Will Donovan work magic in Orlando?

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -The Orlando Magic are betting that Billy Donovan can build another powerhouse in Florida.

The Magic hired the Gators' coach Thursday and were to introduce him at a news conference Friday. Donovan agreed to a five-year, $27.5 million contract, an official in the NBA told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hadn't been completed.

Donovan has faced speculation that he would leave the Gators since leading the school to its second straight NCAA championship in April. He turned down an offer to coach Kentucky, whose storied program launched his career as an assistant in 1990, and was more recently linked to the Memphis Grizzlies' vacant coaching job.

He seemed to squash those rumors after turning down the Kentucky position, proclaiming, "I love the University of Florida."

But Orlando, about 115 miles south of Gainesville, proved too strong to resist. The Magic job pays more than twice Donovan's $1.7 million annual deal with the Gators.

Both Donovan and the school had said all along they were negotiating a contract extension. Florida president Bernie Machen said Thursday the deal was basically done, just not signed.