Magic hire Van Gundy, close book on fiasco

~ Donovan issues an apology for his change of heart.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Stan Van Gundy was hired Thursday as coach of the Orlando Magic, who acted quickly after their days-old agreement with Billy Donovan collapsed.

The hiring ends a chaotic two weeks in which Orlando fired Brian Hill, hired Donovan and then had to find another replacement because he changed his mind and returned to the Florida Gators.

On Thursday, Donovan apologized to the Magic, his family and Florida.

"I feel terrible about it. [The Magic are] a great organization. They have great ownership, and they're great people. I feel sorry and have apologized," he said at a news conference in Gainesville. "It was my decision, it was my mistake. I have to take responsibility for that, which I'm trying to do.

"Really, it was my decision. There were no lures, there was no pressure by anybody to come back. It was what was in my heart."

Van Gundy coached the Miami Heat for more than two seasons, resigning last year but remaining with the team as an adviser to coach Pat Riley. He also was being courted by the Sacramento Kings.

Van Gundy was under contract with the Heat for another year, and the Magic had to give Miami undisclosed compensation, possibly a second-round pick in this month's NBA draft. Orlando had three picks, all second-rounders, in the June 28 draft while Miami had no second-round selections.

Donovan stunned the Magic within a day of his introduction June 1, deciding he couldn't leave the Gators after two straight national championships. Donovan contacted the Magic on Saturday to say he wanted out of his 5-year, $27.5 million deal. The Magic tried all weekend to get him to stay, but finally announced late Wednesday he was let out of the contract.

"When I made the decision, the next morning it just did not feel right for me," Donovan said. "I've got too much respect for the Magic, for the organization, for their team, for their fans, to continue on."

The Magic said they had a "legal right to hold Billy to the contract he signed," but let him go because of his change of heart.

Neither the team nor Donovan would discuss specifics of the breakup, but Donovan acknowledged Thursday he was prevented from coaching in the NBA. He didn't specify for how long, but reports have circulated it was five years.

"I think it's been out there pretty much about the whole NBA thing down the road," Donovan said. "That was something we both talked about, and that was something I was glad to accept because I knew in my heart that's not where I wanted to be. I wanted to be at Florida."

From the beginning, Van Gundy was Orlando's No. 2 choice. He also was considered by the Charlotte Bobcats and Indiana Pacers, but those teams hired other coaches.