Report: Donovan to coach Magic

Orlando, Fla. -- Billy Donovan, who led Florida to the NCAA basketball title the last two seasons, reportedly will become head coach of the Orlando Magic.

The Orlando Sentinel said Donovan would appear at a news conference Friday after signing a five-year, $27 million contract.

Orlando's job opened when the Magic fired Brian Hill last week.

Donovan has been with the Gators for 11 years, and has taken them to the championship game three times. Florida defeated Ohio State for the national crown this year, 84-75, and became the first school in NCAA history to win the title two years in a row with the same starting five.

Donovan, who played two seasons with the New York Knicks, has compiled a 296-123 record in 12 seasons as a college coach. He was at Marshall University prior to his tenure with Florida.

The Magic has had two straight losing seasons and even though the team made the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference this year, it was eliminated in four games by Detroit.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.