Billy Donovan's influence extends beyond the court, impacting Urban Meyer's arrival and mentoring Todd Golden, shaping Florida's championship culture.
Legendary basketball coach Billy Donovan did more than win national championships with Florida.
He helped the school attract winners for other programs.
Donovan coached the Gators from 1996 to 2015, winning the national title in 2006 and 2007. He made four Final Four appearances with UF.
Donovan went 467-186 during his time with the Gators before leaving to coach the Oklahoma City Thunder.
During an episode of the "Triple Option Podcast" this week, host Urban Meyer claimed the Donovan played a role in recruiting the college football coach away from Utah before the 2005 season.
“You know, when I was at Utah, we won and had all kinds of things come across the desk, some really good offers and Billy Donovan recruited me," Meyer said.
So he called me up and his wife and said, 'Okay, here's where your kids are going to go to school.' They knew we're Catholic. 'Here's where you're going to live.' So by the time we got there, the Donovan family recruited the Meyer family.”
Meyer went on to win two national champions during his stint with the Gators.
Todd Golden took over the men's basketball program in 2022. His Gators won the national championship in 2025.
Golden said he spoke with Donovan the day after he was hired at Florida.
“And the thing that I most respect about the conversation when he said, 'Todd, I care a lot about Florida. It was really great for me and my family for a number of years.
"And I want to be as involved or as little involved as you want me. I just want you to know that I got your back and will help you kind of grow in that role.'"
Donvoan introduced Golden to former Gators basketball player Taurean Green, who now serves as an assistant coach for the program.
In a way, Donovan helped the Gators win three other national titles with his legacy.
Florida has another opportunity to win a title in basketball this season. The Gators earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Florida has played like one of the best teams since the start of conference play. Maybe Golden can match Donovans back-to-back championship.