Florida Gators to Honor Late Bill Donovan, Father of Coaching Legend

The program will hold a moment of silence before the game against South Carolina to remember the longtime Gators supporter.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Bill Donovan, the father of former Florida Gators head coach Billy Donovan, passed away at the age of 85 in Gainesville. The Florida basketball program will honor Bill Donovan with a moment of silence before their game against South Carolina on Tuesday. Current head coach Todd Golden reflected on Bill Donovan's close relationship with the team and program, even after his son's departure in 2015.

Why it matters

Bill Donovan was a fixture at Florida basketball games for over 15 years, supporting his son Billy's legendary coaching tenure that included two national championships. His passing is a significant loss for the Gators community, who valued his unwavering presence and passion for the program.

The details

Bill Donovan was 85 years old when he passed away in Gainesville on Saturday. He was a regular attendee of Florida basketball games, often sitting close to the bench, even after his son Billy Donovan left the program in 2015 to become the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Current Gators head coach Todd Golden described Bill Donovan as an "incredible human" who was "always energetic and made everyone around him better and in a better mood."

  • Bill Donovan passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • The Florida Gators will hold a moment of silence before their game against South Carolina on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Bill Donovan

The father of former Florida Gators head coach Billy Donovan, who was a fixture at Gators basketball games for over 15 years.

Todd Golden

The current head coach of the Florida Gators basketball team.

Billy Donovan

The former head coach of the Florida Gators basketball team, who led the program to two national championships.

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What they’re saying

“His dad was an incredible human. He still was very passionate about the program, about being in Gainesville.”

— Todd Golden, Head Coach, Florida Gators (si.com)

“These last 15, 16 years for me -- oh my gosh! -- have been phenomenal. I played basketball growing up. When Billy was young, we'd watch games on television and I'd take him to see the Knicks. And now, to be able to be around the team and go to all the games and knowing Billy wants me to be a part of it all, I'm just so blessed I can't even tell you.”

— Bill Donovan (FloridaGators.com)

“To hear that was really just devastating, to be honest, because we saw him and he was doing great two weeks ago. And it just kind of reminds you just how precious life is and how everything can change so quickly.”

— Todd Golden, Head Coach, Florida Gators (si.com)

What’s next

The Florida Gators will hold a moment of silence before their game against South Carolina on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 to honor the memory of Bill Donovan.

The takeaway

Bill Donovan's unwavering support and passion for the Florida Gators basketball program, even after his son Billy's departure, made him a beloved figure in the Gainesville community. His passing is a significant loss for the Gators, who will honor his memory and legacy with a moment of silence before their upcoming game.