Billy Donovan apologized Thursday to the Magic, his family and the Florida Gators for changing his mind about joining the NBA coaching ranks. Instead, he’ll rejoin Florida with a new six-year contract worth $3.5 million per year.
“It was my decision to go to the Magic,” Donovan said. “It was my mistake. And I have to take responsibility for that, which I’m trying to do.”
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley said the deal has an option for a seventh year. Foley also said football coach Urban Meyer agreed to a six-year deal at $3.25 million per year, and that baseball coach Pat McMahon was fired.
*Miami’s Audra Cohen won the Honda Award as the nation’s top female tennis player. … Penn State sold over 21,000 football student season tickets in 59 minutes — the quickest sellout in school history.
*Former Arizona State RB Loren Wade, 23, was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2005 slaying of former teammate Brandon Falkner, 25. Prosecutors said Falkner was shot because Wade saw him talking to his girlfriend.
*Junior forward James Mays withdrew from the June 26 NBA draft and will return to Clemson..
*Duke reached a financial settlement with former men’s lacrosse coach Mike Pressler, who was fired in the wake of since-debunked rape allegations. Terms were not disclosed.
