While fans continue to rejoice over the news of Mike D’Antoni resigning as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the team is looking to find its next leader.
With such an important decision to make, the Lakers will need to figure out the determining factors for their choice. Are they looking to win now and get the most out of Kobe Bryant’s final years, or build for the future? Do they want a candidate with NBA head coaching experience or a younger option with upside? These are just a few of several questions facing the Lakers as they begin their coaching search.
Although the Lakers will reportedly ask the Chicago Bulls for permission to interview their head coach, Tom Thibodeau, it is still seemingly a long shot to land the 2011 Coach of the Year award winner. With the possibility of stealing Thibodeau away from Chicago being unlikely, a thievery that is more achievable would be snagging Billy Donovan away from the University of Florida.
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Donovan has been the head coach of the Florida Gators since 1996, tallying a record of 451-169 (.727), including back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007.
Many Laker fans believe that if the team decides to hire a college coach, it should be Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie, due to his connection to Kevin Durant. Ollie mentored the soon-to-be MVP in his lone season with Oklahoma City and it is believed he could give the Lakers the edge to sign Durant when he is a free agent in 2016. However, if Durant wins a championship as a member of the Thunder, it would be unlikely that he would leave, although a lot can happen in a matter of two years. Connecticut is also in the process of doubling Ollie’s salary, making it hard for him to part ways with his alma mater.
He hasn’t been mentioned by many as a candidate for the Lakers coaching job, but Billy Donovan has an extremely impressive track record at Florida.
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BREAKING: Mike D’Antoni OUT, Resigns As Lakers Head Coach
PAGE 2: Why Florida’s Billy Donovan Should Be The Next Lakers Head Coach
