Bill Donovan, father of Billy Donovan and Florida basketball fixture, dies at 85
· Yahoo Sports
Bill Donovan, the father of Hall of Fame former Florida basketball coach Billy Donovan who remained connected to UF's program even after his son left, died Saturday, Feb. 14, at 85.
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Donovan's death was confirmed in an obituary posted by Williams-Thomas Funeral Home on Monday, Feb. 16.
A former Boston College Hall of Fame guard who left as the school's third-time leading scorer in school history, Donovan remained close to the game of basketball through his son, who heled lead Providence to a Final Four in 1987 before going on to coaching success with the Florida Gators. Billy Donovan led Florida to four Final Fours and two national titles from 1996-2015 and his father was often on the bench courtside with him and traveled to road games.
Stetson coach Donnie Jones, a former Florida basketball assistant coach under Donovan from 1996-2007, said the elder Donovan had a way of picking the spirits of players and coaches up, even after tough losses.
"He had such great awareness of the moment," Jones said. "It was always an encouragement, or he gave a perspective that was always encouraging, or two or three good things if he did make a comment in passing. But it was always a happy spirit it was always an encouraging spirit."
Condolences poured in around the country as news of the elder Donovan's passing surfaced.
They didn't come any better than Billy Donovan Sr. A Special Man in every sense of the word. RIP my friend! You’re already in heaven.
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) February 14, 2026
Remembering a Special Man Today.
— Donnie Jones (@DonnieJones) February 15, 2026
Mr. Billy Donovan Sr.’s kindness, spirit, and love for his family inspired me daily to be better. So grateful for the memories we shared.
Rest in peace. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Ag4QB6e6eb
sad to report the passing of bill donovan at 85. a BC Hall of Fame guard who was the father ofNaismith enshrinee Billy Donovan, who won two nattys at Florida and is currently coaching the NBA Chicago Bulls. Bily's dad was a devout Catholic and one of the nicest people on earth.…
— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) February 16, 2026
Donovan lived part-time in Gainesville after his son began his NBA coaching career with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015 and often attended UF games coached by Mike White and Todd Golden. During the Final Four in San Antonio last April, Donovan rode the team bus with Golden's father, Scott Golden, to practices and games.
Florida plans to honor Bill Donovan with a moment of silence before its game on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the O'Connell Center against South Carolina (7 p.m., SEC Network).
Donovan is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan, his sister Maureen, three children Billy, Susan, Karen and 11 grandchildren.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Bill Donovan, father of former Florida basketball HOF coach Billy Donovan, dies at 85