[Fumblerooskies]

Billy Donovan reportedly denying any interest at all in the UK job.

[flamesbball84]

Billy Donovan reportedly denying any interest at all in the UK job.

There are also reports out there now that UF asked Donovan to issue that statement until they find a replacement for Donovan and that people have been told not to believe Donovan's statement. Note in his statement issued on ESPN he says he is committed to staying at Florida. He never actually said he wasn't interested in the UK job. The argument is that he has agreed to be the coach, but that UF doesn't want him giving any indications he is leaving Florida until it is 100% official he will be the coach at UK, trying to avoid that Orlando Magic fiasco the other year ago. I'm not buying into that report at all, but it's out there and being reported by some reputable media folks, not just just a bunch of bloggers...

At this point I'm not really going to believe anything until someone actually is announced as the coach though.

[Fumblerooskies]

Good point, FBB84.

There are certainly no more passionate fans that the UK bunch. In my travels at Kansas, Carolina, Arizona, UConn, etc...nothing beat the scene coming out of the tunnel before a UK game for the first time and seeing a sea of blue at Rupp.

[flamesbball84]

did anyone hear Dick Vitale suggest that UK should hire Bob Knight and have Travis Ford come in as an apprentice? How big of a freaking moron does Dicky V have to be realize that would be completely moronic?

[flamesbball84]

Good point, FBB84.

There are certainly no more passionate fans that the UK bunch. In my travels at Kansas, Carolina, Arizona, UConn, etc...nothing beat the scene coming out of the tunnel before a UK game for the first time and seeing a sea of blue at Rupp.

Yes, this situation makes me recall Nick Saban saying he wasn't going to leave the Dolphins Alabama when he full well knew he was going to. Also reminds me when Pitino left UK for the Celtics and he essentially said he was committed to staying at UK in some interview, then when he got back from some vacation overseas he bolted for the Celtics. I'm sure tehre are other instances of this happening, just those two were at the top of my mind. So I can certainly see how this report would come out, rather it be true or not.

[Fumblerooskies]

did anyone hear Dick Vitale suggest that UK should hire Bob Knight and have Travis Ford come in as an apprentice? How big of a freaking moron does Dicky V have to be realize that would be completely moronic?

Exactly.

[flamesbball84]

did anyone hear Dick Vitale suggest that UK should hire Bob Knight and have Travis Ford come in as an apprentice? How big of a freaking moron does Dicky V have to be realize that would be completely moronic?

Exactly.

I wish ESPN would hire a basketball personality that would simply just tell DV to shut the eff up because he hasnt said an intelligent thing in ages.

[flamesbball84]

it's official, anthony grant going to alabama
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/stor ... BHeadlines

[LUconn]

so now if Donivan does leave, UF has no back up plan.

[flamesbball84]

if UK really wanted to go with a grand slam hire they'd do all they could to get calipari and hope worldwide wes doesnt follow him to lexington. I know he has already said he isn't going to UK, but I bet he'd listen if UK came with a huge salary to throw at him.

Us UK fans can only hope that mitch barnhart (the AD) truly realizes if he screws up another mens hoops hiring he is toast so he will go out and throw the bank at every single top coaching candidate out there until he gets a good one. If he ends up settling for Travis Ford then it becoming more and more evident that he will have to start preparing his resume...

[flamesbball84]

well this is interesting...

NEWS 25 Sports has learned Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is the top choice to replace Billy Gillispie as UK head coach.

Sources in Lexington told News 25 late Friday night that Izzo is the target of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. Those sources also told NEWS 25 Sports Izzo's representatives have said if Izzo is offered the UK job, Izzo would accept.

http://www.abc25.com/dsp_story.cfm?stor ... imeout=500[/quote]

[ALUmnus]

I think it's hilarious that Gillispie supposedly never actually signed his contract, so he's not owed any money. What kind of idiot works on a permanent hotseat for that much money without ever signing the contract? The guy just sounds like he has absolutely no common sense.

[Hold My Own]

Sounds like his agent needs to lose his job.


Why cant Mizzu just lose already???? If they make it to the final 4 then they will pay him whatever it takes to keep him...if he loses out then he'll take the GA job...or bama (has that been filled yet?)

[LUconn]

Actually I saw on espn news this morning mizzou is working to get him extended 5 more years. And yes mama has been filled.

[flamesbball84]

a key in this hiring process is going to be Mike Pratt. The AD said he was going to be heavily involved in the process, and as a former teammate of Dan Issel, he understands what it's like to be at UK. He is also the Director of Major Gifts for the UK Athletic Department, so you can basically guarantee that the boosters are going to be having major say in who is hired at UK, and apparently there are quite a few major boosters who really don't like Travis Ford, so I'd be shocked if Ford was the next coach. At this point it sounds like UK is going to throw all the money they possibly can at virtually every top candidate out there until someone takes the job.

[flamesbball84]

the latest rumor that has caught on is that calipari will be a wildcat - either the arizona or kentucky variety - and will be resigning on Monday. if that resignation is indeed true, it will come down to whoever ponies up the most money, and I can guarantee that arizona won't be able to outbid kentucky...

[RagingTireFire]

I can guarantee that arizona won't be able to outbid kentucky...

The Arizona university system is in a major financial sinkhole right now so you're probably right about that.

(Notice how I avoided making the obvious Grand Canyon reference between "Arizona" and "hole".)

[flamesbball84]

I can guarantee that arizona won't be able to outbid kentucky...

The Arizona university system is in a major financial sinkhole right now so you're probably right about that.

(Notice how I avoided making the obvious Grand Canyon reference between "Arizona" and "hole".)

And Arizona apaprently doesn't like to pay their coaches as much as market value? I wouldn't know since I don't follow Arizona athletics, I've just been reading that and that also lends me to believe that Arizona stands no chance unless Cal is still ticked off that UK didn't go after him 2 years ago...

[flamesbball84]

I think it's hilarious that Gillispie supposedly never actually signed his contract, so he's not owed any money. What kind of idiot works on a permanent hotseat for that much money without ever signing the contract? The guy just sounds like he has absolutely no common sense.

There was a buyout in his memorandum which both he and the AD signed, which is why he thinks UK owes him money. Regardless, it's going to be a messy legal ordeal that wont be solved anytime soon.

[AZjonz]

Kentucky will outbid Arizona if they are interested in the same coach. That fan base is crazier than outhouse rats and they have lots of money.

BUT, while the Arizona university system is in a financial sinkhole, the University of Arizona athletics is self-sufficient and does not rely on taxpayer money. In fact, the basketball program ranks #6 as most profitable in the nation (per Forbes). 2 years ago they were #4. Their budget runs in the black. As far as market value, Lute Olson never asked for market value as he never wanted to leave Tucson. Since 2000-01, the AZ AD – Jim Livengood – has been fundraising for a new coach replacement when Lute was done.

What helps AZ is that they do not have to buyout their own coach. They just have to find their guy and buy him out and offer a top salary. Arte Moreno – Angels owner, and Robert Sarver – Suns owners are two big AZ boosters who are rumored to be upping the cash pile.

It’s also rumored that AZ already has their guy. But it’s all rumors; I won’t even get into the craziness that has been rumored here for a while.

[flamesbball84]

there are some fairly substantial rumors out there that Memphis is desperately trying to get more money to throw at Calipari. Why would they be trying so hard to get more if they were scared to death that Calipari was going to be bolting pretty soon?

[flamesbball84]

Kentucky will outbid Arizona if they are interested in the same coach. That fan base is crazier than outhouse rats and they have lots of money.

About the only program that could realistically outbid Kentucky is OK St. and thats because of t. boone pickens, and that school doesn't care enough about basketball to do it. if the reports really are true that its going to come down to whoever offers the most money, there isnt a doubt in my mind that UK will put to shame what other schools are offering. however, as much as i like these reports, i'm not believing them until I hear something 100% official!

[AZjonz]

Kentucky will outbid Arizona if they are interested in the same coach. That fan base is crazier than outhouse rats and they have lots of money.

About the only program that could realistically outbid Kentucky is OK St. and thats because of t. boone pickens, and that school doesn't care enough about basketball to do it. if the reports really are true that its going to come down to whoever offers the most money, there isnt a doubt in my mind that UK will put to shame what other schools are offering. however, as much as i like these reports, i'm not believing them until I hear something 100% official!

Is Kentucky worth it though? I mean they are looking like a train wreck right now. In the end, the really good, competitive coaches will want the job and money as they see it as the ultimate challenge. As AZ fan, I would like to settle on a coach quickly so we can start picking off recruits who get out of there LOI due to coaching changes.

Where are you reading the Memphis rumors at?

[flamesbball84]

Kentucky will outbid Arizona if they are interested in the same coach. That fan base is crazier than outhouse rats and they have lots of money.

About the only program that could realistically outbid Kentucky is OK St. and thats because of t. boone pickens, and that school doesn't care enough about basketball to do it. if the reports really are true that its going to come down to whoever offers the most money, there isnt a doubt in my mind that UK will put to shame what other schools are offering. however, as much as i like these reports, i'm not believing them until I hear something 100% official!

Is Kentucky worth it though? I mean they are looking like a train wreck right now. In the end, the really good, competitive coaches will want the job and money as they see it as the ultimate challenge. As AZ fan, I would like to settle on a coach quickly so we can start picking off recruits who get out of there LOI due to coaching changes.

Where are you reading the Memphis rumors at?

Problem with picking off recruits is that it's not that easy. Most of the time recruits wont be let out of their LOI until the new head coach is hired and meets with the new coach, which could range from taking forever to being a very quick process.

And the Memphis Commercial Appeal states:

multiple sources close to the Memphis program told The Commercial Appeal that athletic director R.C. Johnson has been working in recent weeks to secure funding for additional years and dollars to redo a contract that pays Calipari $2.35 million annually.

It it worth it? Kentucky has a very good recruiting class coming in that has one of the best centers in the class and the KY state player of the year in Jon Hood (most of the recruits will stay, and all will stay depending on the coach that is hired), and Meeks is likely to stay (because he is nowhere close to first round material right now), and Patterson has already said he is staying. the talent is there for next year to be a pretty good year as long as they dont screw up the hiring process. Everyone has a price, some may be too high, but if UK comes knocking on a coaches door offering 4-5 million or more its going to my mighty darn hard for any coach to turn that down...

[flamesbball84]

reports on the inter tubes is that Donovan is in Lexington, KY, today...