Reports: Donovan changes his mind

Billy Donovan might not be done with the Florida Gators after all.

ESPN.com and FoxSports.com reported Sunday night that Donovan was having second thoughts about coaching the NBA’s Orlando Magic and attempting to return to Gainesville, Fla.

Donovan agreed to a five-year, $27.5-million contract with the Magic on Thursday, but FoxSports.com reported that he has approached both sides about getting out of the deal. There were conflicting reports on whether he had signed a contract with the Magic.

According to one of the sources, the Magic forced Donovan to make a rash decision.

Donovan, 42, said last week that he had always been intrigued by the NBA and that Orlando was the perfect situation because it was an up-and-coming team and close to home.

Donovan led the Gators to consecutive national titles the last two seasons and was slated to sign a seven-year deal worth about $3.5 million annually. The deal was being approved when he agreed to coach the Magic.

None of the parties could be reached for comment.

The Gators moved quickly to replace Donovan, contacting Virginia Commonwealth Coach Anthony Grant soon after Donovan’s decision. Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley had been scheduled to meet with Grant on Saturday in Richmond, Va.

But that meeting never occurred, and Grant, a former Donovan assistant, said Sunday night that he hadn’t been offered the job.

SOFTBALL

Arizona, Tennessee reach the finals

Defending champion Arizona (48-13-1) reached the Women’s College World Series finals by beating sixth-seeded Washington (42-19) twice by scores of 2-0 and 8-1 at Oklahoma City

In the best-of-three series beginning today, the Wildcats will face Tennessee (62-6) and Monica Abbott (49-3), who led the Volunteers to the finals by striking out 17 in her third straight shutout in a 3-0 victory over Northwestern (52-13).

The left-hander threw her 23rd career no-hitter in the opening round and has allowed only eight hits in 21 innings in the World Series.

She allowed six hits in a 1-0 win against Arizona earlier in the tournament.

Taryne Mowatt (39-11) threw a pair of four-hitters for Arizona.

SAILING

Team New Zealand takes 3-0 series lead

Emirates Team New Zealand relied on superior speed to beat Luna Rossa by 1 minute 38 seconds and extend its lead to 3-0 in the Louis Vuitton Cup finals at Valencia, Spain, after losing the start for the first time.

Emirates Team New Zealand can clinch its place in the America’s Cup against defending champion Alinghi with two more wins in the best-of-nine challengers series. Racing resumes Tuesday.

MISCELLANY

Tennessee fires baseball coach

Tennessee fired baseball coach Rod Delmonico, six days after the team was not selected for the NCAA tournament.

Delmonico was 699-396 in 18 seasons, including a 263-255 mark in regular-season Southeastern Conference play. Athletic Director Mike Hamilton said Delmonico was ousted because of the team’s lack of consistency in regular and postseason play.

Delmonico, who had three years left on his contract, led the Volunteers to the College World Series three times, including in 2005. Tennessee went 34-25 this season, but finished fourth in the SEC’s Eastern Division.

Jonny Moseley, Olympic gold medalist in free-style skiing at the 1998 Winter Olympics, has become a major investor in the proposed Ski Channel, scheduled to be launched early next year. Steve Bellamy, the founder of the Ski Channel, said Moseley will have an on-air presence on the channel as well.

-- Larry Stewart