With Tubby Smith gone, there's a huge vacuum ready to be filled by the next man who believes he can do the job. Who will take their place among Kentucky basketball tradition?
I doubt Rick Pitino will come back. Billy Donovan is enjoying his success at Florida. Maybe Bill Self will be lured by a large contract.
2007-03-22 13:45:54 · 9 answers · asked by Justin 4 in Sports ➔ Basketball
well pitino has made his announcement that he is not interested in coming back to uk but would not comment on donovan....rumor is donovan has made an offer on tubbys house in lexington and tubby has accepted....i just hope this rumor is true
2007-03-26 11:44:27 · answer #1 · answered by ltuckerm 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, as a Kentucky fan, I can tell you that nobody wants Pitino back. He's officially tainted. Any Kentucky fan that says they want him back....isn't a Kentucky fan.
With that being said, Kentucky has the money to push and Donovan hasn't signed a new contract with Florida because he wants more money that apparently they're not willing to give. He's got the Kentucky ties and he'd still be in the SEC. It's far-fetched, but anything is possible.
Logically though, sources here in Kentucky have said that there are a handful of guys up for the job. Tom Crean (Marquette), Billy Gillespie (Texas A&M), and John Calipari (Memphis) are just to name a few. Mark Mays from CatsPause (the official sports newspaper of the Kentucky Wildcats) also said that they could ask to talk to Tom Izzo (Michigan State) or Rick Barnes (Texas). Fan favorites Travis Ford (UMass) and John Pelphrey (South Alabama) are long shots because of their inexperience despite being key Kentucky players on winning teams. I think in all their best shot would be either Tom Crean or Billy Gillespie.
2007-03-22 20:56:03 · answer #2 · answered by sweetie_tdp 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Saul Smith.........No, really, to the one who said a real fan doesn't want Pitino back and that no real fan does.......BS! Fan's don't like Pitino because he is coaching for Louisville our rival. If he came back, 99% off the fans would love it. And, if anyone disagrees with this, they are just talking crap. Gurantee they would be happy in the end of Pitino came back. He already has had Louisville in the final four. Kentucky will talk to Donavan and Pitino first. If they show no interest, they will then seek one of these other coaches like Izzo, Few, Crean, Barnes, or Gillespie. Oh, and you who said Daughtery, what are you smoking??????
2007-03-22 21:13:42 · answer #3 · answered by kycreecher 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This may sound like a rediculous choice, but I would say Matt Daugherty.
He has the connections to bring in high recruits, he would jump at the chance to get back to D1 big name school, and I would bet he has learned a great deal from his lack of leadership with the Heels when he was coach...and would do anything to ensure it didnt happen again.
Look at the recruits he brought in though..they won the NCAA title with his recruits.
Not taking anything from Roy Williams though..he is the greatest.
2007-03-22 20:54:00 · answer #4 · answered by parrothead 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John Calipari. Kentucky needs someone who's going to come in and pick up and take over. They need a solid recruiting coach. Someone who can work on getting them back up on their feet instead of setting them back a few years.
2007-03-24 16:04:58 · answer #5 · answered by Jut_Davis 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know its a long list but one from here:
John Calipari- Memphis
Pat Riley-Miami Heat
Rick Pitino-Louisville (god i hope not)
Billy Donovan-Florida (god i hope so)
Tom Izzo- Mich St
Rick Barnes-Texas
Tom Crean-Marquette
Bill Gillepsie-Texas A&M
Mark Few-Gonzaga
alot of future hall of famers on that list and i guaruntee if UK got one of them they would be among the nations elite again.
2007-03-22 20:57:44 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree with Sweetie.....
UK does not even want to waste a breath on RP. I wouldn't want him back if you paid me a million dollars.
2007-03-22 21:43:01 · answer #7 · answered by Lora E 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about John Wooden, after all he has more titles then anyone and is available.
2007-03-22 21:04:16 · answer #8 · answered by whodey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i hope someone really good, they pay up to 6 mil a year
2007-03-22 21:39:49 · answer #9 · answered by adrienne_bliss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋