Have to get working on my column for the paper, but before I do here’s five quick impressions from Gillispie press conference:
- 1.) Gillispie took the high road, but then it reminds me of a comment Phil Simms once used. He was doing the color on a Browns’ exhibition game back when Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb were in a competition for the starting quarterback job. Jim Nantz commented that Couch had said all the right things about being forced into a competition after being the starter. Simms blurted out, “What’s he going to say?” Same thing with Billy. He wants someone else to hire him. It doesn’t do any good to burn bridges in a public forum.
- 2.) It doesn’t matter if the public side of the job was spelled out to him or not. What the public side of the job meant was to be more respectful, easier to deal with, and, yes, nicer. Does that really need to be written out?
- 3.) I asked about his relationship with AD Mitch Barnhart. Gillispie said he liked Mitch. Jerry Tipton followed up by asking what he liked about Mitch. There was a long pause.
- 4.) He will be better off at job where he can coach and recruit, and doesn’t have to worry about much else. That’s not a knock on Gillispie, that’s just a fact. He’s just not cut out to be a public speaker, or a glad-hander. It’s not his way. And that’s fine. That doesn’t mean he can’t succeed.
- 5.) Speaking of that, he’ll get another job. My guess is a Big 12 job, or one in Texas.
John, thanks for the update. Now that you have had a day to think about it, who do you think has the inside track to be the next coach?
I need more time.
John, I found his stance on the contract startling to say the least. To pretend NOW that the MOU was a contract, just an informal one but a contract nonetheless? Pretty sure I have read in the Herald Leader comments last summer where Gillispie spoke about the REAL contract, and getting that formally agreed on and signed. Kind of strange to have him on record talking about the REAL contract in the recent past, but today he pretends it wasnt necessary and the MOU was the contract.
Obviously he & his lawyer are going for the $6 million, obviously UK is going for much less….because from their point of view they do not have to pay him ANYTHING. Probably UK wants to give him a couple million and he goes away forever with no lawsuit, and thus no legal expenses for UK. The legal manuvers should be quite interesting, from a UK fans perspective I hope they are not painful or costly.
To sound a bit cliche…I’ve been a fan of Kentucky Basketball since the day I was born. Like many others, its in my blood…passed down from generation to generation. I love our team and will until the day I die. I realize that many of our fans have a tendency to be over-the-top fanatics, generally crazy with their passion for “ur” team. This fanatacism, has recently come into question on a national level with many folks thinking we are ignorant children who do nothing but cry and complain when the program isn’t up to “our” standards. I hate the way people are beginning to look down on us. I’m sure you’ve seen by now the unfortunate video of on of “our” local news reporters chasing Mr. Gillispie through the Craft Center shortly after his meeting with Mr. Barnhart and President Todd. I can say after watching that video, I have never been more embarrassed to be a fan of the University of Kentucky. The complete lack of respect shown toward our former coach is now being passed around the internet for all to see and laugh at. As a long time fan I must say Mr. Cutler’s deplorable behavior is an embarrassment to us all.
I’m sorry to use this space to vent. I realize this has nothing to do with your post. Please continue with your higher standard of journalism…it is much appreciated.
If he pushes too hard for the $6 million, it could hurt his chances of getting another good coaching position. I think he wants that more than $6 million ….on the other hand if his house does not sell, he may need the money.
What kind of mess will the new coach have in trying to come up with enough scholarships for next year? I thought there are 16 possible scholarship players for next year. If the new coach wants to sign a few other players it will be very difficult.
John and others:
The blog post “The Closing Of The Gillispie Era” is absolutely one of the finest pieces I have ever read. And the list of things that went on behind the scenes involving the players is both staggering and frightening. Absolutely uncalled for in my opinion…a coach can be tough but he doesn’t have to be brutal:
http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/
Mark Liptak
I wonder if Rupp needed written orders to be more respectful, easy to deal with, and, uh, nice.
Actually, that was rhetorical. Of course he didn’t. And he wasn’t any of those things if history is to be believed.
Rupp is the standard. Rupp is UK and UK is Rupp. Arrogant. Abusive. Painfully demanding. Perhaps a little underhanded. But above all, a winner.
I really don’t think any rational person can say that Gillispie would not be here if he were 60-6. And that’s really where this story should end.
A couple of thoughts. He did take the high road and even added a bit of humor–probably handled it as well as anyone could. I still think that his words and reality are not very well connected. He mostly utters cliches that are often contradictory to each other. Talking about how proud he was of the players(good), but then specifically talking about how much they improved as the year went on–huh? Based on what objective evidence did they improve? One note on contracts. I read it(very funny that there is a typo–misspelled “contract”). It does contemplate a full contract in 60 days and simply spells out a head of terms. It will settle for something in between. I have negotiated employment agreements as a boss and also done several on my own behalf. Both sides will be concerned about cost and perception to litigate so they will compromise and settle somewhere in between and that will be fair. I am just glad that we have the chance now to get somebody that we can be proud to represent the state and university
I agree Billy took the high road and that he is a good coach, but agree he is not the right coach for UK and thety did the right thing. I also think that Alan Cutler was rude, unprofessional and looked like a complete idiot chasing and harassing Gillispie. Cutler took the low road and I think he and the station should have to issue a public apology and maybe more. Personally I wouldn\’t care if they let him go. Maybe he can get a job with the National Enquirer. The real funny thing was him saying he could run with Billy all day. By the looks of Cutler I don\’t think he could run around the block.
I just think he acted and looked like a complete whiner and clown. I congratulate Billy on being so professional during the circus.
I would just like John Clay and Jerry Tipton to write the following article together, ” 101 Great Things About Mitch Barnhart!” We all want to know how great Mitch is and how he is a great friend of the John and Jerry Show.
Best compromise? UK buys that redneck McMansion in Nicholasville from Gillispie, so he can just walk away with some money and be gone from here forever.