When Rick Pitino recalled former standout Billy Donovan's transformation from bench warmer to 'The fastest gun in the Big East'

Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan was a young, out-of-shape guard at Providence College when Rick Pitino took over as head coach in 1985. Pitino had just left his assistant coaching job with the New York Knicks to take over the Friars program.

In a 2012 column for Fox Sports, Pitino recalled that Donovan, worried he wouldn't play much under a new coach, entered Pitino’s office requesting a release from his scholarship.

Pitino, now the coach at St. John's, recalled he was happy Donovan wanted to transfer to either Northeastern or Fairfield. He told Donovan he would call Jim Calhoun and Terry O'Connor, the coaches for each school at the time.

Rick Pitino added he reached out to both coaches to make them aware Donovan was looking to transfer. However, neither coach believed Donovan was good enough to play for them.

Pitino said that he came back to him to ask which school wanted him more.

"I couldn't hurt his feelings," Pitino contiued. "I said, 'Let's forget that, Billy. They're both very interested in you. Tell me, how are you so out of shape? How did you gain all this weight?"

Donovan admitted that his poor conditioning was because he was not playing. The Hall of Fame coach then presented him with a challenge to lose weight and get in shape, while assuring him that he would have a role on the team.

When Donovan returned to school in great shape, Pitino put him on the cover of the program wearing a cowboy hat, spurs and boots.

"He wouldn't put it on so I made him put it on," Pitino said. "They put him on the cover of the program. That was the first caption of 'Billy, The Kid, the fastest gun in the Big East.' That was the start of his college legend."

Billy Donovan credited Rick Pitino for helping him revive his career

After listening to Rick Pitino's advice, Billy Donovan dedicated himself to improving his conditioning and transforming his game. His first two seasons with Providence saw him average below four points per game.

Donovan shed the extra pounds and worked tirelessly on his skills, becoming an integral part of the Friars' team. He averaged 15.1 points and 4.7 assists under Pitino during his junior year.

Donovan flourished further in his senior year, leading Providence to the Final Four while putting up 20.6 ppg and 7.1 apg.

"It obviously changed my career, my life, in a lot of different aspects," Billy said. "I learned some incredible lessons through Coach and the investment in the time he made with me."

Even after college, the pair continued to work together. Donovan played for Rick Pitino with the New York Knicks in the NBA and later served as an assistant under him at Kentucky.