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NCAA Basketball: Top potential college coaching destinations for Billy Donovan

By Brian Rauf

DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 14: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder works the sidelines against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on December 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 14: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder works the sidelines against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on December 14, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 01: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts on the sidelines against Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on November 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 01: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts on the sidelines against Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on November 1, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Billy Donovan’s time coaching Oklahoma City may come to an end as they start a rebuild. Which NCAA Basketball coaching jobs may be available to him?

Rumors are swirling that the Oklahoma City Thunder could part with head coach Billy Donovan after the 2019-20 season, paving the way for the former Florida coach to return to the NCAA Basketball scene.

The Thunder are undergoing an unexpected rebuild after trading Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers, and Russell Westbrook is also expected to be on the move. As they turn the page on a new roster, OKC is expected to turn to a new head coach as well.

Donovan was originally hired away from Florida to coach a championship contender featuring Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. He has led the Thunder to the postseason in each of his four seasons at the helm but has failed to advance out of the first round in each of the last three. Now that the franchise isn’t expected to contend for a while, both sides are expected to part ways.

If that happens, plenty of college basketball programs will be after Donovan’s services. In fact, his name routinely comes up in searches every offseason (most recently with the UCLA opening) but has turned away any interest to stay with the Thunder.

Next offseason would be different if he does not have an NBA team to come back to. We just saw Fred Hoiberg return to the NCAA ranks as a hot coaching candidate following a three-and-a-half-year stint with the Chicago Bulls, and Donovan is expected to get even more interest.

Donovan spent 21 years as a college head coach, including a 19-year tenure with Florida that was highlighted by back-to-back national championships. His 467 wins with the Gators are the most in school history and the second most in SEC history, and his 502 career wins rank 69th all time.

As great as a return to Florida would be, current Gators head coach Mike White has done a fine job and has the Gators expected to be ranked in the top 15 in the preseason. So, which NCAA suitors could Donovan be selecting from after the upcoming season? Here are the five schools that are the most likely to make a run at him.

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