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Kentucky Basketball: Which Current College/NBA Coaches Would Succeed at Kentucky?

By Frank Spencer

Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari walks off the court after losing to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari walks off the court after losing to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. North Carolina won 75-73. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Basketball
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan (left) talks to forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Billy Donovan (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Billy Donovan is a name many Kentucky Basketball fans know. A longtime coach of the Florida Gators, Donovan had his share of matches with the Big Blue Nation. Donovan coached at Florida for 19 seasons from 1996-2015. As a highly successful program, Florida earned 14 NCAA Tournament appearances in the Billy Donovan Era.

Donovan has two NCAA Tournament Championships to his name. The Florida Gators took home the title in 2006 and 2007 in back to back seasons behind Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, and Al Horford.

When it comes to experience, Donovan takes the cake as one of the top names to be thrown around when it comes time to search for John Calipari’s replacement. With a 467-186 record in his 19 seasons at Florida, it is clear that Donovan would fit in well with the winning tradition of Kentucky Basketball.

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Billy Donovan has had the opportunity to feel the spotlight and pressure of the NBA experience. With talented players like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka, Donovan knows what it takes to coach top tier talent. He would be able to sell that to recruits. Experience is everything, and Billy Donovan would be an excellent choice as Calipari’s replacement for whenever he decided to step away. Donovan would definitely be one to succeed at Kentucky and would consider leaving the NBA to take the job.

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