Billy Gillispie Reportedly Enters Rehab

The rumors have long swirled among message boards and others that former Kentucky and Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie enjoyed the alcoholic beverages a little too much. Following his third arrest in his head coaching career for drunk driving (still no convictions, though) Gillispie seems to have reached a point that he has to admit that he has a problem.

Gillispie has checked himself in to the John Lucas After Care Program in Houston, according to WKYL TV. Lucas was a former NBA coach and player that famously battled addictions for years and eventually began running one of the most popular rehab programs for athletes and coaches.

Gillispie probably had little choice at this point. Even if Gillispie does not truly believe he has a problem, he probably needs to do this from a legal and professional perspective. Gillispie is more likely to be able to work something out over his latest arrest if he can show that he is dealing with his problem.

Yet this is even more important for his coaching career. Between the way things ended in Kentucky, the lawsuit regarding his contract (or lack thereof), and the multiple arrests for drunk driving, his coaching career was abruptly circling the drain. He needs to show prospective employers -- whether it is the athletic director of a school or a head coach that will hire him as an assistant -- that he is serious about addressing his issues with alcohol. A school would be hard-pressed to take a chance on Gillispie if he was unrepentant and unwilling to admit a problem. It's much easier to publicly support a figure that appears to be dealing with his problem.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-09-2009 @ 9:54PM

Jeff said...

I feel rather bad for Gillispie after his crap with Kentucky. It should be sobering for him just to see all the s--- the Bball program is going through with Calipari. Coming from a CT fan, and Calipari was a schmuck at neighboring UMASS, too! Payback is a b---h, and I hope G finds his way.