USA - Donovan reportedly on his way back to Gators

ORLANDO (NBA) - Billy Donovan may be trying to back out of his deal to coach the Orlando Magic.

According to ESPN.com, Donovan informed the Magic and the University of Florida on Sunday that he is having second thoughts about becoming Orlando's next coach and wants to return to Florida next season.

After guiding Florida to its second straight national championship in April, Donovan was introduced as the Magic's eighth coach in franchise history on Friday. ESPN.com reports that Orlando officials are now debating whether to let Donovan out of the five-year, $27.5 million deal he signed on Thursday.

Donovan, 42, reportedly had been in negotiations with Florida on a contract extension prior to accepting the Orlando job.

However, the Orlando Sun-Sentinel reported that two league sources stated the Magic had been in contract negotiations with the Donovan's agent, Lonnie Cooper, soon after firing Brian Hill on May 23.

In 11 seasons at Florida, Donovan compiled a record of 261-103(.717). He guided the Gators to nine straight 20-win seasons and a school-record nine consecutive NCAA Tournament berths.

Donovan also coached two seasons at Marshall and owns a career record of 296-123

After the Gators defeated Ohio State in the title game April 2, Donovan was quickly rumored to be on the move, especially with all four of his underclassmen starters expected to enter the NBA draft.

While all those players did jump ship, Donovan announced at the same news conference April 5 that he would return despite rampant speculation that he was offered the vacancy at rival Kentucky

Donovan has no NBA coaching experience. Aside from Larry Brown, most college coaches that have taken an NBA job without previous experience have struggled, including Rick Pitino, Donovan's former coach at Providence and his mentor.

Orlando (40-42) reached the postseason for the first time in four years but was completely overmatched in being swept by the Detroit Pistons in the first round. But the team has a solid young nucleus to work with which includes power forward Dwight Howard and point guard Jameer Nelson.

FIBA