Kentucky followed through on its long-rumored promise to can coach Billy "Matt Doherty" Gillispie on Friday.
When one of the premier jobs in college basketball opens up, a circus is sure to follow. The names being thrown out as the next Kentucky coach could potentially impact the ACC.
Here's how:
1) John Calipari
If Coach Cal leaves Memphis for Kentucky, what will that mean for the Raleigh prep stars being recruited by Calipari? Will John Wall, and/or C.J. Leslie (in 2010) follow Calipari to Bluegrass Country or stay closer to home with N.C. State or Duke (in Wall's case)?
2) Billy Donovan
If Donovan leaves Florida, does that mean VCU's Anthony Grant — who is rumored to have a deal with Alabama — will replace Donovan? Grant was hired to replace Donovan in 2007 when the Florida coach accepted a deal with the Orlando Magic after winning back-to-back national titles with the Gators. When Donovan changed his mind, Grant went back to VCU.
The SEC openings seem to take Grant out of play for Virginia, which is either waiting for Minnesota's Tubby Smith (and has been all along), Oklahoma's Jeff Capel (whose team is still alive) or Xavier's Sean Miller (whose team lost last night).
For a highly amusing take on the Kentucky situation and a certain former ACC coach (and Kentucky assistant), check out State Fans Nation.
With Gillispie's ouster, for allegedly mistreating his players and, like Doherty, being unable to "play nice with others," there are two mongo jobs open — Kentucky and Arizona.
On the next tier is Virginia, Georgia and Alabama.
I hope Kentucky has a money tree. Gillispie's reported buyout is $6 million and it would take another $4 million per year to get Donovan.
Comments
you can bet your sweet a$$
Fri, 03/27/2009 - 20:56 — gvillegatrBilly "Eddie Munster" Donovan WILL NOT be turning this job down again and thats only assuming he gets it offered to him again. He's followed back-to-back titles with back-to-back DNF's in the NIT.
Cal will be the front runner. how could he not be. Pitino vs Cal. almost as good as Roy vs Rat.
Notre Dame of college hoops
Fri, 03/27/2009 - 19:21 — Guitarman51KY is the Notre Dame of college basketball. They still think that they are the best program around, but, like the Irish, they have been passed by many teams, UNC, Kansas, Louisville, and Memphis to name four of them. Maybe they'll figure that out when they get turned down again by Billy Donovan and can't get any of the other big name coaches they want to give them a look. In the end they'll have to settle for Travis Ford, the UK version of the Sidney Lowe hire.