Kentucky basketball coach speculation with Tommy Lloyd heats up after Scott Drew news
The Kentucky basketball next coach saga (yes, we're already calling it that) took an interesting turn Thursday when it was reported that Baylor coach Scott Drew, who was the favorite in odds to land the job, was going to stay with the Bears after discussions with the Wildcats.
Speculation immediately turned to who could be Kentucky's next target to replace John Calipari, who left the Wildcats for Arkansas, and Arizona's Tommy Lloyd was included in a lot of the speculation.
New odds for the next coach at Kentucky had Lloyd second to become the next coach in Lexington, only behind Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan.
Social media speculation about Lloyd being a possibility for Kentucky also increased, with many suggesting that the Arizona Wildcats coach would be a great fit with the Kentucky Wildcats.
More: Arizona's Tommy Lloyd speculated as 'realistic' option for Kentucky job on social media
Kentucky basketball next coach odds: Billy Donovan, Tommy Lloyd, Mark Pope new favorites
Kentucky basketball coach candidates: Could Arizona's Tommy Lloyd replace John Calipari?
Social media calls for Kentucky Wildcats to hire Tommy Lloyd as next head coach:
If I were Kentucky, I’d hire Tommy Lloyd.
— Read Option (@TheReadOption1) April 11, 2024
Tommy Lloyd is a west coast guy and if he wasn't, everyone would be linking him to the Kentucky job. Kentucky always recruits the whole country no matter who the head coach is. Who cares if Lloyd has no regional connections? He'd probably win big there.
— Jason Bourne (@JasonBo27089157) April 11, 2024
Scott Drew turning us down is a brutal look for Mitch. Should be looking at Sean Miller/Tommy Lloyd now
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) April 11, 2024
To be fair, I think Drew is the only one they had serious talks with who really turned down an offer. They really should go after Tommy Lloyd. The ONLY reason he's not getting more buzz is he's a west coast guy. Kentucky always recruits the whole dang country. Who cares?
— Jason Bourne (@JasonBo27089157) April 11, 2024
I’m torn, this coaching search has been beyond entertaining. That being said, I also told #BBN what was going to happen earlier in the week. Six names that would all turn the job down. We are almost 6-for-6 now. Wrap it up and hire Tommy Lloyd https://t.co/3qtGqmM1JB
— Jonathon Gilbert (@jgilbertsport) April 11, 2024
Everyone is suggesting Bruce Pearl now, but Tommy Lloyd would have been my choice after Oats personally. Curious to see where they turn. https://t.co/ydBLwUKNTp
— 𝙐𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙨 (@UConnStats) April 11, 2024
UK’s HC search
Dan Hurley - no 🗣️
Scott Drew - no 🗣️
Billy Donovan - no 🗣️
Nate Oats - no 🗣️
Jay Wright - no 🗣️
Next up — Tommy Lloyd, Sean Miller, Bruce Pearl, Brad Underwood, TJ Otzelberger, Mark Few, etc.?— Rick Heidrick (@rheidrick24) April 11, 2024
Tommy Lloyd’s entire team gone. I think he’d jump at the idea of going to Kentucky
— Maxwell J. Kennedy (@35_Mjk) April 11, 2024
Who does Kentucky pivot to next, Tommy Lloyd or Sean Miller?
— Illini Fan Nation (@TheIlliniFN) April 11, 2024
Ok, so…
How far down the list is Mark Pope? Kentucky guy and really good coach.
Do you go after a 64-year-old Bruce Pearl? Do you give Tommy Lloyd a call? https://t.co/Snt34yoBpP— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) April 11, 2024
So where does Kentucky look next? Sean Miller...Tommy Lloyd...The most NC State thing ever would be Kevin Keatts
— Mark Yarbro (@MarkYarbro) April 11, 2024
Reminder…@KySportsRadio said that if it isn’t Scott Drew or Billy Donovan, then to watch out for Sean Miller, Tommy Lloyd, Shaka Smart or Chris Beard for the Kentucky gig.
pic.twitter.com/M4W56oK6Ot— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) April 11, 2024
In all seriousness, a real hot take: Kentucky Head Coach Tommy Lloyd, and Arizona Head Coach Kimani Young. https://t.co/sPKAxsRwNz
— Sean Kennedy (@SKennedyOGB) April 11, 2024
If Tommy Lloyd ends up at Kentucky I better see Damon Stoudamire back at Arizona
Dude is gonna win immediately https://t.co/rvwmaegtoo— Justin Frommer (@JustinbFrommer) April 9, 2024
Why not Tommy???? Tommy Lloyd seems like a perfect fit for UK!!!! https://t.co/sw6x43AahU
— Berhalter Hates America (@james_mac16) April 9, 2024
This could get very interesting.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tommy Lloyd as next Kentucky basketball coach speculation increases