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Donovan makes no excuses for reversal

Jeff Goodman FOXSports.com, Updated 6 days ago  STORY TOOLS: print send blog RSS LIKE THIS STORY?

"I made a mistake and I needed to step up and take responsibility," said the former Florida coach, who will be re-introduced as the Gators head man less than a week after taking a job in the NBA with the Orlando Magic. "But I think it would have been a bigger mistake if I stayed with the Magic."

"Every challenge I've taken on, I've had my heart and my head completely into it," he added. "That's the only way I know how to do something -- and that isn't how I felt with the Orlando Magic job."

Donovan told FOXSports.com in an exclusive interview prior to his 11 a.m. news conference on Thursday that he was intrigued by the challenge of going to the NBA, but he started to have second thoughts even going into the news conference on Friday afternoon at the University of Florida.

He said it wasn't because he was forced to make a quick decision or having to live a couple hours away from his family. It was just a feeling that he took the job for the wrong reasons.

"There were plenty of things that were a home run for me," Donovan said, "They have a terrific organization and they have an opportunity to win -- and win big. I didn't make a snap decision. It was an emotional decision and once it was finalized, I realized I didn't do the right thing."

Donovan said the uncertainty continued Friday night when he was at a Florida camp and he later spoke to his wife, Christine. After sleeping on the decision, Donovan woke up the next morning and called Magic general manager Otis Smith.

"I just felt like it was wrong," Donovan said. "I knew it -- and I felt terrible. I had to either tell them or move on. I knew I made a mistake, so I called Otis and he was shocked."

"I think it would have been worse had I continued to keep my feelings suppressed," Donovan added.

Smith proceeded to drive to Gainesville in an effort to keep his new coach in the fold, but eventually it was clear that Donovan didn't want to be in the NBA.

"They didn't pressure me," Donovan said. "I told them I apologize, but I made a mistake and I have too much respect for their organization to continue like that."

Donovan also called Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley Saturday morning to let him know he regretted leaving Gainesville. Foley was en route to meet with VCU coach and former Florida assistant Anthony Grant in Richmond to discuss replacing Donovan.

"He told me he couldn't get in the middle of it and that I had to talk to the Magic," Donovan said.

What followed was days of the legal sides trying to work through an agreement that let Donovan out of his five-year, $27.5 million contract.

The two sides came to a resolution, which includes a non-compete clause that Donovan proposed in which he can't coach in the NBA for the next five years, on late Wednesday night.

After it became official, Donovan spoke to nearly all of his incoming recruits and also several of the players on his team -- including Walter Hodge and Dan Werner.

Now Donovan, 42, will likely agree to a seven-year deal with the Gators that will pay about $3.5 million per year in the next week.

"I know now that I want to be at Florida," Donovan said. "I have no interest in the NBA. The only interest I have is to help Florida rebuild back to where we were."

Jeff Goodman is a senior college basketball writer for FOXSports.com. He can be reached at GoodmanonFOX@aol.com.