By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
GAINESVILLE — After 15 seasons — including two national championships — Florida coach Billy Donovan on Tuesday was honored by his league peers with his first SEC Coach of the Year award.
Senior forward Chandler Parsons was named SEC player of the year, the first Florida player to win the award from the league's coaches. Florida's Patric Young was named to the All-Freshman team, and Gator guards Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker were All-SEC second-team selections.
"I am extremely humbled to be named SEC coach of the year by my peers," Donovan said. "This league has outstanding coaches and a number of deserving candidates to win the award. I'm fortunate and blessed to have a great group of players, assistant coaches and staff — this honor is more a reflection of their work and effort than anything that I have done."
With the league tournament starting Thursday, Donovan has led Florida to a 13-3 record in the SEC, 24-6 overall. He has the third-most wins by an SEC coach with 355, trailing Kentucky's Adolph Rupp (876) and LSU's Dale Brown (448).
Parsons, who went through a tough stretch earlier this season, has become Florida's most versatile player, averaging 11.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and one steal per game.
"Obviously this award is handed out to a single player, but I share it proudly with my teammates and coaching staff," Parsons said.