Calipari to replace Billy Gilespie?

[ralph1950]

Heavy rumors have Calipari replacing Gilespie at UK sooner than later.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Heavy rumors have Calipari replacing Gilespie at UK sooner than later.

Have my doubts about that. Calipari > Gillispie as a coach or recruiter. But I don't see a change anytime soon.

[Irishbearcat]

That would shock the world. I don't see how KY fans can discard a coach who hasn't even coached one conference game. Is it me, or does Kentucky act is as if they deserve to be top 5 every year?? Methinks they need to live in the now and present.

[jplog]

As much as I hate UK I think Billy G. will do a fine job there. Give him some time to recuit some talent (the cupboard was pretty thin when he got there). All the talk of replacing him can only be coming from those blow hard KY fans that we all hate (no substance at all).

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

That would shock the world. I don't see how KY fans can discard a coach who hasn't even coached one conference game. Is it me, or does Kentucky act is as if they deserve to be top 5 every year?? Methinks they need to live in the now and present.

Kentucky has never been in the Top 5 or Top 10 every year.

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/teamslist.html

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

As much as I hate UK I think Billy G. will do a fine job there. Give him some time to recuit some talent ???(the cupboard was pretty thin when he got there)??? All the talk of replacing him can only be coming from those blow hard KY fans that we all hate (no substance at all).

#33 Randolph Morris C Jr 6-11 259 Palmetto GA (Landmark Christian) HS A-A
#32 Joe Crawford G Jr 6-5 211 Detroit MI (Renaissance) HS A-A
#3 Ramel Bradley G Jr. 6-2 176 New York, NY (IMG Academy FL) #1 Prep G
#20 Jodie Meeks G Fr 6-5 206 Norcross GA (High) HS A-A
#5 Derrick Jasper G Fr 6-6 213 Paso Robles CA (High) HS A-A
#21 Perry Stevenson F Fr 6-9 178 Lafayette LA (Northside) HS A-A
#1 Michael Porter G Fr 6-2 180 Modesto CA (Modesto Christian) 3x All-St
#22 Ramon Harris F Fr 6-5 219 Anchorage AK (West) Mr Basketball
#42 Mark Coury F Fr 6-9 239 W Bloomfield, MI (Detroit County Day) walk-on
#43 Jared Carter C So 7-2 250 Georgetown KY (Scott County) All-St
#30 Dwight Perry G Fr 6-0 185 Durham NC (Southern) walk-on

AJ Stewart F 6-8 207 Jacksonville FL (Arlington Country Day) #85 Gibbons
Morakinyo Williams C 6-11 270 Alexandria VA (Bishop Ireton) #94 Gibbons

??? Bare cupboard ???

[jkwuc89]

So, what's UK excuse for losing 4 straight? Having lived in Lexington for several years, I know all too well how fanatical the fans are down there. I bet many of them are wishing Tubby was still there. They will have no patience for any rebuilding effort.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

So, what's UK excuse for losing 4 straight? Having lived in Lexington for several years, I know all too well how fanatical the fans are down there. I bet many of them are wishing Tubby was still there. They will have no patience for any rebuilding effort.

Injuries. Returning starter Derrick Jasper out all year. Returning 6th man and probable starter Jodie Meeks out most of the year. Big man Jared Carter slow to recover from shoulder injuries. Wing Ramon Harris injured early this season.

And transfer. HS All-American frosh Alex Legion left UK for Illinois this month.

Few, if any UK fans are wishing Tubby back. Many want(ed) Pitino back.

Even those of us who are Tubby's friends are happy (for him) that he's in Minnesota where the fans and AD will respect him as he deserves.

That never happened in Lexington or the rest of Kentucky. Some UK fans wanted him gone midway through the 1998 championship season, when they were "the worst 22-4 team in the nation" according to one fan.

[Irishbearcat]

Kentucky has never been in the Top 5 or Top 10 every year.

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/teamslist.html

Doesn't mean they don't have visions of grandeur. :D

[bearcated]

Why would Calipari want the job? He has it sweet at Memphis. As long as he can continue to recruit the top level talent why put up with the BS of coaching UK? Look what Memphis just did to G-town. Memphis can win it all.

[iamspen]

Kentucky fans were idiots when they pushed Tubby out the door. They'd be idiots to push another coach out the door with anything less than three years under his belt. But they will, because, as I said, they're idiots.

Just what did Tubby do to get fired, anyway? Comparing Tubby at UK to Huggins at UC would be more than accurate, if you look at achievement. I think Kentucky fans expect far too much, and, at this point, nothing will make them happy.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Kentucky fans were idiots when they pushed Tubby out the door. They'd be idiots to push another coach out the door with anything less than three years under his belt. But they will, because, as I said, they're idiots.

Just what did Tubby do to get fired, anyway? Comparing Tubby at UK to Huggins at UC would be more than accurate, if you look at achievement. I think Kentucky fans expect far too much, and, at this point, nothing will make them happy.

Tubby left on his own. No one pushed him anywhere. Good for him. Those of us who know him are very happy for him.

He won 76% of his UK games, 72% of his NCAA games. (UK averages 76% all-time and 69% in NCAA games)

He won 1 NCAA title, 5 SEC titles, and 5 SECT championships in 10 years - each at the UK historical averages.

UK fans are the most idiotic fans in college sports. Not even close.

[bearcatfan93]

almost my whole family lives in lexington and my mom is from lexington and tehy are all die hard uk fans. i was tehre yesterday fro christmas and we talked about gelispe for hours and tehy told me that they are giving him 2 years to be back where they need to be. so far they are not impressed but believe he will get it done. I talk to my uncle frequently and when tubby got fired he said that him and all of his buddies wanted calipari more than anyone so i could see that in the near future but definately not now.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

almost my whole family lives in lexington and my mom is from lexington and tehy are all die hard uk fans. i was tehre yesterday fro christmas and we talked about gelispe for hours and tehy told me that they are giving him 2 years to be back where they need to be. so far they are not impressed but believe he will get it done. I talk to my uncle frequently and when tubby got fired he said that him and all of his buddies wanted calipari more than anyone so i could see that in the near future but definately not now.

Tubby Smith did NOT get fired by UK. He left on his own for a better spot for him.

Gillispie has a 7 year contract. Absent NCAA problems or off-the-court issues, UK will give him all 7 years.

I doubt Calipari ever coaches for UK.

[611116]

With UK's history (e.g. Eddie Sutton/Eric Manuel). It would be really unwise for them to draft a coach that is known to have bought Marcus Camby.

[jkwuc89]

Tubby Smith did NOT get fired by UK. He left on his own for a better spot for him.

Gillispie has a 7 year contract. Absent NCAA problems or off-the-court issues, UK will give him all 7 years.

I doubt Calipari ever coaches for UK.

Unless something dramatically changes for UK during SEC play, UK will be lucky to make the NIT this season. That is simply not acceptable at UK. If Gillispie's charges don't improve during the rest of this season and repeat the same level of performance next season, I believe UK will look to dismiss him. Those in charge might tolerate one off season but they won't tolerate two.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Unless something dramatically changes for UK during SEC play, UK will be lucky to make the NIT this season. That is simply not acceptable at UK. If Gillispie's charges don't improve during the rest of this season and repeat the same level of performance next season, I believe UK will look to dismiss him. Those in charge might tolerate one off season but they won't tolerate two.

UK has 1 losing season (yep, 1) in the past 80 years.

It's possible this year (6-7 OOC, 8-8 SEC or worse = 14-15) would be #2.

U R correct. They won't tolerate #3 if it were to happen.

I think he stays the 7 years, at least. This year is an aberration.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

With UK's history (e.g. Eddie Sutton/Eric Manuel). It would be really unwise for them to draft a coach that is known to have bought Marcus Camby.

Rented.

He rented him for a few years.

[jkwuc89]

Interesting factoid regarding Gillispie's status at Kentucky that I did not know. The statement below comes from this Pat Forde column (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3177518&sportCat=ncb&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab6pos1) on ESPN.

Some Kentucky fans have begun publicly wondering if the school shouldn't capitalize on Gillispie's curiously unsigned contract and cut its losses. Now. Or, at the very least, in the spring.

(It seriously would behoove the man to sign the deal, because he has a shot at losing 20 games this season. And that can get anyone fired at Kentucky.)

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Interesting factoid regarding Gillispie's status at Kentucky that I did not know. The statement below comes from this Pat Forde column (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3177518&sportCat=ncb&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab6pos1) on ESPN.

Some Kentucky fans have begun publicly wondering if the school shouldn't capitalize on Gillispie's curiously unsigned contract and cut its losses. Now. Or, at the very least, in the spring.

(It seriously would behoove the man to sign the deal, because he has a shot at losing 20 games this season. And that can get anyone fired at Kentucky.)

Gillispie has (previously) signed a legally binding Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) that spells out terms and conditions of his employment at UK. It is binding on both him and the school for the next 7 years.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Latest RPI from Jerry Palm, CollegeRPI.com

1 Memphis
7 Dayton
12 Butler
13 Xavier
15 Ohio St
18 Ole Miss
33 Miami
36 Ohio
37 IU
46 West Virginia
55 Wright St
105 Louisville
143 Purdue
162 Cincinnati
244 Kentucky

[jkwuc89]

Gillispie has (previously) signed a legally binding Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) that spells out terms and conditions of his employment at UK. It is binding on both him and the school for the next 7 years.

We both know how binding college coaching contracts are these days. If a college wants to hire or fire someone, it can be done regardless of the contract status. It is a shame that the players don't enjoy the same freedom to move about.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

We both know how binding college coaching contracts are these days. If a college wants to hire or fire someone, it can be done regardless of the contract status. It is a shame that the players don't enjoy the same freedom to move about.

Both true. But Gillispie and UK do have a signed (MOU) agreement that spells out the T&C of his employment.

Certainly UK can let him go. They'll just have to pay him (something) for it.

[Irishbearcat]

This is a situation like the one that Jones from Hawaii faces (to a lesser degree). Leaving a good situation for more money is why more coaches are becoming prone to not jumping every time money is being waved. This is one reason why I believe BK will remain at UC for some time. He is in a position to become the next Bob Huggins (dare I say that?) and establish his mark on a BCS school. Gonna be fun to watch.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

This is a situation like the one that Jones from Hawaii faces (to a lesser degree). Leaving a good situation for more money is why more coaches are becoming prone to not jumping every time money is being waved. This is one reason why I believe BK will remain at UC for some time. He is in a position to become the next Bob Huggins (dare I say that?) and establish his mark on a BCS school. Gonna be fun to watch.

UC became a BCS school in 2005-06. Coach Huggins was not at UC then.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

We both know how binding college coaching contracts are these days. If a college wants to hire or fire someone, it can be done regardless of the contract status. It is a shame that the players don't enjoy the same freedom to move about.

(From Lance's blog)

"This is what UK fans wanted.........and they've got it.
20+ win seasons and 10 Loss Tubby wasn't enough. This is what you signed up for....now be patient and let Billy implement his plan. This may sound disrespectful, but I don't mean it to be.....Billy Gillispie might be a better recruiter than Tubby Smith, but he's not a better coach."
-Jay Bilas on ESPN, following UK's loss to UL to drop their record to 6-7.

[binturong07]

Kentucky has never been in the Top 5 or Top 10 every year.

http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/teamslist.html

Kentucky hasnt been in the top 5 or top 10 every year? Maybe not every year, but come on...

not counting the last three years, here are their final rankings (pre-tourney).

9,7,2,1,16,9,19,8,5,5,2,2,7,2,6,9. avg. finish of 6th since 1990! So I can understand why UK fans are a bit upset, they are not used to losing at this level.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

First poll (ever) was AP poll in 1949.

That's 60 years from then (49) until now (2008).

UK has been #1 (end of the season) 8 times out of 60. (14%)
Tubby 1 time out of 10. (10%)

UK has been Top 5 (EOTS poll) 26 times out of 60. (43%)
Tubby 4 times out of 10. (40%)

UK has been Top 10 (EOTS) 38 times out of 60. (63%)
Tubby 6 times out of 10. (60%)

(Presuming they are not #1, Top 5 or Top 10 in 2008)

That's 22 years out of 60 (37%) that UK has NOT been Top 10 or better.
Tubby 4 years out of 10. (40%)

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

BTW Gillispie has 1 Top 10 finish in 5 years (soon to be 6). And 0 Top 5 or #1 finishes.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

http://p218.ezboard.com/Billy-Gillispie/fthehole84398frm8.showMessage?topicID=14308.topic Looks like Gillispie had a bad day, if this is true.

[Irishbearcat]

UC became a BCS school in 2005-06. Coach Huggins was not at UC then.

Didn't mean to imply that, nor would that be relevant to my greater point. Although I do appreciate the assist.

[Irishbearcat]

http://p218.ezboard.com/Billy-Gillispie/fthehole84398frm8.showMessage?topicID=14308.topic Looks like Gillispie had a bad day, if this is true.

Wow, good find. If that is true, I can see why there might be an exodus of players.

[Bearcat Fan Since 1958]

Didn't mean to imply that, nor would that be relevant to my greater point. Although I do appreciate the assist.

100% relevant. Huggins made his coaching mark at a Metro / Great Midwest / C-USA school, none of which are BCS conferences.