Donovan Officially Out As Magic Coach

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) _ Billy Donovan is out in Orlando, and his cold feet will cost him. <br/><br/>Donovan loses out on a $5.5 million annual deal, and may have stained a clean reputation built on two straight

Wednesday, June 6th 2007, 9:35 pm

By: News On 6

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) _ Billy Donovan is out in Orlando, and his cold feet will cost him.

Donovan loses out on a $5.5 million annual deal, and may have stained a clean reputation built on two straight championships at Florida.

The Gators coach walked out of his first NBA job after just six days to return to Gainesville, where he won the last two national titles. News broke late Sunday that Donovan wanted out, but the Magic didn't allow it until late Wednesday

``As our signing of Billy Donovan showed, we are committed to winning a championship. We have the legal right to hold Billy to the contract he signed, but with him having a change of heart about leaving college basketball, we want him at the University of Florida,'' the Magic said in a statement. ``We have granted him permission to break his commitment and return to the Gators.''

Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, reached late Wednesday by The Associated Press, said: ``It's great news for the Gators.''

Foley withheld further comment until a Thursday morning news conference.

The Magic are expected to pursue former Heat coach Stan Van Gundy in his place, but are competing for him with the Sacramento Kings.