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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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AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts as his team plays the Citadel Bulldogs at the Frank Erwin Center on November 16, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts as his team plays the Citadel Bulldogs at the Frank Erwin Center on November 16, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

1) Texas

Shaka Smart was another coach many thought would be fired after last season, but Texas is bringing him back for his fifth season after he led the Longhorns to the NIT title.

The returns during Smart’s tenure have been underwhelming. He’s 71-66 in four seasons, has never won more than 21 games in a season and, though he has made the NCAA Tournament twice with the Longhorns, they have never advanced out of the first round. Texas has also finished in the bottom half of the Big 12 in each of the past three seasons.

Athletic director Chris Del Conte admitted the program is “not where we want to be” after the NIT title, raising the stakes for the upcoming season. Smart has to deliver and meet expectations, which are to finish in the top half of the conference and comfortably make the NCAA Tournament. If not, the Longhorns will likely be looking for a new head coach.

Texas has no shortage of resources and will likely look to land a huge name with their next hire. They’ve fallen to third in the state’s basketball pecking order behind Texas Tech – fresh off a national championship game appearance – and Houston under Kelvin Sampson. Rival Texas A&M just raised their investment in their basketball program by hiring Buzz Williams away from Virginia Tech, and the onus is on the Longhorns to do the same.

There are several reasons Donovan makes great sense for the Longhorns along with his resume. He has already spent the last four years in that area of the country, so he’s familiar with the area and his name will hold significant weight in recruiting. He has also proven he can win big at a football school and work well in the shadow of a monstrous football program – a must for anyone who coaches the Longhorns.

If Texas ponies up monetarily, I think they could be the best and most likely landing spot for Donovan.

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The Thunder’s recent moves have made Donovan’s future uncertain, but there are certainly no shortage of options waiting for him should he choose to return to the college game for the 2020-21 season. These five seem to be the most likely to go after Donovan given their current situations.

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