Gillispie gone
posted by David Cloninger, 3/27/2009 03:37:00 PM
Can't say I'm surprised. It wasn't just the wins and losses (plenty of both). It was how Gillispie never seemed to be the man who could carry the public function of being coach of the most high-profile basketball school in the land.
Where does Kentucky go from here? Not after Darrin Horn, if anybody out there is concerned. Horn is perfect for South Carolina, and if he was to ever land on Kentucky's radar, it'll be after several years of winning big in Columbia. I know he's a Lexington native and all, but his name won't be on UK's list (or at least not near the top of it).
Which begs the question, who will be? Gary Parrish of CBSSportsline.com already reported that four main candidates could be Florida's Billy Donovan, Memphis' John Calipari, Michigan State's Tom Izzo and Oklahoma State's Travis Ford.
It should be interesting. Donovan turned down the gig before UK hired Gillispie. At the time, it was the right move. He'd just won back-to-back national championships, had a great recruiting class coming in and was getting mega-bucks offers from the NBA.
Now, he's got a team that's made two straight NIT berths. He's got a good team returning next year, but if Nick Calathes decides to go pro, it makes it that much weaker.
If Donovan were to take it, that'd also make it interesting for Alabama, which has twice discussed its job with Anthony Grant. Grant would take the Florida gig with bells on -- he was the guy they wanted when Donovan took, then hastily un-took, the Orlando Magic gig -- but if he doesn't commit to Bama with the reason of keeping his Florida options open, he may be stuck at VCU for a while.
Calipari is a winner, for sure. He's also had his run-ins with the NCAA, when he was at UMass. As one pal of mine pointed out, would UK want that kind of reputation? If he wins, most definitely. It's not like Kentucky's squeaky-clean in that regard.
Izzo is the guy I'd go after if Donovan turned me down. He wins, he wins cleanly, he's restored a power at Michigan State. Plus, he's proven his ability to get to the Final Four, which was the main drawback (the UK fans said) to ol' 25-games-a-year-winner Tubby Smith.
We'll keep an eye out. I think no matter which way they go, the SEC's national profile will get a shot in the arm next year with the arrival of three new coaches.
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It has finally happened. Kentucky has scheduled a 4:30 p.m. press conference today to announce that Billy Gillispie has been fired.
Can't say I'm surprised. It wasn't just the wins and losses (plenty of both). It was how Gillispie never seemed to be the man who could carry the public function of being coach of the most high-profile basketball school in the land.
Where does Kentucky go from here? Not after Darrin Horn, if anybody out there is concerned. Horn is perfect for South Carolina, and if he was to ever land on Kentucky's radar, it'll be after several years of winning big in Columbia. I know he's a Lexington native and all, but his name won't be on UK's list (or at least not near the top of it).
Which begs the question, who will be? Gary Parrish of CBSSportsline.com already reported that four main candidates could be Florida's Billy Donovan, Memphis' John Calipari, Michigan State's Tom Izzo and Oklahoma State's Travis Ford.
It should be interesting. Donovan turned down the gig before UK hired Gillispie. At the time, it was the right move. He'd just won back-to-back national championships, had a great recruiting class coming in and was getting mega-bucks offers from the NBA.
Now, he's got a team that's made two straight NIT berths. He's got a good team returning next year, but if Nick Calathes decides to go pro, it makes it that much weaker.
If Donovan were to take it, that'd also make it interesting for Alabama, which has twice discussed its job with Anthony Grant. Grant would take the Florida gig with bells on -- he was the guy they wanted when Donovan took, then hastily un-took, the Orlando Magic gig -- but if he doesn't commit to Bama with the reason of keeping his Florida options open, he may be stuck at VCU for a while.
Calipari is a winner, for sure. He's also had his run-ins with the NCAA, when he was at UMass. As one pal of mine pointed out, would UK want that kind of reputation? If he wins, most definitely. It's not like Kentucky's squeaky-clean in that regard.
Izzo is the guy I'd go after if Donovan turned me down. He wins, he wins cleanly, he's restored a power at Michigan State. Plus, he's proven his ability to get to the Final Four, which was the main drawback (the UK fans said) to ol' 25-games-a-year-winner Tubby Smith.
We'll keep an eye out. I think no matter which way they go, the SEC's national profile will get a shot in the arm next year with the arrival of three new coaches.
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David Cloninger. David is a full-time staff writer for GamecockCentral, and covers Gamecock football, men's basketball, baseball and recruiting. He may be reached by email at david(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.