Big Blue Blunder: Kentucky On the Clock

Jason Brubaker — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 07:37:51 -0700

I don’t think this is how Mitch Barnhart envisioned things going.

When the Kentucky AD hired Billy Gillispie two years ago to revive a basketball program that had seemingly grown stale under Tubby Smith, he thought he was getting a self-described “basketball junkie”, a guy whose passion and dedication would return the Cats to their rightful place among the nation’s elite.

Instead, a 40-27 record and an NIT appearance later, Gillispie is now packing his bags and Barnhart is once again seeking candidates for a position that was once considered the best in basketball. It’s a far cry from the madness that greeted Gillispie’s arrival in Lexington two Aprils ago, a scene that included a pep rally at the Craft Center and an abundance of optimism in Big Blue country.

“This is not a place I thought we would be at this point,” admitted Barnhart on Friday. “Unfortunately there are times when a situation and the people involved do not create the right chemistry or right fit.”

And therein lies the problem. While Gillispie’s on-court results have been less than stellar so far, it’s his attitude and demeanor that seem to be the driving force behind his dismissal. Turns out, the basketball junkie was unprepared to fill the public relations aspect that is required of Kentucky coaches. His surly attitude and over-the-top arrogance rubbed many people the wrong way in his short stay in Lexington, including the media, administration and fans.

In a state that lives and breathes UK basketball, Gillispie failed to connect with the majority of fans, and never seemed to fully embrace his role as an ambassador of the program. Rumors abounded of his personal life, everything from late-night drinking episodes to carousing with young coeds all over town. Combine that with the disappointing performance of the Cats on the court and Gillispie’s condescending attitude during interviews with the media, and all of a sudden, this looked like a marriage from hell.

With legendary names like Rupp and Pitino having stalked their sidelines, UK fans expect many things from their coaches. First and foremost on that list is wins, which Gillispie didn’t do nearly enough of. Losses to Gardner-Webb, San Diego and VMI won’t fly in Lexington, especially when arch-rival Louisville is in the midst of back-to back deep tournament runs, and fellow basketball blueblood North Carolina is quickly closing in on the Cats’ all-time wins record.

But additionally, they want someone who understands the passion and significance of basketball in the bluegrass, which Gillispie has consistently brushed aside. Former players have said they felt unwelcome around the program with Gillispie, and he didn’t help matters a few weeks ago when he proclaimed that UK was just a “basketball job”, no different than anywhere else. The intent of his words may have gotten lost in translation, but what many UK fans heard is that he wasn’t valuing the position like he should. With the general frustration level rising, Gillispie’s fate was sealed when the Cats were beaten soundly by Notre Dame in the NIT quarterfinals, the first time since 1991 they haven’t played in the NCAA Tournament.

The question now is where UK goes from here. Florida’s Billy Donovan quickly issued a statement declaring his intentions to remain in Gainesville, quieting the growing rumors in Lexington. Memphis’ John Calipari and Oklahoma State’s Travis Ford are both being mentioned for the job, as is Villanova’s Jay Wright, Texas’ Rick Barnes, Gonzaga’s Mark Few and even Michigan State’s Tom Izzo. One rumor making the rounds even has Rick Pitino trading in his Louisville red to return to UK. (For those of you not in Kentucky who are laughing that one, you clearly don’t know how ridiculous the rumor mill can be around Lexington. I also heard from at least five people within an hour of Gillispie’s firing who knows someone who “swore” they saw Donovan and/or Calipari arriving at the Lexington airport on Friday, presumably to accept the job.)

The problem, aside from the fact that many of these candidates have already publicly or privately turned down the job at least once, is that Lexington isn’t seen as the most hospitable place for a coach right now. Whoever takes the reins next fall will be the third head coach since 2006…a fact that doesn’t exactly entice potential candidates. With the perception out there that UK fans and their unrealistic expectations played a major role in both the resignation of Tubby Smith and the firing of Gillispie, coaches may want to think twice before signing on the dotted line.

No team can win a championship every year. More television exposure for more schools has leveled the playing field in recruiting, allowing smaller schools like Gonzaga and Xavier to compete at the same level as traditional powers. The NBA Draft typically saps some power from the North Carolinas and Dukes of the world, making them ripe for the occasional upset to schools that, 25 years ago, wouldn’t have stood a chance. The days of one program owning the college basketball world are a thing of the past, no matter how badly UK fans want to fight it.

Expectations aside, the state of the current program is more than a little uneasy for whomever the Cats end up signing. Stud forward Patrick Patterson and All-American guard Jodie Meeks are candidates to declare for the NBA Draft, although neither has made any decisions yet. Heralded freshman DeAndre Liggins, who found himself in and out of Gillispie’s doghouse much of the year, is said to be considering a transfer. Incoming big man Daniel Orton, one of the country’s top recruits, said before Gillispie’s firing that he would likely reopen his recruiting if Gillispie was shown the door. Even the most optimistic of UK fans has to admit that next season has the potential to be a very rough one, no matter who takes over.

So now Barnhart is on the clock. The hiring, and subsequent firing of Gillispie, all in a two-year span, has to be considered a failure. UK fans are growing impatient, and Barnhart needs to hit a homerun with this next hire. He not only needs someone who is capable of winning games, but someone who will embrace the position. Gillispie’s antics and attitude did not endear him to many around the Bluegrass, and the next coach will have some fences to mend.

UK’s team slogan this year was “A Pattern of Excellence”, referencing their storied tradition and seven national titles. If they make the right hire this time, that pattern could continue. Another mistake by Barnhart, and he may be joining Gillispie on the job trail.

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Kentucky: Team or One-Man Show?

Jason Brubaker — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:17:47 -0800

It's getting harder to trust Billy Gillispie. Listen to the UK coach long enough, and you'll come away believing that the sky is green, unicorns are real, and the economy is doing just fine.

But there's one thing Gillispie can't sell me on - even with that power tie, firm handshake and Cheshire cat grin.

"This is Kentucky, not Jodie Meeks. This is not a one-man team."

Gillispie's now-famous halftime interview with ESPN's Jeannine Edwards on Jan. 27 during the Cats' battle with Ole Miss is where Gillispie dropped this revelation...and at the time it seemed legit. Meeks had managed only six points in the first half, and Kentucky still led. And although he would finish with 21, Kentucky would go on to lose that game, the first of a three-game losing streak. So maybe this wasn't just Jodie and four backup singers. Maybe the Cats truly needed a team effort to get victories.

Or maybe not.

One month after scorching Tennessee for a school-record 54 points, The Jodie Show delivered another heroic effort on Valentines Day, roasting Arkansas for an arena-record 45 points. Slicing and dicing through the Hogs' defense all afternoon, Meeks carried the Cats to a big road victory, moved them ever closer to the NCAA Tournament and also put a pretty sizable dent in Gillispie's whole "team" theory.

Meeks finished the game 17-24 from the field, including 7-12 from the three-point line. The rest of the team was 11-30, and you have to imagine there was some open looks in there, considering the attention being paid to #23. With the 23 he scored against Florida on Tuesday, Meeks now has 68 of the Cats' last 147 points. Who's second you ask? That would be junior PG Michael Porter...who has a grand total of 17 points in that span. 17!! Meeks usually hits that mark before the second TV timeout.

In all fairness, Meeks' explosion was needed on Saturday, with stud forward Patrick Patterson resting a sprained ankle on the bench. And lost among the commotion of Meek's baskets is that UK has righted themselves after that three-game skid, having won two straight to tie South Carolina for the SEC East lead.

But after Saturday, I'm not entirely sure we shouldn't change the mascot name to become the Kentucky Meeks. The season-long call for a third scorer to compliment Meeks and Patterson has gone unanswered, and at this point, it seems Gillispie is content if the other players just stay out of the way and don't screw things up for Jodie.

Look - I realize that in basketball, you have to feed the hot hand. And when a player is having the kind of afternoon Meeks was having, it's hard not to find yourself watching like a fan, even if you're on the floor. The season that Meeks has put together thus far is nothing short of amazing, and we should all be grateful for having witnessed it.

But don't tell me this team isn't Jodie and then everyone else. With the way he scores, Gillispie could have surrounded Meeks with a group of senior citizens using walkers on Saturday and it wouldn't have mattered.

For his part, Meeks has remained remarkably humble throughout his breakout season, constantly passing up chances to pat himself on the back while praising his teammates for their efforts and contributions. Right...like he needs the help.

Have you seen this guy on the court? He's freaking unstoppable! He rolls out of bed and scores 20. Rumor has it that UK put a lid on the basket during practice the other day to work on rebounding...and Jodie drained seven 3's right through it. He later scored 25 in a scrimmage using a medicine ball. He's so good, they should start charging the other players admission. Hey - if I have to pay for a ticket to watch him, so should Porter!

So next time Jodie has another scoring outburst, and he credits his teammates for it, don't listen to a word he says.

He learned from his coach.

billy gillispie

Big Blue Blunder: Kentucky On the Clock

Kentucky: Team or One-Man Show?