The Big Blue Nation: The Kentucky Wildcats Thread

Calipari looks like he's set. I don't see him going anywhere.

It's widely speculated here that Donovan is using Kentucky to get more money from Florida. I can see that. It's all but certain that if he refuses to deny interest, an unprecedented bidding war will erupt. Both schools have tons of cash, so it all depends on whether he's happy with the Florida program.

 

Who wants to bet that whereever he ends up after this season, Donovan is at the least in the top 3 among college coaches in salary, and most likely on top that list?

 

Oh, no question. He's positioned perfectly right now. He can do whatever he wants, and whether he leaves or stays at Florida, he will be THE highest paid coach in College Basketball period.

Izzo might leave Michigan State to come here. He's the only other guy on the list with the personality for the job in my opinion.

 

I think Kentucky would love to have Izzo... I just don't think Izzo will go anywhere, Kentucky or otherwise.

 

As a MSU alum Izzo won't go to another college. Maybe Pro, but not another University. Life is too good in East Lansing and he has things set for some serious runs in the tournament over the next couple of years.

 

I know Donovan has a good thing going at Florida, but Florida will always been a football school. If Donovan opts for the Kentucky job, assuming it's his for the taking, then he will become a god in the Big Blue Nation.

 

You're right about that. Not only would he be a God, the honeymoon period would be about what it was for Pitino when got here after sanctions. As long as he plays an uptempo style next year, even if he loses ten games (and he probably will given what's coming back) fans won't be upset.

They will, however, expect the new coach to be in the Final Four in five years, I gaurantee it.

 

Just for a laugh, visit the Kentucky Message Boards. These people are absolutely about to explode with anticipation.

http://kentucky.rivals.com/forum.asp?sid=888&fid=1383&style=2

 

My roommate was looking at that site shortly after the news of Tubby's leaving broke, to see who the UK fans were talking about as replacements... the number of people on there at the time was huge. Still a pretty fair number on now, but nothing compared to then.

 

I've seen it at six thousand before. Unbelievable. The passion is amazing.

But so is the crazy sometimes.

 

When Tubby was fired, I headed over to Catspause to see the amusing reactions. They had 13,000 people on there when I checked. Could not believe that. The amount of ridiculous threads on their Rivals site right now about Billy Donovan and "done deal" posts makes me wonder about that school. (No offense, obviously not all of their grads/students are that fanatical/delusional.)

Donovan is not going anywhere. It was a stroke of genius for him not to renegotiate or extend his contract after last season.

He's already a god here, whether he wins or loses, to pretty much every student on this campus. He's brought us to 9 straight NCAA berths and 3 Final Fours in his 11 years here. He IS Florida basketball. The alumni are still getting warmed up this whole "basketball" thing, but they will come around. When/if he starts losing at UK, he'd be thrown to the dogs. Who wants that?

 

The thing nobody takes into account about the "pressure" (and it is there) is that no coach goes into a situation thinking they are going to lose. That whole "I could get thrown to the dogs if I lose" thing is really irrelevant to a person with the egos that coaches have. So I don't think that has much to do with it.

I don't expect him to say yes, but that's because I think he wants to try and solidify his own program. However, if he did come to Kentucky and win, he could potentially cement a place among college basketball legends, which is something he will struggle to do at Florida. If you don't believe me just think about this: Rick Pitino is seen as one of the best coaches in the game still. Why is that? He went to three Fina Fours and won a title at Kentucky. Billy Donovan has now done the same thing, but he will not be given as much credit as Pitino, unless of course he repeats.

The potential for a legacy like that along with the crazy fan support that he will never get at Florida (even at Tubby's worst Rupp Arena sold out every game) are reasons why he will at least look at the job.

 

According to an ESPN report, Kentucky to offer Billy Donovan 2.8 million per year with incentives that could make it 3.5 million per year. The offer will be made after Florida either loses on Saturday or after the National Title game on Monday. No word from Billy Donovan as to his possible reply.

Also, Billy Gillespe was supposed to have signed a contract extension with Texas A&M that would have made him the highest paid coach in the Big 12. According to a San Antonio newspaper, he backed out at the last minute to keep his options open. According to the article, the other "option" he is looking at is the Kentucky job if Donovan declines.

Personally, I'm happy with either of these guys. Billy D. has a National Title (possibly two) and Gillespe is a miracle worker from Texas. I would feel slightly sorry for the Aggies if we take their coach, though. I have much less sympathy for the Gator Nation.

 

It just shows you that major programs in the SEC do not tolerate mediocre seasons and are willing to put out the big cash when necessary

 

Damn straight, Rohn!

Billy D. said today in a press conference that he would have to talk to his family about the Kentucky job. That means he has been offered, and he hasn't said no. The drama continues.

 

It appears that Billy the Kid will indeed stay in Gainesville. And I was looking forward to using the phrase "Fear the Peak!" in reference to Donovan's Widow's Peak. So, where does Kentucky go from here? Billy Gillespe is on the list, as is Rick Barnes. Mark Few and John Calipari have to be mentioned, but I'm not sure how seriously.

As for me, I think my choice would be John Pelphrey. I know he doesn't have a ton of coaching experience, but here is what he does have: passion for the program and a singularly unique perspective on what it means to be a Wildcat. As part of the class of 92, he was one of the four Kentucky-born seniors who stayed during probation and brought the program back from the brink of death. Part of that class, dubbed The Unforgettables (with his jersey in the rafters), he was on the floor in the final seconds of the Duke game in 92, and has had some success coaching. He would bring a passion to the program that has been sorely lacking in recent years, and I for one would be glad to have him.

But I'll have to wait like everyone else to see just who will lead the Big Blue Nation.

 

Rick Barnes would destroy Kentucky basketball. He's a terrible coach.

 

The two names that keep coming up among the fanbase are Billy Gillespe and John Caliapri. I would be ecstatic with either man. But, Barnes is a good friend of our Athletics Director. I have a feeling you are right, and if that proves to be the case, our AD will not be long for his job.

 

Well, it looks like the search may be over. This was a busy day, and it ends with news that Texas A&M Coach Billy Gillespe will be the new Kentucky basketball head coach. If true, this is a great hire. More on this developing story later.

 

I really believe that UK got a great coach in Gillespie. He's a prodigy.

 

And Gillispie it is! Billy G. agrees to come to Kentucky for 2.3 million over seven years. Four hours after the announcement, a pep rally was held in Memorial Colusiem (which I attended) to welcome the new coach, at which time thousands came. I cannot remember the last time this fanbase was this happy. Probably after the 96 title. But I swear, it's close. Finally, we got a coach as nuts as we are!

Seriously, we are happy to have him, and he is ecstatic to be here. A word to Texas A&M, though. Hire John Pelphrey today. That's the best thing you can do. We took from you, it's only fair that we give back. I wish the Aggie program success in the future.

 

Wow! What a three month whirlwind it's been for Cat fans! Gillispie is tireless. I'm convinced the man doesn't sleep. He has already signed five blue chippers with more interested and possibly on the way. We aren't used to this here in Wildcat Country, at least not since the days of Rick Pitino. I think it's safe to say that we have the right man for the job. At least for now.

In other news, the football season should be exciting this year, as All-SEC quarterback Andre Woodson leads our football Cats into a monstrous schedule. The Game of the Year could be against Louisville, when the consensus best QB in the nation in Brian Brohm squares off against the second best in the nation per many analyst in Woodson. All I can say is hold on, this could get interesting!