BREAKING: This is still technically at the rumor stage as of 7:55AM EDT, but it is being widely reported that the University of Kentucky will announce Billy Gillispie as their next head coach at 12:45 PM EDT today (Friday.) The official website of the Wildcats, UKAthletics.com, is running the story minus the name of the head coach at this web address.Gillispie is reportedly Kentucky's third choice after Florida's Billy Donovan and Texas' Rick Barnes.
Gillispie comes to the bluegrass from Texas A&M, where he has engineered a remarkable turnaround of the Aggies' basketball program.
Previously on Fanhouse:
Gillispie is Waiting on Kentucky
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Looks like you guys might get a Billy after all, just not the one you wanted, but at least someone actually still might want the job....... Billy is a great coach in all, but I'm not sure if he is much better than Tubby was. He has done some great things at A&M, but outside of Acie Law, he really has not pulled any big name recruits like you guys want over there at UK.
You might have been better off keeping Tubby. I give him 2 years and you guys will be at his front door with torches and pitch forks in hand, like the crazed villagers that you used to see in the old Frankenstein movies.
I found this a little interesting, you guys hate it when you are referred to as Hillbillies, but 2 out of 3 of the top coaches on your wish list are both named Billy ?? Hum, 1 billy would make him a HillBilly, but 2 Billy's would make them Hillbilly's.
I owe you Kensucky fans an apology after calling you a 2nd rate, 2nd tier program.....you are clearly now a 3rd rate, 3rd tier program!.......2 rejections in one day!...wow, didn't realize how far you have fallen....and stop with your numbers and sec champs and nat'l titles...yes you had a great run, but that was LAST CENTURY for gods sake, you haven't done chiit in almost 10 years!.......and it wouldn't be so much fun to rip you but for your arrogance over the past couple of weeks being so sure Billy D would "come home"...home for Billy D is Long Island New York you goofs, not Kensucky!...But we all know now where he truly considers his home to be....TITLETOWN, USA! otherwise known as Gainseville, FL...so get over yourselves now...Kensucky's time has come and gone and your glory days are ancient history...enjoy the 3rd tier of the SEC!!!!!!!!!!! (at least you have your memories from last century!)....GO GATORS! The rulers of the 21st Century!
Well hillbillies we may be, but I can definetly see why all of you guys are so upset. It angers you that we are gonna be good again. Also just for the record, neiterh Donovon or Barnes was actually offered the job. Donovan said no before he was offered anything, which is alright because everyone knew he was the first choice. But Rick Barnes on the other hand....I guess he thinks so highly of himself that he thought we wanted him desperately. Well I, on the other hand, would have taken Gillespie over Donovan or Barnes eother way. Gillespie pulled A&M out of the shitter in a hurry, which is exactly what we need. Thanks for being so offensive, it seems you are coming off as way less evolved than myself, a Kentucky fan, a Kentucky native, a "hillbilly' with morals.
Coaches are not any different than athletes as it
applies to "free agency", etc., they~coaches, have
every right to try and better themselves in the hopes
of advancing their careers, massaging their egos,
seeking more prestigious institutions/universities,
but where is "consideration" for the young student-
athletes Gillispie recruited for Texas A&M? He, like
numerous other coaches can chase the $$$ and prestige
of more desirable venues to practice his trade,BUT
somehow and some way these coaches/educators need
to be held accountable for their apparent lack of
loyalty and good faith when it comes to abandoning
these student/athletes!
How can Billy Gillispie be an official men’s basketball coach at the University of Kentucky without a proper “Fire” site?
Problem solved.
http://firebilly.com
that is dumb a&m needs him
To start with, Jumpin' jack flash, Acie Law IV was already at A&M when Gillespie came over from UTEP. Joseph jones was his first "big" recruit (I will argue how "big" he was). However, he did snag two top 5 state recriuts last year (Donald Sloan and Derrick (?) Roland from seagoville (same school as LaMagcus Aldridge), and he has a top 10 recruit (from Rivals.com) from Houston; 7 footer deandre jordan. What puzzles me is why would Gillespie leave a program on the rise with one of the most underrated recruiting bases for a so-called "dream job" at kentucky. Gillespie got his shot in coaching from bill self b/c he could recruit texas; from tulsa to illinois to utep to A&M, that was his claim to fame. Kentucky hasn't done a thing since Pitino (Tubby's team was from pitino or his legacy), and the "name" doesn't mean anything unless you are searching for an SEC team that is over rated and known for what their bigot-ass coach Rupp did two generations ago. Kentucky is not what it was twenty years ago; why do you think donovan didn't go there? To all you who think these are sour grapes and I'm just bashing your podunk state, you are right. I just hope someone can read this to you before you uncle tries to propogate his seed. You know what they say, "It's all relative in Kentucky!". Maybe gillespie can find someone he relates to in the stables. Who cares, he's about as cool as AIDS.
Dear Aggies,
How does it feel?
Love,
UTEP
I love all the Kentucky bashing. That only happens out of jealousy. Sure Kentucky may be in a slump the last few years, but that happens to all programs. Just watch what happens to Florida the next few years, it will be a while before they return to where they're at right now. Don't know the exact stats, but I would venture to guess what Kentucky has done since Tubby won the championship is still in the top 10 in terms of wins and losses and NCAA finishes. So, as a Kentucky fan, sure we want better, but what we've been doing isn't all that bad, and it will get better. Yeah, it would have been nice to land Donovan, but you know what, it will be even sweeter to do it without him. So enjoy it while you can Florida fans, because before too long, maybe not next year, but soon there after, we will be whoopin your asses again.
what are you complaining and crying about Aggie fans. You all did the same thing to UTEP, haha, now you know what it feels like.
ok so to the person below me, what does the name Billy have anything to do with kentuckians being "hillbillies?" Have you ever been to Kentucky?? I'm sure that you would find that 90% of us AREN'T hillbillies, so do us all a favor and shut up!