Posted: March-27-2009 at 10:46pm | IP Logged	Tweet

Situations like what has occured in Lexington just really ticks me off with today's scope of collegiate athletics. A combination of boosters and fans is why Billy Gillispie's no longer coach of the Kentucky Wildcats.

It happened last fall in Knoxville, a good man, Philip Fulmer, was railroaded from his position as head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers ... by disgruntled boosters and overzealous fans.

I will NEVER stop at a Pilot convenience store or travel center unless I'm on dang fumes and then I will only purchase a couple of gallons of gas to get me to another location so I can fill up. The Haslam family was big-time behind getting rid of Coach Fulmer. What's his name, Bill Haslam, the mayor of Knoxville who's running for governor of Tennessee. I'll vote for Dan the dog-catcher before I would Haslam. With his family's wealth, he's trying to buy his way into the governor's mansion.

If you don't believe what I said about stopping at a Pilot, just ask both of my sisters. Last weekend we traveled from Johnson City down to outside of Cookeville for our grandmother's 94th birthday celebration, and Sissy got off at Strawberry Plains exit and was heading into the Pilot for us to get gas. I told her I would not pay one dime for any gas bought at Pilot. I told both of my sisters why, too.

Posted: March-27-2009 at 10:50pm | IP Logged	Tweet

Robbie Henry wrote: If they're smart they will hire Travis Ford, he's done a great job at Oklahoma State.

Hey Robbie, tonight while watching the Sweet Sixteen games I was talking with a buddy of mine. While talking about Kentucky getting rid of Gillispie, I told him I can see a biddin' war between T. Boone Pickens and the Wildcat boosters for the services of Travis Ford.

Really, though, I don't believe money will matter to Ford. He will do whatever it takes to come back home to Kentucky. I really believe that.

He did a good job coaching UMass and he led Oklahoma State into the Big Dance this year. And I believe his next job will be coaching from the sidelines in Rupp Arena.

Posted: March-27-2009 at 11:04pm | IP Logged	Tweet

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090328/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkc_kentucky_gillispie_out_8

By WILL GRAVES, AP Sports Writer

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Impatient for a winner, Kentucky fired Billy Gillispie as coach Friday after just two years, too many losses and too little appreciation for all the things that come with running college basketball's all-time winningest program. Saying the Wildcats deserve a leader who understands "this is not just another coaching job," athletic director Mitch Barnhart and president Lee Todd made the unusual decision to dismiss Gillispie less than two years after he was hired to replace Tubby Smith.

"He's a good basketball coach," Barnhart said. "Sometimes it's just not the right fit and that's my responsibility."

It's a move Barnhart felt was necessary following a couple of turbulent seasons in which the Wildcats struggled to improve under their hard-working but sometimes aloof head coach.

Hired to rejuvenate a program after Smith bolted for Minnesota, Gillispie struggled to find any consistency on the court or off it.

Gillispie went 40-27 in two seasons with the Wildcats, including a 22-14 mark this year that tied for the second-most losses in the program's 106-year history. A stumble down the stretch left the Wildcats out of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991.

Yet Gillispie's problem went beyond wins and losses.

Barnhart said rebuilding years are expected when a new coach is hired. The trouble were "philosophical differences" between the university and Gillispie on the role the school's coach plays in the fabric of a fan base that refers to itself as Big Blue Nation.

"There is a clear difference in how the rules and responsibilities of overseeing the program are viewed," Barnhart said. "It is a gap that I do not believe can be solved just by winning games. It is a philosophical disparity that I do not think can be repaired when the chemistry is just not right."

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 was never signed.

"Suffice it to say it will be less than that," Barnhart said.

Gillispie agreed to a memorandum of understanding on the day he was hired in April, 2007. A deal appeared to be a formality, but neither side could come to terms. In the end, the absence of a formal contract may have cost Gillispie a substantial buyout. 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.

Beyond the money, however, was Gillispie's seeming inability to ingratiate himself to the fans. He could be gruff with the media and stubbornly refused to change his coaching strategy even as the program suffered embarrassing losses to schools like Gardner-Webb and VMI.

The team 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.

What happened on the court, however, wasn't the only problem said Todd.

"This is a complete job that requires a lot more than just coaching and recruiting," Todd said.

And it seems it won't be Florida coach Billy Donovan who replaces him.

"In response to the rumors circulating about my interest in other jobs, I wanted to address this as quickly as possible," he said in a statement. "I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here."

Gillispie's job appeared to be in jeopardy after the Wildcats stumbled down the stretch, losing eight of their final 11 regular season games to squander a perfect 5-0 start in Southeastern Conference play. A quarterfinal loss to LSU in the SEC tournament followed, relegating Kentucky to the National Invitation Tournament.

Barnhart said the problem wasn't Gillispie's won-loss record but his seeming refusal to do the other things associated with being the head coach at the state's flagship institution.

"(Gillispie) spoke to things that were not in his job description, just about winning and losing and improving," Barnhart said. "This program is bigger than that. There's much more to it than that."

Gillispie met with players Friday afternoon but did not address reporters as he walked to a vehicle outside the player dormitories.

Gillispie appeared to sense a change could be forthcoming. When asked if he expected to be back following at season-ending loss to Notre Dame on Wednesday, Gillispie said the decision wasn't up to him.

"You're asking the wrong guy," he said. "All I know is to go to work, recruit, coach and that's what I did, that's what I've done and that's what I'll continue to do."

Gillispie arrived at Kentucky with great fanfare to replace Smith two years ago. Hundreds of supporters crowded the floor of Memorial Coliseum during a pep rally — one with a sign that read "Billy G: Our Savior" — following a whirlwind negotiation that was sealed in the middle of the night at Barnhart's house.

The coach who engineered turnarounds at UTEP and Texas A&M was heralded by one of college basketball's most ardent fan bases, who were won over by Gillispie's notorious work ethic and homespun demeanor.

Gillispie said at the time he knew what he was getting into. How could he not? The practice floor at the Joe Craft Center where he held his introductory press conference was lined with banners highlighting Kentucky's seven national titles.

"I like expectations," he said that day. "My most favorite year (at Texas A&M) was (2007) when we had pressure. And that expectation, it either drives you or it diminishes your ability, and my ability isn't diminished by expectations."

The honeymoon, however, was seemingly over before it began.

Kentucky recovered from the loss to Gardner-Webb to make the NCAAs last year. That streak ended this year after the Wildcats imploded down the stretch despite having two of the SEC's best players in Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson.

The losses and Gillispie's somewhat sarcastic demeanor prevented him from connecting with some of the 20,000-plus assistant coaches who packed Rupp Arena every fall, some of whom waited anxiously next to a radio table following home games hoping to get a glimpse, a handshake or an autograph from the state's highest paid and mostly highly visible employee.

A sometimes roosterly relationship with the media didn't help matters. A couple of run-ins with a female TV reporter during brief halftime interviews this year struck some as inappropriate, and Gillispie could be contentious at times.

He claimed he wasn't hired to be a celebrity, but to win games. He struggled at both, at least by Kentucky standards.

Posted: March-27-2009 at 11:11pm | IP Logged	Tweet

I hope there's some way Gillispie can take legal action against the University of Kentucky and make them pay him the $6 million buyout.

Posted: March-28-2009 at 6:36am | IP Logged	Tweet

I couldn't disagree with you more RW. Gillespie is an over-rated under-achieving goon who deserves everything he's getting right now. Getting his buyout? Why? He never signed his contract a la Mike Price at BAMA, and this quack had two years to sign.

The bottom line is this wasn't working out. I for one believe the State of Kentucky's highest paid employee knew in advance that he would be called on to do more than just coach...all coaches in high-profile positions are pretty much required to do that these days, so why should Gillespie be any different? He also had 2 players on the floor that could be playing in the NBA later this year, and what's up with a 2-hour practice on gameday? That's just goofy.

RW, have you actually heard the exchanges between he and the reporter mentioned? It was ugly and unworthy of a replay on this discussion board.

This guy was given a chance to come to one of the nation's top 5 programs and he blew it. It's just that simple. Why he didn't sign a contract is beyond me, particularly when he knew the honeymoon was over before it started. That's his own fault.

One other thing about the Kentucky Basketball program: if they hire Travis Ford, they might be in for more of the same. The only difference is he might actually settle down a bit sice he's an UK Alum. He practically did the same thing Gillespie did while at UMASS with his mouth, and if his team hadn't stepped it up against an underachieving VOLS team and maybe lost by a point or two, he would've been chastised for blowing that one on his own with the dumb technicals he and another player drew. We scored 9 pts off of his stupidity (3 fouls shots and 2 3's after we retained possession).

Now on to Coach Fulmer. No, not on to Coach Fulmer. Any fan of football could see that it was time for him to go. Sure he was a good man, but when you have 2 losing seasons in 4 years with the talent he had, you bet your bottom he needed to be gone. Because of that, Tennessee has made its way into defending National Champion Florida's locker room...IN MARCH!

Posted: March-29-2009 at 12:27am | IP Logged	Tweet

Maybe Billy Gillispie was an under-achiever at the helm of the Kentucky Wildcats, but he definitely opened eyes of the powers-that-be in Lexington and they hired him away from Texas A&M. His performance in guiding the Aggies' is what helped get him hired to coach Kentucky.

No, I didn't hear any audio or see video of an exchange between GIllispie and a reporter. I just read a few different articles.

Well, it appears Florida coach Billy Donovan and also Memphis coach John Calipari have said they're not interested in the Kentucky job. Heck, I don't blame Donovan. He's very well set in Gainesville, with the Gators winning two NCAA championships in the last five years. And Calipari, he's in a good situation in Memphis. With the Tigers playing in the weak Conference USA and riding a 50+ game win-streak, he'd be crazy to go somewhere else. He makes more money in Memphis than he can spend anyway.

Well "BugMan," I disagree with you regarding Phil Fulmer. His overall winning percentage speaks for itself. Granted the Vols had a couple of sub-par seasons over the last few years. But c'mon, who could've predicted this past season's results ... opening up losing at UCLA and then other losses during the campaign.

The Vols had some talent on the team, but absolutely pathetic results from the quarterback position. And they didn't get the expected results from their running backs, either. I and all my buddies, we think offensive coordinator Dave Clawson was to blame. But I guess Fulmer could be blamed for hiring Clawson away from Richmond. Clawson sure wasn't no David Cutcliffe.

I really believe Fulmer should have been given one more year to prove that this past season was just "one of those bad situations." Then if the 2009 season wasn't much better, then look for a new direction. A LOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT of booster money comes into the Vols' athletic program, the majority earmarked for football ... and the boosters spoke that change was needed. So Fulmer was unloaded, and I believe in a very distasteful manner.

New coach Lane Kiffin will have the same quaterbacks this fall that Fulmer had, except he will have a different offensive coordinator. Kiffin also landed some pretty good recruits, too.

About the Vols making their way into the Gators' lockeroom? I believe the Gators' and coach Urban Meyer will use that lockeroom material for even more motivation and they will kick ol' Smokey's butt all the way back home from Gainesville to Knoxville.

I'm telling you, I do NOT like arrogance/cockiness, running off at the mouth ... or whatever you want to call it. And I feel Kiffin's run his doggone mouth too much. I don't care if he is coaching the Vols, and "My Blood Runneth Big Orange!" too. I just don't like arrogance/cockiness in any individual. Not even if the words spoken can be backed up on the playing field/court. Let your athletic achievements speak for themself.

The day Kiffin was introduced as head coach, he ran his mouth and said the Big Orange Nation would be singing "Rocky Top" in The Swamp next fall.

I don't know Lane Kiffin personally, and I realize this will come across as me judging him. But I just don't care for his arrogance/cockiness. I don't care for those character-traits in any individual.

This will probably surprise you all, but I hope Lane Kiffin gets his butt handed to you on a silver platter in The Swamp by Tim Tebow and Company. I've NEVER pulled against the Vols in my entire life, but unless I have a change of heart between now and this fall, I will be pulling for the Gators to kick the Vols butts. I'd like to see the Vols get beat 50-0 and the Gator fans do the "Chomp Chomp."

Maybe if Kiffin will have a change of heart and show he's humble, I might change my mind. What I'm saying, that's just it ... I'm publicly saying it. Because others are also upset and not happy with Kiffin running his mouth, they're just not speaking up publicly.

A LOT of my friends don't like how Kiffin's run his mouth either, but they're not going so far as to not pull for the Vols. It's not that I'm pulling against the Vols, it's just I don't like Kiffin's attitude. I've heard on different sports talk shows some Vol fans say a brash, young coach like Kiffin is what we've needed in Knoxville for some time. I don't agree with that.

Kiffin's actions/mouth has already gotten him a little trouble in his short tenure in Knoxville, with the Southeastern Conference and member schools in the SEC. Sometimes it's best to keep one's mouth shut if what you're saying is not correct.

I wish Phil Fulmer was still coach of the Tennessee Volunteers!!!!!

And "BugMan," don't you be buying any fuel at Pilot, either. HA HA HA HA

Posted: March-29-2009 at 12:28am | IP Logged	Tweet

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Billy Gillispie doesn’t know about chemistry problems or whether he was the right fit at Kentucky. What he does know is that he simply didn’t win enough games.

“I wish we would have won more,” Gillispie said Saturday, less than 24 hours after the university fired him following two turbulent seasons.

During an amiable 30-minute meeting with reporters, Gillispie hardly sounded like the coach whose roosterly act had quickly worn thin during his brief time at the home of college basketball’s winningest program.

He cracked jokes, asking if someone wanted to buy his mansion. He smiled, a rarity during his final days with the program. And he said he had no ill feelings toward athletic director Mitch Barnhart, who cited philosophical differences as the reason Gillispie was let go.

“I’m not a woe-is-me kind of person,” Gillispie said. “I’ve always said this, show up every day, try to work hard, try to do your best with the right attitude and everything works out right. I’ve had a great time here at Kentucky.”

One that was cut short after Gillispie went just 40-27 in two seasons. Kentucky stumbled down the stretch this year to miss the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991. Not exactly the makeover the program anticipated when he was hired to replace Tubby Smith in April 2007.

While Barnhart said the decision was about more than wins or losses, Gillispie argued he never shied away from the public responsibilities that come with being the state’s highest-paid and most visible employee.

Ultimately, however, he knew his main job was to restore some of the luster at a school that hasn’t been to a Final Four in more than a decade. On that front, he knows he didn’t live up to the expectations he embraced during the rowdy pep rally that greeted him two years ago.

“We didn’t win the right kind of games,” he said. “We just had a couple of bad stretches and an inexperienced team did that. But they kept getting better, they kept on fighting and they finished up really strong and I think it’s going to really help them in the future.”

A future that will go on without him. He refused to feel sorry for himself and doesn’t believe he was forced out by an impatient fan base.

“Tough times don’t last but they say tough people do, and I’m pretty tough,” he said. “I’m looking forward to moving on.”

So are the Wildcats, who are looking for a coach for the second time in three years.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and Memphis coach John Calipari are among Kentucky’s top targets, though the divorce from Gillispie could get messy.

Barnhart said Friday he doesn’t expect to pay Gillispie a $6 million buyout for dismissing him after two seasons, citing Gillispie’s refusal to agree to a formal contract.

The coach worked under a memorandum of understanding signed following his whirlwind courtship by the school. Barnhart said the university would try to negotiate a fair separation agreement but believes it will be well below $6 million.

Gillispie believes he’s due the full amount.

“That’s what it says in the contract, that’s what it looks like to me,” he said. “I don’t know all the details and all those kind of things. I just know we signed a contract. It was a shorter version than maybe some.”

After taking a one-day “vacation,” Gillispie said he expects to get back into coaching as soon as possible and doesn’t believe his reputation has been damaged by his sudden fall from grace.

“I think my track record proves that we can recruit, we can really coach,” he said. “We won’t let this bother us. It’s a bump in the road. It’s not an ending in the road and we’ll bounce back very quickly.”

Just not at Kentucky, a school Gillispie expects to be back at the top of the Southeastern Conference no matter who takes his place. He has simply one request from the 24,000 fans who pack Rupp Arena every winter if the road back to prominence takes longer than expected.

“If they don’t win every game, I think they ought to be on the coach all the time,” he said with a laugh. “I think they need to turn the heat up on that a little bit any time they lose a game and they may not lose one.”

Posted: March-29-2009 at 5:39am | IP Logged	Tweet

I watched several different segments of this meeting last night. I'm more confused about this guy now than ever. He acted like nothing had happened to him and had this easy-going front turned up on high, lol!

Posted: March-29-2009 at 6:27am | IP Logged	Tweet

I am following this situation very close. I have heard Travis Ford was way up on the list of possible coaches also I heard Billy Donovan and John Callapari who both are not interested in the job. Tom Izzo from Michigan St was mentioned but I dont see Izzo leaving Michigan St. I for one really want a Kentucky guy on the sidelines, someone who understands the passion of UK fans, someone who knows what UK basketball is all about.

The people I would like to have would be: Travis Ford who done a good job leading Eastern Kentucky, UMass, and Oklahoma St all to the NCAA tourny, John Pelphrey who done a great job at Arkansas this year, and of course I wanted either Donovan or Callapari but that isnt going to happen I guess

Posted: March-29-2009 at 10:26pm | IP Logged	Tweet

Either Travis Ford or John Pelphrey possibly might do a good job at the helm of the Kentucky Wildcats. It's a fact, both bleed UK blue and white.

But I kind of believe UK wants a big-name to fill the coaching vacancy.

Sunday afternoon, while one of my buddies was talking on the phone with me about the Louisville and Michigan State game, we talked about who will Kentucky get for their coach.

I told him it sounds far-fetched, but wouldn't it be interesting to see what Pat Riley could do coaching college basketball? He's UK blue and white, having played for the legendary Adolph Rupp. I don't really believe Riley will even express interest in coaching, but with all he accomplished in the NBA, if he came to Kentucky as coach, he'd bring a lot of national spotlight to the school. And that's what the school's wanting, a high-profile figure to lead the team and keep the name Kentucky Wildcats before the country.

Posted: March-30-2009 at 3:42am | IP Logged	Tweet

One this is for certain; it's gonna be interesting.

Bobby, you are right on about Barnhart. If he doen't find the next Pitino, he's gone.

On the Pat Riley option; I think that Pat, whom is in his mid-60's now, doesn't have the fire in his belly required to put KY back on the collegiate landscape.

Posted: March-30-2009 at 3:51pm | IP Logged	Tweet

looks like Calipari is coming....

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/9398650/Sources:-Kentucky,-Calipari-nearing-monster-deal

Posted: March-31-2009 at 1:55pm | IP Logged	Tweet

He's (Calipari) by far their best option.

You know he needs some National Championships to go with that lofty record. He could get it done at Ky...no doubt.

Posted: March-31-2009 at 10:15pm | IP Logged	Tweet

When you look at the caliber of top-notch coaches in the SEC such as Bruce Pearl (Tennessee), Billy Donovan (Florida), Trent Johnson (LSU), Anthony Grant (new Alabama coach from Virginia Commonwealth), John Pelphrey (Arkansas), and others ... now with Kentucky bringing John Calipari onboard, that just makes the SEC even stronger.

Mainly I'm just a fan of college basketball and football. Of course my allegiance lies with the Tennessee Volunteers, but I wish for all SEC teams to do well. If the Vols can't win, then I hope an SEC team does.

Hey Bobby, if Jodie Meeks and Pat Patterson stay for next year, with recruits I believe Calipari will bring to the Bluegrass State, I believe the Wildcats can challenge for the SEC title in their first year under Calipari. Kentucky really was a better team this season than what their record showed. 

Oh yeah, Bobby. Are you going to donate to UK and help them pay Calipari's salary???

Man, over the past few years the landscape making up collegiate athletics has seen an explosion regarding salaries for basketball and football coaches. Are the coaches really worth the millions they're being paid? Big-time collegiate athletics is MAJOR business!

Just take a look in Knoxville, for example. The money brought in by the football team alone helps fund the athletic department. Both men's and women's basketball bring in good revenue, too.

I don't really believe any coach is worth what they're being paid in college athletics. But, hey, you can't blame a coach for going after the big dollars. You're going to be paid these days based on your value to the athletic department. So whatever the going rate is for a coach with x-number of wins and the exposure he helps bring to the program, then go for it.

A friend of mine, recently he and I were talking sports ... and I told Ron that collegiate sports is really a means of advertising for a school. Exposure the school receives through TV, radio, and print ... that's really an avenue for advertising. If a school's athletic programs are successful, then they're going to receive media coverage, which in turns helps promote the school. So I guess when exposure is measured in dollars, a successful coach is worth the money they're paid in their contract.

Posted: April-01-2009 at 6:11am | IP Logged	Tweet

I think they're both on their way James!

Coack Kiffin did a "chalk talk" at Texas Roadhouse at Turkey Creek (Knoxville). Everyone I know that attended were really impressed.

Calipari at Kentucky. I'd say Barnhardt just secured his job for a very long time with that coup. They'll be much better next year with or without Patterson and Meeks.

Posted: April-02-2009 at 12:18am | IP Logged	Tweet

Hey "BugMan," I listened to Vol Calls on Monday night as I was driving back home to Johnson City from Kingsport, and I heard coach Lane Kiffin talking with Bob Kessling.

A buddy of mine who I attended college with here in town at ETSU lives in west Knoxville, and he and his wife and their daughter and son usually eat at Texas Roadhouse on Monday nights when Vol Calls takes place. We generally talk on Tuesdays about Vol Calls.

My main issue with coach Kiffin is how he comes across as arrogant/cocky, but really ... when you look at the coaches in basketball and football today, you've kind of got to have that personality. It's "dog-eat-dog" in college athletics!

I don't like seeing teams just run the score up, but the way the BCS is in football, you've got to try and beat your opponent as badly as possible.

Oh well, I hope the Vols do well (basketball and football) ... and for the Kentucky basketball fans on here, I hope your Wildcats do well also. That is, except when they play the Vols. HA HA HA HA