Gators or Hogs for Donovan?

University of Florida Head Basketball Coach Billy Donovan has told a Northwest Arkansas businessman he would be interested in talking with University of Arkansas officials about the vacancy created by the departure of Nolan Richardson.

Donovan was preparing his Gators for the NCAA Tournament at press time for the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal and had yet to talk with anyone at the UA. Although the 36-year-old Donovan has made the Gators a consistent top-20 program since he took over there for the 1996-97 season, Arkansas would still be attractive to the New York native. Florida averaged only 10,805 fans per home game during the 2001-2002 season, despite being ranked in the Top 10 most of the year. Arkansas went through a dismal campaign that contributed to the ouster of Richardson, yet still averaged about 15,500 fans per home game at Walton Arena.

Donovan reportedly makes about $1.2 million per year at Florida. Richardson’s contract was for $1.03 million annually, which includes supplemental income from various sources.

Donovan led Florida to back-to-back SEC titles in 2000 and 2001 after the Gators had won just one league crown the previous 77 seasons.

Perhaps more importantly to some is the success Donovan’s players have had in the classroom, where 13 of the 14 seniors who have suited up to play for Donovan at Florida have graduated.