Opinions. Ok, I might as well go ahead and give mine on the coaching situation. Who the new one will be that is. This is purely my opinion and I’m sure TFGimel and Hefty Lefty have their own. My list is only three people, just to keep this simple. These aren’t the only people I would be happy with. If you have your own opinion please scroll down and vote in our poll and be sure to leave your comments as well. Here we go.
I think there are two guys you have to hear a no from before you move on. Billy Donovan and Rick Pitino. Decide which of those is your top guy and go after him first. That first choice may end up being Pitino because he is already at home and Donovan is unavailable until the tourney is over. If the job can be filled within a short period there is a better chance to land one or both of the recruits. I’ve taken opportunity to simulate how the converstaions between Mitch Barnhardt and those two guys may go. Enjoy.
Hey Billy, we’ve got this uh, new practice facility. I’m sure you’ve heard all about it, it’s got this new underwater treadmill and stuff. It’s pretty awesome. Uhh, it’s already been named the Joe Craft Center but I’m sure Mr. Craft wouldn’t mind if you wanted to go ahead and put your name on it. How does the Billy Donovan Center sound?
and Pitino,
Mr. Pitino sir, we’ve got this street on campus that used to be called Hal Mumme Boulevard, we’ve gone ahead and renamed it Rick Pitino Boulevard. Is there anything else that you might want? The boosters here gave me this blank check to bring along to give to you. Go ahead and fill that in with whatever you think is appropriate.
That’s pretty much the scale of what it would take to bring in either of those guys. That was the “Go Big” section of this post. Next you have the “Come Home” portion.
Travis Ford. I know, I know. It’s completely irrational. It makes no sense. He’s to young. He’s to inexperienced. He’s not ready. All probably true. BUT, Billy Donovan only coached at Marshall for TWO years before going to Florida. I just feel (damn you Kentucky pride, shakes fist) that rather than go after someone else and possibly end up with an Indiana situation where the choice of Kelvin Samson felt underwhelming you bring Ford in as a young guy and see what he can do.
Everyone pretty much agrees they would like to see Travis be the head coach at “some point” but just not yet. If you can’t land a big, known name give him the chance. How much time will the new guy have? Will they give him three, four, or five years to get to the final four? By that time, and yes this is pure Kentucky smugness and speculation on my part, Travis could already have “his Florida”. That’s what I think about it, I’d like to know your opinion.
I say this quite often and I’m sure I speak for the other guys on the site when I say we really do appreciate everyone that visits the site and leaves comments. It’s fun to read even when we don’t agree. As you would expect the end of this site is quickly approaching but we will surface somewhere else after the coaching dust settles. When that happens I’ll be sure to point to our new home if you would like to follow along. In the mean time be sure to keep checking in. Thanks! Go Cats!!
March 23rd, 2007 at 8:32 am
I agree. However, i was also thinking…what about Kevin Stallings from Vandy. He’s done incredible things at a school that doesn’t have and AD. Just a thought. I totally agree with you about Travis. I think everyone would be more apt to stay off his back if he doesn’t turn it around ASAP.
March 23rd, 2007 at 9:06 am
I couldn’t agree more with your rational! If we can’t land Donovan, I would rather have Ford over Few, Creen or even Izzo. I think giving a Ford a chance at building something special would really energize the fanbase and the program! None of the other “b-list” candidates have done enough to get me excited…just my opinion.
March 23rd, 2007 at 9:12 am
Just heard on the radio that Donovan/Plephrey (Asst) is a real possibility … he quoted ‘done deal’ … but that may be a little presumptuous.
March 23rd, 2007 at 9:42 am
While your top three picks are good choices, what about including John Calipari on the maybe list? His coaching style fits Kentucky and I’ll bet he could be convinced to come to UK.
March 23rd, 2007 at 9:49 am
He’s probably one of the better candidates coaching style and recruiting wise but I’m a little weary of his “issues” with violations in the past.
March 23rd, 2007 at 10:48 am
Pitino….Donavan……. HAHAHA!!!! You all are a trip why dont you put your white hood back in the closet so you can see things alittle better. You wont need it on now that Tubbys gone. I love Kentucky but you hillbilly douchbags give the university a bad name. Pitino will never come back as much as you wish you could be his Monica Lewinsky. Donavan, why come to Kentucky when he can stay at FL and beat our ass every year. I think Tom Crean is the best pick. Hes nothing like 10 loss tubby. He had 10 losses the last two years (Didnt get out of the first round either) and 11 losses the previous two. HAHAHA. Hipocrite dumb people!!! Just because he beat us one year with Wade while Boagins was injured dosnt prove a think. Good luck to us and now you will have to hate some other black man in the state!
March 23rd, 2007 at 11:25 am
Ford would be better than some (especially Mark Few), but I would prefer more experienced options: Calipari or Gillespie maybe. I think Bruce Pearl would bring tons of personality, energy, and an uptempo style - I don’t understand why he is not a serious candidate. Donovan would be ideal but he won’t come here.
March 23rd, 2007 at 11:28 am
First of all, Youallare dumb needs to get a life. I don’t think anybody in their right mind cares what color the coach is as long as he brings Kentucky back to where they rightfully belong….the top of college basketball. This race issue is dead, so get over it. The first two names that come to my mind are Donovan and Calipari. Donovan has done a lot at a football school in a short period of time. I think the only place he’d ever leave Florida for would be Kentucky. He’s sat on the bench in Rupp Arena. He knows what kind of support he would have. If he recruited as well as he has in Florida and continues to get better at the X’s and O’s, he could be god in Kentucky. The only drawback to him in my mind would be that the people of Kentucky would have to wonder about the NBA issue every year just as we did about Pitino. Donovan has never tasted the NBA and that may be something he might want to consider down the road….who knows. With that in mind, John Calipari has already been there, and done that. He too, is very well acquainted with Kentucky basketball and their tradition and I believe if given the chance, he would crawl to Lexington. He plays a style of ball that the fans would love and he’s proven to be an excellent recruiter. After that I would most definitely give Mr. Travis For the opportunity! I’ve followed Travis since he coached at Campbellsville, Eastern Kentucky and now UMASS. Travis is a home boy gone good! He has turned programs around at two different schools. And if Calipari would crawl to Lexington from Memphis, Travis Ford would surley crawl backwards on glass to coach the Cats! He knows first hand what it takes to win. He is a very hard worker, very intelligent and has proven that he can do the job and do it well. I don’t think you’d ever have to worry about Travis ever wanting to bolt to the NBA as long as he was at Kentucky. Whoever we get, lets make it fun again! Great job guys…..keep up the good work.
March 23rd, 2007 at 11:42 am
The ‘Clear’ choice is Donovan. Florida is already preparing for battle for him.
March 23rd, 2007 at 12:14 pm
The only duesche bag here is Youallaredumb, how can you dis wade aka kentucky killer…he was one of the best players in the nation that year and the bogans loss didnt really mean anything…bogans was never that good of a player
March 23rd, 2007 at 3:02 pm
It is fun to read all the differing opinions, but one thing I think most will agree to is that this is probably the biggest decision of Mitch Barnhardt’s career. And no matter who he decides on and actually gets, there will be criticism. This may be bigger than a Prsidential Election. Like many others, I think Billy Donovan would be a great fit and have thought he could very well be the eventual succesor since the time he first went to Florida. But as others have said, it will be hard to see why he would leave his situation in Florida. He has the great weather, he has built a top flight program and he doesn’t have to worry about those 500 fans who followed him to New Orleans making waves enough to ever cause him a problem. It’s football country, and that’s nice that they got a National Championship the same year as one in Football. But to their fans, basketball is still something to do until Spring Football Practice. Billy D has it made, so unless his ego forces him to take on the challenge of putting the Cats back on top, we may never get him. In that event, I would be interested in seeing Bruce Pearl come to Lexington. I have seen him coach since he was at USI in Evansville. He has most of the qualities I see people on the chat lines clamoring for. He can recruit, he coaches the up tempo, pressing style we love, he relates to kids, and he has a magnetic personality that can take on the big stage. Sure he grates on some people’s nerves, but he has a way of winning a lot of those people over. And one more thing-is he ever intense. He is one of those that would rather win than eat or sleep. In my opinion UK should take a look at him. As far as Travis Ford is concerned, he worries me. I have known his Dad for years and when you get Travis, you get Eddie and that is not a good thing. Also, Travis getting a DUI is a concern. I am not sure the image he would project is one UK needs to get into. As Digger Phelps said, UK is a special program ( surprised me Digger was so kind when Dickie V ripped us) and that merits a special coach. Here’s hoping Barnhardt makes the right choice.
March 23rd, 2007 at 6:20 pm
I agree I love Bruce Peral and I also hate the Big Orange would Love to still there thunder frome theme lol . I have people in my family who are Ut alumnie I always get ripped becuse I tell theme Bruce Pearl Will soumday be coach at Kentucky I hope it happens
March 23rd, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Youarealldumb doesn’t seem to understand that being a bigot is not a matter of color, its a state of mind. He/she sure sounds like a bigot to me!!
March 23rd, 2007 at 8:50 pm
PS: Billy ain’t coming and Rick is not wanted. Travis is not ready yet. Any other ideas??
March 24th, 2007 at 4:23 am
I agree with going after Billy Donovan first. But in reality I don’t think we could get him. Can’t compete with Floridas football bucks and sunshine. I would love to get a young Travis Ford over anybody. He’s going to be real big one day, so let that day be at Kentucky. He’s a winner and has proved it every where he’s gone. And the fan base would be behind him because of his history with Kentucky. Capilari has too many issues, can’t stand Tom Crean, Bruce Pearl is a joke on and off the court, Pitino retired from basketball and moved to louisville,(don’t want him anyway), Mark Few is too up and down. Tom Izzo would be the best choice after Travis Ford. But no matter who comes, they will be scrutinized and put under pressure to turn it around in 2-3 years. And after the mess Tubby left, it may take a few years to get back on top. But we will make it. GO BIG BLUE!!!!
March 24th, 2007 at 4:32 am
I’ll throw one more name out there. It may be wishful thinking but why not go after Pat Riley. I could see him getting out of the NBA to coach his alma mater. Just a thought.
March 24th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Pat Riley would be a great choice 10 years ago!!!! Hes on the verge of retiring from Miami. Isn’t he like 70 something. Plus, we would just have to look for another coach in two or three more years because he wouldnt be around long.
PS. Im starting the chant, Bruce Pearl is a choaker. SEC tourny 2 years in a row and NCAA tourny 2 years in a row. He cant win the big game but he sure paints a good T on a hairy chest!
March 24th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Actually Pat Riley just celebrated his 62nd birthday a few days ago!
March 24th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Well I’m pleased with the departure of Tubby. I agree that race is not the issue here, for me at least, I’m sure that there are some that think differently. My short list in this order are; billy donovan, John calipari, and one I haven’t seen mentioned…….. Rick stansbury at Miss. St. All he has done is win under the toughest of circumstances at Miss. St. He is also very familiar with this area and knows what Basketball means to the U.K. fan base. Player recruitment and developement is a must and I know my first two choices can get it done here. Also, please leave Rick Pitino right were he is they deserve each other.
March 24th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
What about Greg Marshall. He’s had little bitty Winthrop in the tourney 7 out of the last 9 years. Oh and they beat a pretty good Notre Dame team this year. He’s also young enough to be around a while…….just thought I’d throw that out there and see what people think.
March 25th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
youallaredumb is a complete idiot. and i do believe we have a chance of getting billy donovan. If you think about it his dream job is UK and all of his starters and star players are leaving this year so he would have to pretty much start over at florida which is a big name football school and so why would he start over at florida when he could start over at kentucky which is a big name basketball school with rich tradition and a strong fan base.
March 25th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
I agree that Donovan and Pitno should be pestered until they say no. I think either would consider it, but Donovan would likely be the one to come. I think Donovan would love to come to the school that made his teacher, Pitino, and try to carve out an even greater legacy. I’m sure Billy the Kid picked up more than coaching skills from Ricky, I am also sure he learned that there is nothing wrong with a big ego. Besides all that, this is THE job in college basketball. Another thing is that Florida will always be a football school. UK will be abe to cater more to Donovan and his needs because, let’s face it, UK football is NOT Florida football.
I think that if this happened last year there would be a greater chance of landing Pitino, but he has a solid team coming back and I bet he would love to build Louisville up to UK standards. His ego is huge and he has already been there and done that. But if he could do what he did at UK at U of L he would be a god.
Beyond that, my criteria for a new coach would be a more uptempo style of play. We definitely need someone who can recruit. I also think we need someone who has been there befroe, meaning at least a Final Four or a title. I think it would be hard for a Travis Ford type to come into Kentucky and be expected to take the Wildcats back to the promised land if he has never sniffed it in his career. There is no doubt Travis Ford understands the pressure and the things required, but he will be in uncharted waters.
Maybe in another 10 years, Ford or Pelphrey will be ready, but not now.
March 25th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Pitino? Donovan? Get real. John Schnatter will pay any money necessary to keep Rickat Louisville. Florida will pay any money necessary to keep Billy D. And do you really want to take the risk of hiring a guy who’s had NCAA problems, like Calipari?
The way Tubby was run out of Lexington on a rail will not, and is not, going over well with his fellow coaches. It’s not going to make finding the level of coach UK fans expect (read that ‘must win now and always’) easy. And UK has the money to take a coach from a smaller school, like Marquette or Memphis, but lots of schools are willing to pay the level of money only the Kentuckys used to pay basketball coaches.
I predict it’ll be Crean, or the coach from Oregon. Frankly, I think Travis Ford is the smarter choice. He is still learning, but an aggressive young guy like him can inspire good talent to come to UK, and if the fans can let him have a couple of years of OJT, as Duke did with K, you might have a long-term guy. In any case, get used to losing, ’cause you’re going to have a couple of down years after this.
Randolph Morris? To the NBA? Riiiggghhhhht. The Knicks deserve him. Just the guy they need to keep the pine nice and warm, and drive Isaih Thomas to Zoloft. Only thing Morris could ever do was foul.
March 27th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Donovan would be nice - but I think he might want to be the Knicks coach eventually. Calapari’s teams have an IQ of about 10. They are basically retarded.
If Billy the Kid fronts UK - go get Bruce Pearl. Although you have to question anyone that tan in Tennessee in the winter, he’s got the “it” factor. I might even put Pearl ahead of Donovan.
It takes a big ego to want to coach at UK.
March 29th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
First of all to the ones mentioning the Pitino name, Snap out of it! why on God’s green earth would you want him back? Hello, do you not remember that not only did he leave us for the Pro’s but he gave us TUBBY! saying Donvan was too young and inexperienced. Well look at Donovan now, and Tubby? well he still coaches on a Tulane level. I want Travis Ford he is the Billy Donavan of the near future. Forget Pearl, Calapari, Crean and whoever else has been brought up let’s go with a winner this time and give Travis time to mold us back into the team we once were.I don’t think he would be wanting to leave for the NBA which I think Donovan would be,just like his mentor Pitino ,every other day there would be rumors of him to this pro program or that one and I for one got sick of that when Pitino was here. One more thing, What has Travis’s father got to do with anything? and the DUI? Well who hasn’t made a mistake before?. Pat Riley is who I vote for to be new AD, but last thing I heard regarding Mr Riley he wouldn’t even speak to anyone from Ky I guess he think’s he’s better than us now.
Thanks Marilyn