It looks like Drew to UK - Nope Drew turns down Kentucky - UK scrambles and turns to Mark Pope (BYU)

So I had to go look and found this in the ESPN article most recently linked:

"Before the job even opened, national title-winning coaches Jay Wright, formerly of Villanova, and Dan Hurley of UConn declined interest. Bulls coach Billy Donovan, who won two national titles at Florida, said publicly that he is committed to Chicago, which plays in the NBA play-in tournament on April 17."

 

Billy turned down UK while at UF. Why would he leave the NBA to come coach at a team he turned down before going to the NBA, especially since he'd not only be playing against his former team - but his name is on the damn court
BD would have to have ZERO sense of legacy to pull a move like that....and he is not a dumb man, not by a long shot. I say 0.00% he takes the UK job if offered.

 

ok there you go....

 

Wow, I hope they don’t keep getting turned down publicly like this.

 

I hear ya but isn't it kinda what is most likely to happen when you start with the best possible options regardless of perceived level of interest?

 

Yeah I don't view that the same as being officially contacted, offered and declining. Jay Wright's was obviously proven to be meaningful, as was Hurley's now. Both have recently said no since the position opened. However, Hurley hadn't said a definitive "no" prior to this. He'd had a lot of opportunities and always said something that wasn't shooting it down. Until now.

Donovan is next and I'd expect the same outcome. That being said, he certainly hasn't shot it down yet.

 

I believe this is what you are talking about:



Good luck.

 

I’m being silly.

Lots of people here were moaning about how we got hosed publicly in some of our football coaching searches.

Also - I have tons of respect for UK. I lived in Kentucky as a kid, my brother is alum. That said, I don’t mind them struggling a little bit here.

 

The situation suggests that UK might have invested disproportionately in football compared to basketball. This, coupled with Calipari's mediocre record, prompted his departure to a rival team for a reduced annual salary. With several coaches declining UK's offers, the question arises: what will be their next move?

 

has to be hard for a guy to turn down a huge pay day, seems I'd throw a crazy number back at Kentucky -
$15 million a year, school pays for my house and all associated utilities and expenses, 5 cars of our choice, a lakehouse or beach house and a boat.

 

I hear ya, thanks! Man, my concern is how likely it is that UK fans have more struggling ahead...

 

Go for Brad Stevens, Mark Few, Thad Matta, or Isiah Thomas or bring Mike Krzyzewski out of retirement. Or even better get one of these winners from the Calapari coaching tree to lead UK to glory: College basketball's most barren coaching tree

 

I dont understand why people are in such a hurry. I am hoping Barnhart takes his time and get the right person. I am not worried about next year. I am looking to build something and actually have some players return.

 

I'm just here for the 8th choice.

 

Why not World Wide Wes? One hell of a recruiter.

 

It's nose-and-nose with Leonard Hamilton.

 

KY is living in the past in basketball like UF has been in football for quite awhile.

 

This JOKE post was put up on the premium side so I thought we could get a nice, little laugh here too:



It's not real . . . but funny.