The Oklahoma City Thunder have started discussions about their coaching vacancy with Florida head coach Billy Donovan, ESPN.com reported Wednesday.
Sources told ESPN that Donovan and Thunder general manager Sam Presti began talks about the position to replace Scott Brooks, who was fired one week ago after seven seasons and five postseason appearances. The Thunder missed the playoffs this season.
According to the report, Donovan is more ready to make the jump to the NBA than he has ever been. He has a close with relationship with Presti, who has hired two members of Donovan’s staff at Florida within the past 12 months to take positions with Oklahoma City — Mark Daigneault as coach of the Thunder’s Development League team and Oliver Winterbone as a data analyst.
San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina is also reportedly on Presti’s short list of candidates after Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie withdrew his name from consideration.
Donovan, who turns 50 on May 30, has a 467-186 record in 19 seasons with the Gators, winning back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. He has won six regular-season Southeastern Conference titles and four conference tournament titles. This season, the Gators finished 16-17 and failed to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009. Donovan is 502-206 in 21 seasons at Marshall and Florida.
Florida recently extended Donovan’s contract through the 2020 season, and he is set to make about $4 million next season. His buyout for an NBA job is $500,000.
In 2007, Donovan agreed to take the coaching job with the Orlando Magic after winning his second national championship, but he changed his mind and decided to return to Florida.