Billy Donovan has admitted that he is excited by the challenge of bringing success to the Oklahoma City Thunder after being named the team's new head coach.

Donovan left the Florida Gators to fill the role created by the sacking of Scott Brooks, and he concedes that there was plenty of uncertainty surrounding the task ahead of him before agreeing to the move.

"It's been a complete whirlwind for me the last four or five days," he told reporters. "I am extremely thankful the way [Sam Presti] laid out the organization to me over about a two-and-a-half-day period because, to be honest with you, I really did not know a lot about the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"I knew of Sam, I obviously knew of the players and organization, but I didn't know what it was about.

"I think any time you walk into the unknown, there's going to be a level of uncertainty - I don't think there's any question about that. I'm OK with that. I'm excited for the challenge, I'm excited to bring value."

Brooks led the Thunder to one NBA Finals appearance and two Western Conference finals series, but he was unable to clinch a spot in the playoffs this year.