Former Kentucky and Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie has checked himself into the John Lucas After Care Program in Houston to help fight his alcohol addiction, a source close to the former head coach confirmed to FanHouse on Wednesday.Gillispie, who was dismissed as the Wildcats coach after last season, was arrested on his third known DUI charge last month in Kentucky
"He didn't have a whole lot of choices," the source told FanHouse. "Either [go to] Lucas or go to Betty Ford or somewhere. This is the best PR move Billy Clyde can make."
Indeed Gillispie needs all the help can get. While still embroiled in a suit with the Kentucky for the remaining pay of his unsigned contract, Gillispie would have been in line for some high-profile openings based on his accomplishments both at UT-El Paso and A&M.
But his latest DUI charge might scare away some quality programs that were prepared to line up for his services after next season. Gillispie was also arrested on DUI charges in 1999 while an assistant coach at Tulsa and then in 2003 during his first season as head coach at UTEP. Those two arrests ended in virtual wrist slaps.
Checking into Lucas' rehabilitation center, however, could go a long way in rebuilding the trust of some athletic directors and college presidents. Lucas, a former addict himself, has helped several former and current NBA players fight addiction.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
"Rehab?" Isn't that the name of that ridiculous overpriced "see and be seen" pool party at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel? Sounds like fun for Gillespie but I just don't see how it will help him.
It absolutely won't help him...with that history? This guy needs a real ego check, and more than a slap on the wrist. Otherwise, he'll do it again, and again--you watch.
Hey, DO NOT MAKE FUN OF REHAB ! KAPEESH? It saves peoples lives. 99% go in on their own because they are sick and tired of being sick and tired. There is nothing wrong with gathering around the pool, but I can assure you, most of the day is spent in Group Therapy, AA education and much more. Give these folks a pat on the back instead of making idiotic remarks on a subject you don't seem to be very educcated on.
some college will hire him- isaiha thomas has a job.
Rehab will likely include a TON of education about addiction as well as what alcohol does to your brain. If a person is addicted to anything such as alcohol or drugs...typically other behavioral problems will show up. If you are a college paying a couple million a year, you do NOT hire this guy. 30 days of rehab is NOT a poolside vacation.
I hope Billy comes back. If had murdered some dogs and klled smeone when he was driving drunk and then beat the hell out of his wife or girlfriend he would already be back.
You should so get over your Michael Vick problem. Dogs don"t equate to humans. Your comment should have read if he had beat up a cab driver over twenty cents, or if he had killed his best friend while driving drunk, parked the car in the gagage until the next morning and got off scot free then he would be back by now.
Billy Gillespie, good luck!
3 dui's-rehab- come on let's hear some clinking and i don't mean glasses
How can anyone sue over an "unsidned" contract?
Rehab is fine. Stopping the use of alcohol or other drugs now and for the rest of his is the solution. There is no absolute rule though some people will tell you there is. If he remains alcohol/drug free for 12 months or longer and appears to be living a productive life that might be an indicator he is worth taking a chance on.
Everybody in Lexington, Ky knows that Gillispie was fired as UK's basketball coach because he was one of the most obnoxious drunks in the city.
IS IT JUST ME OR DOES COACH "K" AT DUKE LOOK BETTER ALL THE TIME COMPARED TO SO MANY OF HIS COUNTERPARTS?
i hope he gets better and get another job. but he clearly needs help. he was not treated well at kentucky. i think if he did not have a drinking problem he would have not lost his job at kentucky. too many problems and they could not deal with his problems and publicity. good luck to him in the future. get better billy gillispie and hope to see u coaching somewheres.
Gillespie simply needs to get off the booze and do what so many professional football players do (See Article last week on AOL) and smoke some marijuana to chill. He may become gentler and kinder and more effective. It is much less harmful than booze when used in moderation.
An aftercare program is not the same as a full blown stay at rehab. It is for people who have gone through rehab as a support and reinforcement. He obviously is using this as a ploy to stay out of jail and I can't believe the Lucas center is letting him get away with it. I guess money talks.
ASKYOU, As far as saying Dog's don't equate to Humans, you may be right... but a life is a life. If someone doesn't speak up for those who can't speak up for themselves, who will. And someone who can hurt anything and not think twice has a problem. If they will do it to an animals, what makes you think they won't hurt others. Many people that start with Animals escalate to children/people! I'm not saying that Vick will, but you shouldn't be so flip! As far as Rehab, hopefully he makes a real go of it. It can help!
Billy was used to working with kids that weren't as good as the "prima donas" that one gets at a school like Kentucky. He was familiar with kids that understood the concept of "working for the best of the team", not those that wanted maximum points and glamour, so they could make the NBA.
I hope he gets another chance working for a team that doesn't get that great recruiting class, but a "team" of unwanted players that understand the concept of team work. When he returns I hope he gets a chance to beat the crap out of Kentucky, hopefully in the sweet sixteen in Lexington. If I was him, I'd be pissed to, and yes, I would be drinking.
What a dissapointment! He just needed time to get some unselfish players who understood the team concept. He'll be back. And he will kick some serious butt!!!!