Who’s next? Here’s the latest news in the Kentucky basketball coaching search.
As Big Blue Nation awaited word on who will replace John Calipari as the University of Kentucky’s next men’s basketball coach, the search by athletic director Mitch Barnhart moved from Door No. 1 to Door No. 2 and on to Door No. 3 or beyond.
Baylor head coach Scott Drew considered accepting the task of leading college basketball’s all-time winningest program, but news surfaced late Thursday morning that Drew will not be the man for the job.
Meanwhile, the search quickly began moving in new directions, and fans started reading tea leaves for evidence of a current front-runner. A pair of two-time national champions were stealing the early thunder: UConn’s Dan Hurley and old friend Billy Donovan, who has been in the mix for this position before.
However by Thursday afternoon, Hurley had effectively removed himself from consideration. Making an appearance on “The Jim Rome Show,” Hurley was emphatic that no amount of money would remove him from his position at this time: “Once you make a certain amount of money, it doesn’t make that much of a difference in your life. I couldn’t be happier than I am here. ... I’m going to be here going for a three-peat.”
All of this unfolded not long after Calipari was introduced as the new head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks on Wednesday night.
As of Thursday night, here were the latest headlines:
Let’s get to it: Who will be Kentucky’s next basketball coach? Not Drew. Not Hurley. These are the options.
What do you think? If UK can’t land its top coaching candidates, is it time to bring Rick Pitino back?
Kentucky’s not for him: UConn’s Dan Hurley offers most powerful statement yet that he will not be Kentucky’s coach
It wasn’t for this guy, either: Baylor’s Scott Drew will not be the next Kentucky basketball coach. UK’s search continues.
If not Drew or Hurley, what then? Billy Donovan might be interested in the Kentucky basketball job. But there’s a problem.
John Clay commentary: Being Kentucky basketball coach is not for everyone, but it’s still a great job
What a new coach will cost: Kentucky’s next men’s basketball coach won’t come cheap. How much will it cost the Cats?
A red storm brewing: Cal the Hogs: Former Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari is introduced at Arkansas
▪ John Calipari officially named new Arkansas coach. Here are the details of his contract.
More departures: Somto Cyril, Kentucky’s first commitment in the 2024 class, is reopening his recruitment
▪ A pair of 2024 Kentucky basketball recruits have now decommitted after John Calipari’s exit
Having it both ways: Why one of John Calipari’s biggest Kentucky stars is not cutting ties with Big Blue Nation
Will it ever be repeated? Calipari’s recruiting success at UK was unmatched. The game changed, but that never did.
‘Cal was right. We are crazy.’ Who is Joe Craft and why are UK basketball fans frantically tracking his private jet?
He got here first
New Kentucky women’s basketball coach Kenny Brooks has been going about the business of constructing his first Wildcats coaching staff. Here’s the latest on his Big Blue rebuild:
Associate head coach: New Kentucky women’s basketball coach reveals first hire for new staff
Recruiting coordinator: Another former Virginia Tech assistant joins Kenny Brooks’ UK basketball staff
Collective efforts: New Kentucky women’s basketball coach calls for NIL support from Big Blue Nation
