Monday morning Kentucky coaching search update

Well, it was a quiet weekend on the UK coaching front…until Sunday when Calipari madness broke out. First, we heard about a supposed face to face between the UK brass and John Calipari, then the infamous Calipari to UK Facebook group emerged and ESPN finally joined the party, reporting mutual interest between UK and Calipari. The latest word I have heard is that there have been no snags in the proceedings, but that a conclusion to the whole thing will come in a matter of a few days rather than a few hours. I’m sure we will hear some tidbits along the way, but I would expect no big announcements until Wednesday at the earliest if I had to guess.

Also, John Calipari was apparently choice number two, because Billy Donovan left UK high and dry yet again after seemingly agreeing to come to Lexington, and it wasn’t pretty. I have even heard that the 4:30 presser on Friday was supposed to feature an announcement of a new coach. If all this is true, I wouldn’t think Mitch Barnhart and Billy D will be exchanging pleasantries any time soon.

However, it could end up being lucky that UK was spurned by Donovan, because I think Calipari would be a much better hire. In that Facebook group, you see the excitement the mere mention of the possibility has incited (5900 members at last check). This is pure speculation, but I believe that Donovan saying no, in the way he supposedly did, is the only way UK was going to be able to overcome the internal misgivings that some in the administration have about Calipari. UK knows a homerun hire is a must, and there just aren’t many coaches that will be that.

Another of the “homerun hires” would be Tom Izzo, and even though his team is still playing, he cannot be discounted from this process. Some still mention his name as candidate #1, and until another coach is introduced, he’s a possibility. By multiple accounts, his interest has been expressed to UK.

As for rumored Sean Miller visit to Lexington, I don’t think it’s happening. Word is that Xavier AD Mike Bobinski was contacted to ask permission to speak with him, but Miller quickly rebuffed the talks. I don’t expect to hear his name anymore.