LEXINGTON, Ky. — Billy Gillispie thought winning at Kentucky would be enough, that adding a Final Four banner to the rafters at Rupp Arena would endear him to one of college basketball’s most ardent fan bases more than any handshake, autograph or toothy grin ever could.
He won, but not enough. He shook hands, but not enough.
After just two years, Kentucky had had enough.
The school fired Gillispie on Friday, citing philosophical differences between the hard-scrabble coach and an administration that views its head coaching position as more than just another job.
“There is a clear gap in how the rules and responsibilities overseeing the program are viewed,” said athletic director Mitch Barnhart. “It is a gap I do not believe can be solved by just winning games.”
Losing too many games during Gillispie’s brief two-year tenure certainly didn’t help.
The Wildcats went 40-27 under Gillispie, including a 22-14 mark this year that tied for the second-most in the program’s 106-year history and forced them to miss the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991.
After enduring a rocky 18-13 season in 2007-08, the Wildcats appeared to have turned a corner.
Kentucky roared to a 5-0 start in the SEC behind the play of star Jodie Meeks, who poured in a school-record 54 points in a victory over Tennessee in January.
Things started to unravel shortly thereafter. Kentucky dropped eight of its final 11 regular season games, including a deflating home loss to woeful Georgia on Senior Night. The Wildcats couldn’t make it out of the SEC tournament quarterfinals, relegating them to the National Invitation Tournament for the first time in 30 years.
The Wildcats fought valiantly in the NIT, edging UNLV at Memorial Coliseum, the same place where a pep rally was held on the day of Gillispie’s hiring two years ago. A victory at Creighton followed, and Kentucky hung tough with Notre Dame until the final moments.
He admitted on his radio show Thursday that winning 40 games in two years is good at a lot of places. Those places, however, aren’t Kentucky.
“A lot of teams would be happy with 22 (wins) but not always around here when it’s not the right 22,” Gillispie said.
In a state where basketball is religion and its most successful coaches and players are treated with reverence long after they’ve moved on, Gillispie could never quite fit in.
“This is a complete job that requires a lot more than just coaching and recruiting,” university president Lee T. Todd Jr. Todd said.
Gillispie signed a memorandum of understanding in Barnhart’s house following a whirlwind courtship that lasted less than a day. Yet he never signed a formal contract as his lawyer and the university fought over the wording.
In the end, that decision may end up costing him millions. Barnhart said the university did not plan to pay Gillispie a $6 million buyout that was to be part of his seven-year deal that remains unsigned.
“Suffice it to say it will be less than that,” Barnhart said.
Barnhart said the school would abide by the memorandum of understanding, but he considers it to be a year-to-year contract. Gillispie made $2.3 million annually.
Even as the program suffered embarrassing losses to schools like Gardner-Webb and VMI, Gillispie stubbornly refused to change his coaching strategy. And he continued to hold draining two-hour practices on game day, a move Gillispie said was designed to toughen the players up but sometimes left them spent at the end of close contests.
It’s unclear which players will stick around for another rebuilding effort.
Meeks has been noncommittal about his future, though forward Patrick Patterson said on Wednesday he plans on sticking around for his junior season. Gillispie inked two high-profile signees, center Daniel Orton and forward Jon Hood, though they would have options to go elsewhere if they choose.
The Wildcats also have a number of options at coach, so long as they’re not set on Florida coach Billy Donovan.
Kentucky actively pursued Donovan two years ago before Donovan decided to stay with the Gators. He said he isn’t going anywhere this time either.
“In response to the rumors circulating about my interest in other jobs, I wanted to address this as quickly as possible,” Donovan said in a statement. “I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here.”
Other candidates could include Memphis coach John Calipari, Oklahoma State coach and former Kentucky star Travis Ford, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and Louisville coach Rick Pitino.
Pitino remains beloved across much of the state more than a decade after leaving the Wildcats for the NBA. He angered some when he decided to coach arch rival Louisville, though his eight years in Lexington are still considered among the best in the program’s long history.
Gillispie’s may be remembered as something entirely different, a two-year mistake for a coach and a program ill-suited for one another.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 96
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
Another drunk skinny dipping incident in a Lexington hotel pool? Hey UK, Larry Eustachy is available.
LAVol writes:
Bye bye Billy G!!! Here comes Billy D!!! Sorry Gatorzzzzz
memphis_vol_fan writes:
Wow!! Two years and the guy gets booted. I wonder if they wished they hadn't fired Tubby?
volnbig11land writes:
how is the mood over there?
bigrob writes:
Good. Maybe we can beat kentucky every year now!
DooleyNoted writes:
I hope CBP has better results with their new coach.
VolFanNC writes:
Rumor has it shortlist is Billy D number 1, Calipari number 2. Will probably go after proven big name coaches first and not take a chance on on a small school coach. I do get worried about them going after CBP.
Calipari and Billy D will certainly be helpful to us in recruiting. Losing Cal will help us in recruiting in Memphis and Billy D will change the dynamic in FL.
Don't think Cal would leave memphis as it is a clean shot to a high tourney seed every year and he doesn't have to travel anywhere to recruit.
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
Please KY get Billy D! then Pearl could own KY too!
bigrob writes:
No short list. Billy the kid is resigning from florida. Its a done deal
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
Mitch Barnhart ought to fire himself for getting Gillespie in the first place! Maybe Sean Sutton wasn't available then.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
bye!
VolFanNC writes:
Interesting. I think crazy gators (gatorz2121 and DC) are probably crying after guaranteeing FL getting back on top in BBall. Wonder if we can poach one or two of their recruits like Kenny Boynton?
thevoice writes:
Welcome back to Lexington Mr. Travis Ford.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
They're trying to pump themselves up for football season. ;)
volwalk writes:
What is KY going to do with all those eighth graders that Gillispie recruited? (seriously)
99gator writes:
word round the campfire is that donovan will say yes or no quickly.
anthony grant has been offered the bama job and is delaying a decision based on this whole fiasco.
if grant does not take the bama job, it means the new head basketball coach at ky is billy donovan and the new coach at florida is anthony grant.
alabama would have to continue its search
PeayPride writes:
My sources told me that Billy G is walking away $6 million richer. If he complains KY will drop it down to $2 million.
I dont believe Billy D will go to KY. He is making more money off his basketball camps than he is on his contract.
Calipari will be a reach. Dont get mad Memphis fans. People say he doesnt always abide by the NCAA rules.
Travis Ford will be the next coach. Was a winner at Eastern Kentucky (my graduate school) was a winner at UMASS, and a winner at Ok State. Plus, he is a product of KY.
ZALWEED writes:
NO chance!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
wonder about all those junior high kids....guess they are jsut verbal recruits, not signed, eh???
man oh man, to get 6 firggin' million bucks for not even doing a decent job....how do you get such a gig??
think I'll apply for thr UK job I can:
-get drunk
-cahse hot chicks
-coach a little ball
-lie to recruits
-get pissed during games
-did I mention chase hot chicks???
-give a decent sound bite
hell yeah, I can do this gig!!
Ironcity writes:
Really I think its pretty sad that a coach only gets two years to make it work.
Not saying Billy G was worth a lick, but the only reason coach should be fired after two years is if he puts you on probation or is going to put you on probation.
I will say this, whatever his flaws were, he could be us.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
From Co-SEC coach of the year to being put out on his azz...no love these days.
tennisvol writes:
No recession in Wildcat country.
99gator writes:
bones say no on calipari. bones say ky see probation when eddie sutton in town. bones say ky scared go on probation again.
BigOrangeHustler writes:
I think the better headline would be, "Oklahoma State in Search of New Coach".
Travis Ford will get this job.
TonyGeist writes:
Calipari won't leave Memphis. Sure, the SEC may not be top-notch but it's not the cakewalk that is Conference USA. And one of the higher-ups that got him at trouble at UMass is now with Kentucky.
volnbig11land writes:
hahaha, now that was funny!
I tried to root for them since their from the motherland, but their fans make it very hard to do so!
gohawks1 writes:
So will KY still honor the scholarship offer to the 14 yr old? That boy will be very upset if he has to give back the bicycle he received as a signing bonus.
10ECDave writes:
Also heard Michigan State's Tom Izzo is on the list.
Volchaz writes:
Let the dominoes begin to fall.
Sounds like alot of teams are in transition..
Glad its not us..perhaps we can steal some recruits due to this...
PeayPride writes:
He hasnt even signed his contract. Because KY wants him to quit partying and be an ambassador for the state and university. And he doesnt want to do that. They even hired a designated driver for him.
That is one reason they are getting rid of him.
memphis_vol_fan writes:
I agree this could be a win-win situation for us.
But, everyone seems to be forgetting about Bob Knight. We all know he said that he would coach again.
I'd shart my pants if UK hired him.
10ECDave writes:
Maybe they can get Ashely JuDD to coach. I bet should could help keep their recruits.
rocky_topper writes:
calipari will not come to the SEC and leave his inept conference! he knows better!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Fare thee well, millionaire.
Not much blustering from the Bluff City Boys today!
rocky_topper writes:
This soap opera is gonna be fun to sit back and watch!!!!
10ECDave writes:
I meant she could help keep the recruits.
Volchaz writes:
I didn't think about The General coming back. Stranger things have happened.. even the bear coached there. Barnhart likes old coaches too..look at the football coach...
volwalk writes:
Hopefully, we can get a point guard and shooting guard out of this mess. After watching Missouri last night, it showed me once again how much I miss Bruce Pearl's "controlled chaos." MAN, I hope we see it again, next season--with the length and atheletes--hopefully find and/or develope some shooters--we will be unstoppable, next season.
BRUCE....PLEASE bring back the "controlled chaos."
10ECDave writes:
I keep hearing that the General wants to coach at Georgia (He does have all those red sweaters). I'd love to see him throw a few chairs around and crack a whip or two!
hookkick writes:
Wonder who is getting the Florida job? How about the dude they just fired from Georgia? Great fit. Or was it Bama.
Either will do.
Volumnus writes:
WD must have been up all night drinking JUJU Bean Tea!!! WD very smart today, Calapari is a sure fire shot! Rumor is Tiger Fans holding lottery at the pyramid tonight to see who gets to jump off the bridge first! Big time party in Rib City! Go Kittys Go!!! Can you imagine Tigerland without coach CAL??? LOL!!!!
baldfan writes:
The Doc is right!
baldfan writes:
Where is Hoops 22? Did he run his mouth so much that he can type???
Volunatic writes:
I won't miss him. He was 3-1 vs Tennessee.
govols26 writes:
What happens to all those nine-year-olds who were promised scholarships...do they stay a wildcat even without Billy G? Decisions, decisions...
99gator writes:
FWIW, donovan just released a statement saying that he is staying at florida and has no interest in any positions that may become available.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
I have heard the naive Kentucky fans saying they want Calipari. John Calipari would be an idiot to leave Memphis, you're assured of the NCAA tourney every year since the rest of your conference sucks, you're the king of Memphis since they aren't good at any other sports, and the fans there like him. Not to mention you could walk to your recruiting visits. Calipari would be an idiot to go to Kentucky. Donovan... he might think about it since Urban Meyer is stealing his thunder, but I don't know how much Kentucky wants him. They dropped Gillespie after a season that went no better than Florida's, and Florida has better talent right now. So if you take him and put him on a team with lesser talent, hypothetically he should produce less results. Just a thought. I know they want a big name, but I don't know a big name that would go there. Someone said Bobby Knight, I doubt Knight comes out of retirement. I really think the next coach will be John Ford off of Oklahoma State. He won't headline their "A" list, but I don't think they'll get an "A" lister to come.
jlm69 writes:
Unless something else comes out later, he deserved another year. He must have really rubbed somebody the wrong way! Here's a shot out to... oops I meant shoUT out to Billy G as he packs and collects his $6,000,000 buyout.
huntined#565710 writes:
GATORSPORTS just reported Billy D going to stay at FLA.
I don't blame him.. KY too hard on coaches and that will be a rebuilding team and will take 3-4 years..
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
I think more than likely, the setup looks like this....
Kentucky's "A" list of wants
1.) John Calipari
2.) Billy Donovan
3.) Bruce Pearl
4.) Rick Pitino
5.) Tom Izzo
Kentucky's "B" list
1.) Bobby Knight
2.) John Ford
3.) Mark Few
4.) Mike Anderson
That's not official, but all are names I've heard mentioned by the fan base.
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