“UK did not aggressively pursue Billy Donovan”

[[email protected]]

Hell, MB did not aggressively purse any other more qualified coaches after Scott Drew and Harley turned down the job. The frustration part was that freaking Mark Pope was always going to be there and take the job no matter what, but MB panicked like he always does in these situations and did not interview more candidates. Kick in the nuts because the Bulls lost the play-in game just days after Mark Pope was hired. Billy D was willing to talk, but he wanted to wait until after the season. He probably would have said no, but you take that chance!

The BS excuse during the process was the late start to the transfer portal and that MB had to quickly hired someone. We saw the team that Pope assembled with the late start, but just think the kind of team we would have with Billy D or Pearl at the helm.

 

[rick64]

Let's see, Billy Donovan has turned UK down how many times before? Two??!! Three??!! I've lost count. He's a heck of a coach don't get me wrong. But it's pretty apparent he's not interested in coaching at UK.

 

[Hitman206]

Marc Maggard said Mitch could have had waited 2 weeks for Pope as a last resort after Cal left. Why not take shots at other coaches like Donovan first?

 

[Monday Nitro]

Marc Maggard said Mitch could have had waited 2 weeks for Pope as a last resort after Cal left. Why not take shots at other coaches like Donovan first?

Marc Mahgard… He’s the National Enquirer of UK sports IMO.

 

[jmw23712]

Marc Maggard said Mitch could have had waited 2 weeks for Pope as a last resort after Cal left. Why not take shots at other coaches like Donovan first?

Because Mitch is spineless and horrible at his job.

 

[Smeegs]

This is stupid. It’s almost embarrassing how much UK has pined over Donovan over the years.

After you’ve already aggressively pursued and been rejected by the same guy on multiple prior searches …and you know he’s happy where he is in a cushy NBA job … I think it’s OK not to do it yet again.

 

[Hitman206]

This is stupid. It’s almost embarrassing how much UK has pined over Donovan over the years.

After you’ve already aggressively pursued and been rejected by the same guy on multiple prior searches …and you know he’s happy where he is in a cushy NBA job … I think it’s OK not to do it yet again.

Donovan was not at Florida. He was with the Chicago Bulls and in a pattern where they are not going to get better and be in the play-in game every season. He was open to coming to UK.

 

[Anony Moose]

This is stupid. It’s almost embarrassing how much UK has pined over Donovan over the years.

After you’ve already aggressively pursued and been rejected by the same guy on multiple prior searches …and you know he’s happy where he is in a cushy NBA job … I think it’s OK not to do it yet again.

And this post is just chalked full of ignorance.

Donovan is a great college coach with 2 titles to show for it. He has been a below avg NBA coach and it's been rumored he would be open to returning to college coaching. He has connections to UK and is a Pitino disciple. He has experience in the SEC, pretty good recruiter and now has NBA connections which recruits love.

Just because it wasn't the right time for him during prior searches, it doesn't mean it wouldn't be now. And it sure as hell doesn't hurt to inquire.

 

[Louis_Skunt]

Donovan has turned us down so many times it’s become a weird denial problem. We’re like a high school girl that’s extremely high maintenance that can’t get the hint.

I’d take Golden from Fla over Donovan anyway.

 

[Anony Moose]

Donovan has turned us down so many times it’s become a weird denial problem. We’re like a high school girl that’s extremely high maintenance that can’t get the hint.

I’d take Golden from Fla over Donovan anyway.

Twice is "so many"?

 

[K_TIME]

Donovan has turned us down so many times it’s become a weird denial problem. We’re like a high school girl that’s extremely high maintenance that can’t get the hint.

I’d take Golden from Fla over Donovan anyway.

Regardless…you don’t give the job to a coach who has never won a ncaa game…snd were seeing him wilt before our eyes.

Strike out in every recruit in two cycles now. Even last year’s team played some crap defense and we’re jacking up threes like a ymca pick up game

just lazy AD that didn’t want to do his job is how we give the job to an unqualified alumni

 

[Hitman206]

Donovan has turned us down so many times it’s become a weird denial problem. We’re like a high school girl that’s extremely high maintenance that can’t get the hint.

I’d take Golden from Fla over Donovan anyway.

What if he continues to send d*ck pics to coeds?

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Donovan has turned us down so many times it’s become a weird denial problem. We’re like a high school girl that’s extremely high maintenance that can’t get the hint.

I’d take Golden from Fla over Donovan anyway.

1. Golden
2. Oats
3. Vogel
4. Pearl
5. Kelsey

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Twice is "so many"?

Donovan has made it clear he hates recruiting. I know the structure has changed since he's gone to the NBA, but it's clear he prefers the pro game. I actually don't think his personality is a good fit for UK. Golden and Oats on the other hand - they're both killers. They're both arrogant bastards. They'd be perfect here.

 

[Anony Moose]

Donovan has made it clear he hates recruiting. I know the structure has changed since he's gone to the NBA, but it's clear he prefers the pro game. I actually don't think his personality is a good fit for UK. Golden and Oats on the other hand - they're both killers. They're both arrogant bastards. They'd be perfect here.

Golden's baggage will never allow him to come here. Oats would likely do well, I just have a feeling he will get poached by KU or UNC first.

I would still love to see Donovan. He can hire recruiters to take care of most of that for him.

 

[bbnkat02]

Donovan is never coming back here. And I don’t understand why people criticize MB for not backing on that one. He’s shot us down at least twice before.

Alao, game has change a ton in the nearly DECADE Donovan has been out of CBB.

Is he any good at NIL? Who knows? Wanna throw him in here and fin out he sucks at it? Then we have the CBB version of Dabo.

Donovan would be a good fit Xs and Os wise but there’s Sooo much more to this game now.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

Donovan has made it clear he hates recruiting. I know the structure has changed since he's gone to the NBA, but it's clear he prefers the pro game. I actually don't think his personality is a good fit for UK. Golden and Oats on the other hand - they're both killers. They're both arrogant bastards. They'd be perfect here.

I’m trying to see a reason Golden would come here and I’m blanking. Oats I can see because Bama such a football school I guess but I feel like Golden has it made.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

Let's see, Billy Donovan has turned UK down how many times before? Two??!! Three??!! I've lost count. He's a heck of a coach don't get me wrong. But it's pretty apparent he's not interested in coaching at UK.

Of all the faults i have with our hiring process, this isnt one. Billy d had many other way better opportunities to come here and said no every time.

He was in the middle of an nba playoff push. No way he says yes so no need to waste a second of time on him.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I’m trying to see a reason Golden would come here and I’m blanking. Oats I can see because Bama such a football school I guess but I feel like Golden has it made.

Can Florida match what we would give? Right now Golden is getting paid about $6.8 million a year. Based on what we heard about what was offered to Hurley, we could potentially double his salary. I know Florida would probably give him a raise and his buyout would be significant, but I could see Kentucky put in a package together where Golden is getting paid $10 million as a base salary.

Plus, there's always a narrative that guys want to shy away from the pressure, and thereby not come to a place like Kentucky. It started with Billy Donovan years ago because of his personality. But some of these guys are cutthroat killers and want to win at schools like Kentucky. I think a lot of it would come down to how Todd Golden is actually wired. I mean, Bill Self had it made at Illinois, but he wanted to be at a place like Kansas. Sometimes you land the elite guy because he wants to be at a place where resources are constantly available. Our NIL options might help to lure someone like Todd Golden.

 

[seccats04]

I’m trying to see a reason Golden would come here and I’m blanking. Oats I can see because Bama such a football school I guess but I feel like Golden has it made.

Keep in mind these football schools will eventually tell the basketball coaches (if they haven't already) they will spend most of their money on the pigskin. The good coaches have big egos and want to be the big man on campus.

 

[bbnkat02]

Can Florida match what we would give? Right now Golden is getting paid about $6.8 million a year. Based on what we heard about what was offered to Hurley, we could potentially double his salary. I know Florida would probably give him a raise and his buyout would be significant, but I could see Kentucky put in a package together where Golden is getting paid $10 million as a base salary.

Plus, there's always a narrative that guys want to shy away from the pressure. It started with Billy Donovan years ago because of his personality. But some of these guys are cutthroat killers and want to win at schools like Kentucky. I think a lot of it would come down to how Todd Golden is actually wired. I mean, Bill Self had it made at Illinois, but he wanted to be at a place like Kansas. Sometimes you land the elite guy because he wants to be at a place where resources are constantly available.

10M to Golden woul be a slight gamble. Hes got a title. True but even Cal wasn’t making that. And Cal had a title here as well. And we saw how that ended.
Golden could work out. But I’m tired of paying multimillion to guys that fizzle.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Keep in mind these football schools will eventually tell the basketball coaches (if they haven't already) they will spend most of their money on the pigskin. The good coaches have big egos and want to be the big man on campus.

And there's already been SEC coaches sniping at Pope because of his NIL structure. They know that Kentucky has more NIL than they do. That in itself is a lure. If NIL is the major catalyst to roster building, and it clearly is, why not go to the place that offers The highest potential payroll?

 

[Wildcat Sheli]

This article was insightful on the “Should UK wait a few days on Donovan?” debate. The Bulls’ season ended one week after Pope was hired, by the way. https://amp.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article287545770.html

 

[Hitman206]

This article was insightful on the “Should UK wait a few days on Donovan?” debate. The Bulls’ season ended one week after Pope was hired, by the way. https://amp.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article287545770.html

Like I said, you could have had Mark Pope two weeks after Cal left and approach better candidates.

I like Golden, but he likes to message college girls on social media like his wingman Lane Kiffin.

Reminds me back when Gale Catlett was coaching West Virginia and his 38 year old assistant coaches hanging out in college bars chasing 18 year olds.

 

[One2Three]

Golden's baggage will never allow him to come here. Oats would likely do well, I just have a feeling he will get poached by KU or UNC first.

I would still love to see Donovan. He can hire recruiters to take care of most of that for him.

Not under Mitch.

 

[Kentucky15]

1. Golden
2. Oats
3. Vogel
4. Pearl
5. Kelsey

No to Pat Kelsey. That guy isn’t ****. Got his *** handed to him by Creighton and almost lost to THIS UK team at home. He’s already been dusted by Calipari AND Mark Pope. He is in no way a great coach and UK martial.

 

[kfwa]

Oats isn't coming, he made that as clear as Drew and Hurley.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Oats isn't coming, he made that as clear as Drew and Hurley.

Yep. Fans demand that you get your first option or they’ll crucify you for it. But also they demand the first option be someone who said they don’t like the fans here.
Oats isn’t coming. Maybe we can get Quaker Oats guy, but not Nate Oats.

 

[Bill_the_cat]

Donovan has put Kentucky in the permanent friend-zone.

 

[Broker]

I’m trying to see a reason Golden would come here and I’m blanking. Oats I can see because Bama such a football school I guess but I feel like Golden has it made.

Oats is not jumping out of a pressure free job that is paying him $7.55 million to come to the pressure of KY for another million or so. What is the difference in a person's lifestyle making $7.55 M vs a person making $9 M? We need to be realistic and understand that high level coaches are all making a ton of money and do not peiceive UK being a better job. I'm not trying to be negative but we all need to look at the real truth about coaching at UK. Look what it has done to Pope, he is melting under the pressure. I believe the difference in Pope in 2024 vs 2025 is stress & pressure related. He is so stressed he has a tough time talking at his press conferences, post game. I feel for Mark and the booing Friday in Nashville certainly did not help. I will assure everyone Coach Pope wants to win more than any of our fans.

 

[darkshadesofblue]

The timing wasn’t in our favor with Donovan

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Donovan has turned us down so many times it’s become a weird denial problem. We’re like a high school girl that’s extremely high maintenance that can’t get the hint.

I’d take Golden from Fla over Donovan anyway.

No way

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Donovan has made it clear he hates recruiting. I know the structure has changed since he's gone to the NBA, but it's clear he prefers the pro game. I actually don't think his personality is a good fit for UK. Golden and Oats on the other hand - they're both killers. They're both arrogant bastards. They'd be perfect here.

Donovan's personality would be perfect at UK in my opinion. He isn't a petulant man-baby like Hurley, he isn't a soft coach like Pope. He is a smart and calculated coach that while at Florida was highly respected amongst his players. He would crush it at UK

 

[TFCat11]

Mitch, like Self, just ran out of time. He couldn’t wait on Donovan, and Pitino, let’s get real, should have never left, and he would have had Lexington eventually renamed to, Rickington!

13 Titles minimum. MINIMUM!

 

[The Nightman2]

Can Florida match what we would give? Right now Golden is getting paid about $6.8 million a year. Based on what we heard about what was offered to Hurley, we could potentially double his salary. I know Florida would probably give him a raise and his buyout would be significant, but I could see Kentucky put in a package together where Golden is getting paid $10 million as a base salary.

Plus, there's always a narrative that guys want to shy away from the pressure, and thereby not come to a place like Kentucky. It started with Billy Donovan years ago because of his personality. But some of these guys are cutthroat killers and want to win at schools like Kentucky. I think a lot of it would come down to how Todd Golden is actually wired. I mean, Bill Self had it made at Illinois, but he wanted to be at a place like Kansas. Sometimes you land the elite guy because he wants to be at a place where resources are constantly available. Our NIL options might help to lure someone like Todd Golden.

Florida could if they wanted, but most places won't put that into basketball

 

[UKCowboys]

Let's see, Billy Donovan has turned UK down how many times before? Two??!! Three??!! I've lost count. He's a heck of a coach don't get me wrong. But it's pretty apparent he's not interested in coaching at UK.

People calling for Popes head, wanting the same guys that have smacked us in the face repeatedly, Donovan, Hurley, Wright...then when they reject us again, Oats would say no, MB would never hire Pearl, and we will be looking at Scott Drew again. We have a guy that is going to be great and lives the Hell out of the school. But the reactionary crowd swings as the breeze blows

 

[UKbrassowTipIn93]

The entire reason Billy Donovan went to the pros is he hated recruiting. Now amplify that with the portal. Oh wait, hes spoke out on that too

Chicago Bulls Coach Billy Donovan Not A Fan Of NIL, Transfer Portal’s Effect on College Athletes

Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan is team 'anti'-NIL when it comes to the laziness it affords college athletes.

www.outkick.com

Im unsure why you think he would want this job, especiallyconsideringhe hasnt cosched the college game in a decade.

You guys just throw names out there and assume if they were called they'd be on the next plane down

 

[One2Three]

Oats is not jumping out of a pressure free job that is paying him $7.55 million to come to the pressure of KY for another million or so. What is the difference in a person's lifestyle making $7.55 M vs a person making $9 M? We need to be realistic and understand that high level coaches are all making a ton of money and do not peiceive UK being a better job. I'm not trying to be negative but we all need to look at the real truth about coaching at UK. Look what it has done to Pope, he is melting under the pressure. I believe the difference in Pope in 2024 vs 2025 is stress & pressure related. He is so stressed he has a tough time talking at his press conferences, post game. I feel for Mark and the booing Friday in Nashville certainly did not help. I will assure everyone Coach Pope wants to win more than any of our fans.

Yeah, because coaches totally don’t intentionally plunge themselves into high pressure jobs all the time. /s

Why didn’t Matt Campbell stay at ISU or why did Lane Kiffin take the LSU job? Their previous jobs had so much less pressure than the new jobs they got.

 

[RunninRichie]

1. Golden
2. Oats
3. Vogel
4. Pearl
5. Kelsey

Ben McCollum

 

[kfwa]

Yeah, because coaches totally don’t intentionally plunge themselves into high pressure jobs all the time. /s

Why didn’t Matt Campbell stay at ISU or why did Lane Kiffin take the LSU job? Their previous jobs had so much less pressure than the new jobs they got.

Oats removed himself from the UK coaching search before he was even asked by UK. I mean I don't know how you rationalize that into he'd come if he was offered

Pearl, on the other hand...He's probably already submitted his name to Barnhart