Butler coach Stevens a regular at UF's Annual Clinic, developing friendship with Donovan, Shyatt
Friday, March 25, 2011 | Men's Basketball, Women's Golf, Scott Carter
Gators coach Billy Donovan has a good idea of what it's like to be Butler coach Brad Stevens these days. Donovan, 45, was once called Billy the Kid, labeled the best young coach in America by the media.
That label is now often used to describe Stevens, who led Butler to the national title game a year ago as a 33-year-old. A year later, Stevens doesn't look a day older and could still pass for a 25-year-old graduate student.
Donovan and Stevens have gotten to know each other well over the past few years thanks to Stevens coming to Gainesville three of the past four summers to attend Florida's Annual Clinic, operated by Florida assistant coach Larry Shyatt and UCLA's Scott Duncan.
Coaches from around the country converge at Florida's basketball facility to talk about everything from a perfect pick-and-roll to new ways of motivation players in today's culture.
“It's a hoop junkie's dream,'' Stevens said Friday. “Not a lot of sleep – a lot of talk that would probably bore most people, but stuff that we'll all pretty motivated by. It's a collection of NBA and college hoops guys that all get together and just talk hoops for a couple of days.''
Stevens has developed a close relationship with the Florida coaching staff at the two-day clinic, and when the Bulldogs were struggling in the middle of the season – losing three in a row at one point – Stevens called Donovan to talk about the challenge coaching a team coming off a Final Four appearance and keeping it focused.
Donovan was glad he called.
“The one thing I respect and admire about Brad in getting to know him is he's got a great passion and enthusiasm for the game and for coaching. He has a tireless and relentless attitude to try to get better and improve. He loves the game.''
Stevens shares the same respect for Donovan, who led the Gators to his first Final Four at UF in 2000 at age 34. To get there, the Gators needed a buzzer-beater by Mike Miller over Butler.
“He's one of the best coaches in the business,'' Stevens said. “He just shared insights, shared thoughts. You're just looking for anything at that moment in time to flip a switch.''
