If Kentucky does part ways with Billy Gillispie, and nothing has been announced either way, the decision would have an impact on other searches in the SEC, so writes Gentry Estes for the Mobile Press-Register.
One reason is that both Alabama and Georgia are believed to be interested in VCU coach Anthony Grant. Estes speculates that if UK was in the market for a new coach, it might make another run at Florida’s Billy Donovan. If Billy D. did come to Lexington, then Grant might be more interested in Florida. Grant was almost the Florida coach two years ago when Donovan took the Orlando Magic job for a weekend.
In other words, dominoes could fall. Remember, could fall.
Whatever happens needs to happen quickly. This has got to be killing recruiting. John, for those of us who don’t live in the commonwealth, how much of this story is legit heat from good sources and how much is just gasoline on the gossip-fueled fire? I love the Cats, but living there with the crazed fanbase was a little unbearable at times.
Juan,
I agree totally that whatever happens needs to happen quickly. When the season is officially complete, UK needs to come out with either a public statement of solid support, or make a change. Waiting is not good for anyone involved.
How can anybody think two years is enough time? It’s not like this was Doherty’s last year at UNC (8-20 record, I think).
His press handling in NO WAY should result in firing. It’s not like he cursed or anything…he was just plain blunt. This, of course, is completely like he was at Texas A&M. Hmmmm, didn’t Mitch know this before? Yes, BCG can do better in that regard. I think he will if given the opportunity.
All of this other stuff is just completely OVERBLOWN and nobody knows what is fact or fiction.
I believe there is a lot of jockeying going on about the contract.
I think the handling of this is ridiculous. And that does not point o BCG at all.
We have all this media junk reported that I know some of which has been proven false. Booster this, booster that, Pitino this, Pitino that, Donovan this….nobody really knows and I HATE it that people act like they do.
I agree that 2 years isn’t truely enough. But I am curious as to why Billy hasn’t stepped up and signed a contract yet. He has worked here for two years…has it really just slipped his mind? I am not a fan of him being escorted out of the city, but man, why the holdout on the contract?
I beleive everyone needs to get off of Billy G. He is who he is, personable or not! I believe him to be someone that has walked into a hornets nest. It is obvious now with hindsite that Tubby had left this team heading down hill. No matter the talent he may or may not have, I believe a majortiy of the issues with this team is the players. They just don’t click together! Give “G” an oppurtunity to prove himself, if not you will just chase off what I beleive to be a great coach. He can handle the pressure that the media is supplying. What he may not be able to handle is the critisisum from those around him who should be backing and shoring up his position. Look into your crystal ball and you will see KY heading into the NCAA Tourny next year with some enthusiasm and once again into the right direction. “GO BILLY G”
Why would we want Donovan? Good grief, I had rather have Anthony Grant. Donovan has been to NIT for the past two years. Boy, that is really impressive. Let me see: past two years (Billy G – NIT once, Billy D – NIT twice). This appears to be a no brainer. If Mitch goes that way, I am going to be totally disgusted.
2 years is enough if he is going to be fired *for cause*. I’m not sure it is 100% a done deal or not, but IF he is fired, then it is because Barnhart & Todd have justification for doing so….due to off the court activity. This ball got rolling with his blowing off Darrin Horn after the USCjr loss in Rupp Arena. That event opened the eyes of several top UK officials, causing them to say “what have we got here?” Then you had ESPN’s reporter complaining about the non-access she was given by Gillispie for her “all-access” special on UK. The fact that UK’s contract is sitting on Gillispie’s desk collecting dust instead of a signature is particularly galling to Lee Todd.
again I don’t pretend to know what is going to happen, but if Gillispie is fired this week UK will not pay him a penny, they will claim it is due to conduct unbecomming the University of Kentucky basketball coach. And if they do that I expect they will have already reached an agreement in principle with Billy Donovan, who has regretted not going through with his agreement to take the UK job 2 years ago. This time Donovan is not going to let Pitino talk him out of it….
You might want to be careful campaigning to cost someone else their job, John. What goes around comes around.
It could prove to be a mistake to assume that your job is more secure than the other guy’s.
http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/736042.html
Herald-Leader lays off 53; cuts wages for remaining employees
Herald-Leader Staff Report
Mr. Hutchcraft is right on the money!
Matt’s last year wasn’t 8-20, that was his 2nd year. Matt went 26-7, 8-20 and 19-16. Matt’s problem was with parents and players who seemed to turn on him. Not to mention Dean Smith appeared to not back him anymore. All of that is similar to some of the rumblings that are coming from Lex now. As to the validity of them who knows. Something is going on or Mitch would have stopped it by now.
If Billy is told to leave finding a replacement may be hard than what folks are thinking. UK fans ran Tubby out of town “b/c he wasn’t a great recruiter or a good coach” Excuse me but Tubby can hang his hat on his win record. Billy still still doesn’t have a hat rack to hang his hat on. IF Billy stays another year he’ll have most all of his recruits in camp. I think we should give Billy another year. If he fails run him out of town on a rail. Either way it may be harder than folks think to find a ooach that is willing to come into this pressure cooking job. GO CATS!
Gee! Let’s see…on a scale of 1 to 10 of important matters in America today, the future of Billy Clyde G. at UK is number ….100!
I say this to all UK “fans” and not to John Clay, who gets paid to write sports commentary, i.e. OPINIONS…about UK sports. And we all know that means BASKETBALL. Let us also be honest…we love all the rumors and speculation about this “burning issue of the day” in the Big Blue Nation.
I think the decision on whether BCG stays or goes must be made with a view towards what impact that decision will have on the immediate future, (i.e. NEXT SEASON!) of UK Basketball.
Will Jody and Patrick leave if BCG is fired? Or if he stays? Or is his position as UK coach irrelevant to their decision?
Will signed recruits stay committed to UK if BCG is fired or will they exercise their option to go elsewhere?
Will the freshmen BCG recruited and trained this year exercise their option to leave UK if BCG is fired?
I read somewhere that Todd and Barnhart had a “prayer meeting” with the players recently. I hope the purpose of that meeting was to answer some of the above questions. If not it probalby was little more than a pep talk.
BCG’s worth as a three year coach may very well be that he will cause the present team of freshman, plus our two Blue Chippers, to stay at UK; and his remaining may also cause the good efforts he and his staff have made to recruit excellent freshman for the team next year will bring them on board.
If that is the way things look and if his firing will upset that so called apple cart then by all means give the guy one more year. Otherwise if a large portion of the present freshmen are looking to transfer anyway; and if Meeks and Paterson are going Pro anyway; then show BCG the door and hand him a map out of town as he exits with his $6,000,000 that should come out of the salaries of both Todd and Barnhart until repaid.
If BCG goes then next year and probably the year after that will be blue for us all. I don’t like him; I did not like him when he was hired: and my reasons have to do with his lack of ability to coach his way in close games and his stubborn refusal to use a zone every once in a while; plus the fact that his style of coaching is just so predictable and very defendable by any halfway talented opponent.
If UK has a proven coach already “signed up”, like Xavier’s coach, for example, then by all means kick BCG to the street. Otherwise I think UK has painted itself into a corner and will loose more by firing BCG than keeping him one more year.
But remember, it all means NOTHING in the Big Picture of LIFE…so y’all relax and enjoy this side show.
To the point ‘something needs to happen sooner than later’…why? The season isn’t over yet. There will be plenty of time after the season is over for Billy to work out his contract and release some grand statement that he’s either staying or going. People are obviously not paying attention to this ‘stubborn’ single-minded coach: as long as they’re still playing, he’s gonna coach, not sweat all this external stuff. I think he’ll get his PR act together. Just leave him alone and let him do his job.
So-called fans anticipating this bloodbath make me sick to my stomach and ashamed to be a KY native and life-long fan.
Anybody ready for some UK football? I am.
It is amazing how many people are coming to BCG’s defense now. This blog’s comments were 95% anti-Gillispie until John first suggested that this might be it for him a week or so ago. People are just contrary, I guess.