Donovan staying at Florida

Apr 5, 2007, 17:25 GMT

Gainesville, FL - Florida men's basketball coach Billy Donovan will remain just that, after much speculation that he would leave the program he has built into a national power to take over at SEC rival Kentucky.

Donovan officially announced his decision to stay at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

'It's all about where you're at in life and what's going to make you happy,' Donovan said. 'I'm happy here at Florida. I love the University of Florida.'

Donovan has guided the Gators to back-to-back national championships, becoming the first program to accomplish the feat since Duke in 1991 and '92. Rumors during the last two weekends of the NCAA Tournament said Kentucky was waiting for Florida's season to end to offer Donovan its head coaching vacancy.

The Kentucky program has a storied history and has been the premier basketball school in the SEC, but Florida has clearly eclipsed Kentucky in the latter category thanks to Donovan.

A former Kentucky assistant under Rick Pitino from 1989 through '94, Donovan has spent the last 11 years at Florida after two seasons as the head coach at Marshall.

The Gators have amassed a record of 261-103 under Donovan, including a mark of 33-5 this past season. Florida has made nine straight trips to the NCAA Tournament and has advanced to the Final Four three times during his tenure.

© 2007 The Sports Network