On second thought...Donovan wants out of Orlando

And, while the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the Magic will grant Donovan’s wish and let him out of a five-year, $27.5 million dollar deal he signed last week, the Magic insist they are still hoping the coach lands in Central Florida.

"While Central Florida, the Orlando Magic and Billy were energized with the announcement of his contract signing on Friday, we know there was a different feeling in Gainesville and people have been tugging at him since that time," the Magic said in a release.

"Billy is conflicted with those emotions and the opportunity he has ahead in Orlando and in the NBA. We’ve had numerous conversations and a personal visit in Gainesville with Billy over the last 48 hours, and we have a commitment from him that the dialogue between us will continue."

According to numerous sources, Donovan had second thoughts about leaving Florida for the NBA and spent the weekend trying to get out of his contract.

In Gainesville, Donovan compiled a 261-103 mark over 11 seasons, leading the Gators to the national championship the last two years and a championship game appearance in 2000.

Earlier this offseason, he turned down a lucrative offer to become the head coach at the University of Kentucky, but apparently the opportunity in the NBA was too much for him to pass up — that was until now.

In 13 years of collegiate coaching, which included two years at Marshall before joining the Gators, Donovan compiled a 296-123 record.

In Orlando, he would replace Brian Hill, who was fired on May 23 after two consecutive losing seasons and a sweep at the hands of the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs this season.