Thunder Hire Florida's Billy Donovan
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder have hired Florida's Billy Donovan as their new coach.
The Thunder made the announcement Thursday.
The 49-year-old Donovan led Florida to two national championships, four Final Fours, seven Elite Eights and 14 NCAA Tournament berths in 19 years. He signed a one-year contract extension with the Gators in December that would have paid him an average salary of $4 million through 2020.
[tweet https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/593845448416296960 width='330']
But, eight years after leaving Florida to coach the Orlando Magic and then changing his mind the following day, Donovan is back in the NBA.
Donovan inherits a team with 2013-14 MVP Kevin Durant and 2014-15 scoring champion Russell Westbrook.
He replaces Scott Brooks, who was fired last week.
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