Billy Gillespie out in Lexington, who's next?
Billy Gillespie had the worst winning percentage for a University of Kentucky men's basketball coach since the 1920's.
In his two seasons in Lexington, Gillespie won less than 60% of the games he coached (40-27). Kentucky was 22-14 this year and lost their final four regular-season games to miss the NCAA tournament.
Yesterday, Gillespie was fired as the Wildcats basketball coach.
Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart says that Gillespie wasn't fired for his record. Instead, it was due to his lack of understanding of what being a UK coach was all about.
Of all the possible coaches, I think Calipari makes the most sense. He has built Memphis into a perennial powerhouse, but plays in Conference USA. He could handle the pressures of being the Kentucky coach and bring in the big-time recruiting classes that would return the program to glory.
If Calipari or the other big-name coaches aren't interested, Kentucky may turn to one of its former sons. Travis Ford, who coached Oklahoma State last season, played PG for the Wildcats and understands its culture. Before OK State, Ford coached at UMass, Eastern Kentucky and Campbellsville.
In his two seasons in Lexington, Gillespie won less than 60% of the games he coached (40-27). Kentucky was 22-14 this year and lost their final four regular-season games to miss the NCAA tournament.
Yesterday, Gillespie was fired as the Wildcats basketball coach.
Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart says that Gillespie wasn't fired for his record. Instead, it was due to his lack of understanding of what being a UK coach was all about.
"We obviously did not achieve the results we all desired on the floor this season," Barnhart said of UK's 22-14 record. "Those results can occur when you are trying to grow a program. We clearly understand that.One of the potential coaches on Kentucky's list has already rejected the possibility. Florida's Billy Donovan says that he will stay put in Gainesville.
"However, it is as important to represent the Kentucky program and the basketball program, more specifically, in a manner which best utilizes our incredible tradition, assets and platform. ...
"It is my evaluation that we have not done all we can to manage the entire scope of the program and all that we expect."
"In response to the rumors circulating about my interest in other jobs, I wanted to address this as quickly as possible ," Donovan's statement said. "I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here."Some other possibilities include Memphis' John Calipari, Louisville's Rick Pitino, Texas' Rick Barnes, Villanova's Jay Wright, Michigan State's Tom Izzo and Oklahoma State's Travis Ford.
Of all the possible coaches, I think Calipari makes the most sense. He has built Memphis into a perennial powerhouse, but plays in Conference USA. He could handle the pressures of being the Kentucky coach and bring in the big-time recruiting classes that would return the program to glory.
If Calipari or the other big-name coaches aren't interested, Kentucky may turn to one of its former sons. Travis Ford, who coached Oklahoma State last season, played PG for the Wildcats and understands its culture. Before OK State, Ford coached at UMass, Eastern Kentucky and Campbellsville.
