<p>When Billy Donovan finally leaves his house (he hasn’t left since Friday) and returns to his old stomping grounds at the University of Florida, things will change. </p>
<p>Just ask Gregg Marshall, who did a similar about-face a year ago when he decided to return to Winthrop after holding a news conference at the College of Charleston. </p>
<p>“I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect,” said Marshall, now the head coach at Wichita State. “But when I came back to Winthrop, they embraced me. That shocked me because I didn’t know how they’d respond.” </p>
<p>Obviously, Donovan’s situation has become a national story, while Marshall’s was more local. However, once Donovan is officially released from his contract with the Orlando Magic, he’ll become even more beloved on the Gainesville campus.</p>
<p>It’s currently in the hands of the lawyers, but Donovan could soon be out of his NBA deal and free to return to college. </p>
<p>“They will love him,” Marshall said. “He just won two national championships and he just turned down $5.5 million per year to stay with them. Trust me, they’ll love him.” </p>
<p>A couple hours away, in Orlando, it’ll be a different story. </p>
<p>Donovan, 42, will take his share of hits both in Orlando and nationally because of his change of heart. However, people will eventually forget. When people think about Rick Majerus, they think of a guy who achieved success at Utah rather than one who walked away from the USC job. Bill Belichick’s name conjures up memories of a Super Bowl coach rather than someone who walked away from the New York Jets gig a day after taking it. </p>
<p>Let’s face it. Donovan loves to over-analyze situations. His ego isn’t inflated like some of his peers, where he doesn’t ask for advice. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Donovan yearns to do as much homework and he can before making decisions. And in this case, the word he was getting was that he would never be hotter and to take the job with the Magic. </p>
<p>He made the rash decision. </p>
<p>However, after spending Friday night on the Gainesville campus for a camp, the word from those close to him is that he started to have second thoughts. </p>
<p>He started to realize what he’d be missing. Life is good in Gainesville after putting a pair of rings on his fingers. He can afford to have a down year this season after watching his top six scorers depart and still not take a public relations hit. </p>
<p>He’d be starting over in Orlando. From scratch. Having to prove himself and show that he’s not another college coach who couldn’t get it done in the NBA. </p>
<p>Billy Donovan may not make many friends in Orlando. But they’ll love him in Gainesville. ( / Associated Press) </p>
<p>He’d have to deal with players who don’t listen to him rather than coach kids like Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer lottery picks who bought in to his system. </p>
<p>His family which includes four children from ages 5-15 would be a couple hours down the road in Gainesville for much of the year. </p>
<p>It just doesn’t add up at the end of the day. </p>
<p>Now Donovan is going with his heart and will eventually return to his old job, although there’s nothing set just yet. </p>
<p>“At this point in time, we have nothing scheduled,” Florida sports information director Fred Demarest said on Tuesday morning. </p>
<p>But look for Donovan to sign the seven-year deal worth approximately $3.5 million per season with Florida that was originally slated to be announced Monday. </p>
<p>Then he’ll get back to business, re-convening with the staff and current players to work on damage control. Donovan’s incoming freshman class should pretty much stay intact. </p>
<p>It’s virtually guaranteed that Nick Calathes, Chandler Parsons and Adam Allen the trio of in-state standouts will come to Gainesville as planned in a few weeks to start summer school. </p>
<p>Calathes and Parsons are the foundation for the Gators trying to get back to the Final Four. Alex Tyus and Jai Lucas are still up in the air, but it’s a good bet that both wind up in Gainesville after the dust settles. </p>
<p>Donovan will then head out recruiting next month and all eyes will follow him whenever he walks in the gym. </p>
<p>“Look, there’s Billy Donovan,” the top high school players will whisper to one another when he walks through the door. </p>
<p>Donovan’s stature will never be bigger even though the door to an NBA future may be shut for a while. </p>
<p>Especially in Gainesville. </p>
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