Did we interview Donovan for the HC job before we hired Gillispie, or did he remove his name from consideration?
Billy Donovan ... refresh my memory
- Thread starter Lewis Dorm Legend
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Awesome5th post you're well on your way to ulismyman status
I heard he had bought a horse farm, and his wife was house shopping! It was Rick Barnes who removed his name from consideration. BTW, Tubby ran the fast paste offense. Sorry for all those I offended
I'm just glad you're back!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of if not my favorite posters!!!!!!!!!
He actually signed and was killed on his way to the press conference. A clone of Eddie Munster replaced him.
that was no clone - it was really Eddie Munster
for a second, though, I thought the OP was addressing Billy Donovan, himself
All joking aside, from what I heard back in both 2007 and 2009 from the cardiologist my sister works for who is a huge booster to the UK program and is fairly well connected with the UK Athletic Department - UK attempted to interview Billy Donovan twice for the vacant coaching position and was never successful in landing an actual interview either time. James Foley, the Florida AD, pretty much blocked any attempt at UK actually getting a real sit-down interview with Billy D.
The first time in 2007, from what I was told, Billy D was willing to interview for the job but was actually eyeing the possibility of jumping to the NBA. Florida was coming off of back-to-back championships and Billy's stock had never (nor ever would be) higher. Billy agreed to interview for the job, but just hours later reneged and declined. People believe this was James Foley's doing, so Billy D was never actually an option to replace Tubby. From what I was told, Mitch's personal top choice was Tom Crean (blech!), but he was overruled by the board who didn't think he was a sexy enough hire at the time. BCG was the sexy pick because he took an undermanned TAMU team to the Sweet Sixteen and had beaten uvel in the round of 32 in Rupp Arena which really improved his stock in the eyes of Mitch and the board.
The second time, in 2009, Florida was coming off of a second consecutive NIT season and Billy D's stock had cooled considerably. When BCG was fired Mitch Barnhart's board approved short-list of coaching replacements (because he wasn't allowed to take another chance unless it was absolutely necessary) were #1 Tom Izzo, #2 Billy Donovan, and (a distant) #3 John Calipari. During the 2nd weekend of the NCAA-T Mitch reached out to each coach (allegedly he didn't even contact Coach Cal at first, only speaking to both Donovan and Izzo to gauge their interest). Billy D and Izzo both agreed to meet with Mitch in Indianapolis on March 30th to interview for the job (Mitch chose this date because Izzo, who was Mitch and the boards #1 choice, had a game on 3/29/09 in Indy against #1 overall seed UL and wasn't expected to make it past them). As fate would have it, Izzo's MSU team upset uvel to advance to the Final Four, so Izzo bowed out of the interview (supposedly, he was very interested in the job) so that he could focus on preparing his team. He did agree to meet with Mitch at a later date, after the Final Four, if they hadn't found a coach yet, but Mitch was under the gun to lock up a home-run hire quick. This forced Mitch's hand so he reached out to John Calipari whose Memphis team lost back on March 26th in the Sweet Sixteen. Calipari was supposedly very eager to interview for the job and agreed to meet with Mitch and Dr. Todd in Indy. Mitch was to meet and interview Billy D on March 30th and Coach Cal on March 31st. Billy D had a change of heart at the eleventh hour and called Mitch and personally cancelled his interview and thanked him for the opportunity. Again, people think James Foley got in his ear and forced his hand. The rest is history. Mitch met with Coach Cal the morning of March 31st, 2009 and by the end of that day Cal had signed a rough agreement/contract to become the next head coach at UK.
The first time in 2007, from what I was told, Billy D was willing to interview for the job but was actually eyeing the possibility of jumping to the NBA. Florida was coming off of back-to-back championships and Billy's stock had never (nor ever would be) higher. Billy agreed to interview for the job, but just hours later reneged and declined. People believe this was James Foley's doing, so Billy D was never actually an option to replace Tubby. From what I was told, Mitch's personal top choice was Tom Crean (blech!), but he was overruled by the board who didn't think he was a sexy enough hire at the time. BCG was the sexy pick because he took an undermanned TAMU team to the Sweet Sixteen and had beaten uvel in the round of 32 in Rupp Arena which really improved his stock in the eyes of Mitch and the board.
The second time, in 2009, Florida was coming off of a second consecutive NIT season and Billy D's stock had cooled considerably. When BCG was fired Mitch Barnhart's board approved short-list of coaching replacements (because he wasn't allowed to take another chance unless it was absolutely necessary) were #1 Tom Izzo, #2 Billy Donovan, and (a distant) #3 John Calipari. During the 2nd weekend of the NCAA-T Mitch reached out to each coach (allegedly he didn't even contact Coach Cal at first, only speaking to both Donovan and Izzo to gauge their interest). Billy D and Izzo both agreed to meet with Mitch in Indianapolis on March 30th to interview for the job (Mitch chose this date because Izzo, who was Mitch and the boards #1 choice, had a game on 3/29/09 in Indy against #1 overall seed UL and wasn't expected to make it past them). As fate would have it, Izzo's MSU team upset uvel to advance to the Final Four, so Izzo bowed out of the interview (supposedly, he was very interested in the job) so that he could focus on preparing his team. He did agree to meet with Mitch at a later date, after the Final Four, if they hadn't found a coach yet, but Mitch was under the gun to lock up a home-run hire quick. This forced Mitch's hand so he reached out to John Calipari whose Memphis team lost back on March 26th in the Sweet Sixteen. Calipari was supposedly very eager to interview for the job and agreed to meet with Mitch and Dr. Todd in Indy. Mitch was to meet and interview Billy D on March 30th and Coach Cal on March 31st. Billy D had a change of heart at the eleventh hour and called Mitch and personally cancelled his interview and thanked him for the opportunity. Again, people think James Foley got in his ear and forced his hand. The rest is history. Mitch met with Coach Cal the morning of March 31st, 2009 and by the end of that day Cal had signed a rough agreement/contract to become the next head coach at UK.
If you think about it, those 40 minutes of UL vs. MSU in the Elite Eight back in 2009 changed the fate of the UK basketball program forever. Had Izzo's MSU team of lost, Izzo would have met Mitch in Indy the next morning to interview and would probably have accepted the job (he was supposedly very interested in the job). That means that our current head coach would likely be Tom Izzo which means no Wall, no Cousins, likely no Davis or MKG, no Noel or Towns. Things could've been a lot different really.
I believe some of this is off. It was reported that Cal and Kentucky met on March 29th, the day of the MSU-UL game. He was offered the job on March 30th.
Another story I heard and I think most of what you say is true and all that I have heard. Billy D. was being honored at Marshall University about the timeline you say, Patrick Patterson was being recruited at the time.
Univ. of Fla. plane flew him to Huntington for ceremony. There was talk that he was going to meet with reps from UK that afternoon or night. Think he did. That night was when he called Jeremy Foley and said I am staying and will sign the contract, not going to listen to UK etc..
I have been told that he and Mitch did not hit it off on the phone conversation and that others went to WV to try one last try with him, the firm was pushing Billy G, think this story is true, Mitch said we need to move on to something if you are not interested. Billy D. called around, CM Newton, Pat Riley, and Rick Pitino. CM said you are happy so why change but understands the allure of UK. Pat Riley along the same lines said you have done what you have done, probably next step would be NBA, Rick Pitino all but said not to take job, heard he said following Tubby was going to bring a lot of problems, heard them say Mitch was not as good as Foley to work for. Rick sabotaged it.
Billy's dad had just moved to the area from NE, nice man.
In fact the guys who love UK BB and were boosters were being told to tell Billy to not take it. They did this because of their friendship with Rick.
I don't think Billy was comfortable with Mitch and the conversations, the people he spoke with. The fact that he had 2 NC's, he didn't need UK, his children were happy.
IMO
I'm more inclined to believe this. Cal said he met them in a hotel after watching D Rose in basketball. And I'm pretty sure he said Chicago on 28th
I think @rabidcatfan 's sequence of events is quite plausible; it's easy to be off a day or two
At any rate - most seem to agree, in general, what happened. I like Izzo - be crazy not to - but never felt he would be right for UK. His personality is fine, his style of coaching is very Big 10. Nothing against the man, of course, it works for him. But there is a reason why he has only one title in all those FFs.
What happened happened because it was meant to. Had we gotten Cal the first time around we may not have appreciated him as much. Lot of people, at the time, asked what could be worse than Tubby? Well, we found out.
And, contrary to what many say, I don't think the Rose situation would've happened here - or wouldn't have been nearly as bad. I do believe Ms Bell (as much of a witch I've heard people say she is) and her staff would've vetted it out better and/or defended it better. AND I doubt very seriously, Rose's brother would've gotten the transportation, etc. as easily
Just my opinions
At any rate - most seem to agree, in general, what happened. I like Izzo - be crazy not to - but never felt he would be right for UK. His personality is fine, his style of coaching is very Big 10. Nothing against the man, of course, it works for him. But there is a reason why he has only one title in all those FFs.
What happened happened because it was meant to. Had we gotten Cal the first time around we may not have appreciated him as much. Lot of people, at the time, asked what could be worse than Tubby? Well, we found out.
And, contrary to what many say, I don't think the Rose situation would've happened here - or wouldn't have been nearly as bad. I do believe Ms Bell (as much of a witch I've heard people say she is) and her staff would've vetted it out better and/or defended it better. AND I doubt very seriously, Rose's brother would've gotten the transportation, etc. as easily
Just my opinions
Careful what you say there. He has 1 in 7 trips in 21 years and Cal has 1 in 6 trips in 24 years. Not saying I prefer Izzo over Cal, but comparing Final Fours to titles is pretty close between the 2.
Very well said. Not surprised you have almost as many likes as posts.
understand where you're coming from, here
But four of Cal's trips has been since he's been at UK in the last 7 years. The others were at two relatively no-name schools. And one of those FF losses was to a Kentucky team that was arguably the best of all time. Izzo has been at the same school the whole time.
http://www.si.com/vault/2011/03/14/...ccessful-why-john-calipari-cant-catch-a-breakThis article confirms that Todd and Barnhart met Cal after a bulls game in Chicago. Looking at 2009 schedules it was the 28th. Also it says Barnhart brought up Calipari in 2007 but Todd said no.
I may be off on the days, it's been several years since I heard all of this and my memories fading a bit in my old age, lol.
Thanks for the clarification. Again, it's been a while since I heard this so I have no doubt I could've gotten the location of the meeting and the date wrong, but I think the basic elements are still correct. Even if they met with Cal before the MSU/UL game, Izzo was still their top choice and was willing to meet with them on the 30th, but then declined because of MSU's win. This combined with Billy Donovan passing on the job may be why Coach Cal was offered on the 30th.
As for the ":Mitch wanted Cal in 2007" part, I know that is not true because the guy I heard this from physically heard Mitch say that he would never hire a guy like John Calipari at a luncheon or something like that.
I'm not saying Mitch never said that but just like this article Todd was the one needing convincing. The article goes on to state that WwW had to meet with sandy bell and know the do's and don't s. It was either in Cals first or second book at UK he talks about having to convince Todd and he went into length about everything in his past Mitch and a few former alums set up the meeting
Not to mention the whole CBG thing too. But he was in his way to accept the head job at Arkansas when UK said they were considering him. They even told him up front they were waiting to hear back from other coaches first Gary Parrish had an article about it Gillespie even said it was true. So I'm assuming it was Donovan and izzo they were waiting on
To be fair to Mitch, Cal had a lot of unwarranted venom spewed at him back then (well now too) even here.....
I have no doubt he had to convince Lee Todd to hire him, but I'm sure that Mitch had reservations about it too, but the disaster that BCG was forced him (and I guess Dr. Todd too) into a corner. Regardless of how it exactly happened, we won out in the end because we now have the kind of coach that this program needs and deserves and Izzo is still coaching BigTen style basketball in East Lansing, Billy D is regretting taking the Oklahoma Thunder job, and BCG is still mucking it up at Ranger JC in Texas.