59 PM
BOOM:
Florida coach Billy Donovan will not be a candidate for the Kentucky job or any jobs that come open.
“In response to the rumors circulating about my interest in other jobs, I wanted to address this as quickly as possible," Donovan said in a statement. "I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here."
End of story.
Posted by: Adam S. | March 27, 2009 at 05:11 PM
ah is this story coming to an end?
...too bad Kentucky sources make up more stories than the National Enquirer.
fun while it lasted?
Posted by: bg23 | March 27, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Correct, bg
Posted by: Adam S. | March 27, 2009 at 05:56 PM