Kentucky coaching search: No announcement, major movement expected on Wednesday night

Kentucky‘s head coaching search has been ramping up over the last 24 hours. Signs are pointing toward a conclusion in the near future — however, it won’t come on Wednesday.

KSR’s Matt Jones provided the latest:

“Things can always change obviously, but I don’t expect any type of announcement or major movement on the UK Head Coaching search tonight,” Jones wrote on Wednesday afternoon. “There still hasn’t been an official offer and there are still 3 major candidates. UK has been in contact with 2 of the 3 today but that’s it.”

Jones did follow up, saying that there is always the possibility that one of the three major candidates — that being Scott Drew, Dan Hurley and Billy Donovan — could pull out of the process themselves. Jones believes Thursday is when “significant movement,” will begin. Hurley called it “flattering,” that Kentucky may be considering him. Donovan said his focus is on the Chicago Bulls — which, in theory, makes Drew the likely candidate in that scenario.

The search to find the successor of John Calipari, now the head coach at Arkansas, has pressure to wrap up before the end of the week for the sake of next year’s roster. With the transfer portal open and commits opening their recruitment back up amid Calipari’s exit — Kentucky needs a coach to navigate what’s next.

More on Dan Hurley, Scott Drew, Billy Donovan topping Wildcats wishlist

John Calipari’s move to Arkansas is all but official. Kentucky has begun its own coaching search and is looking for somebody new to run the program. Some high-profile names are linked with the job and three names are standing out according to KSR’s Matt Jones.

Jones says the list for Kentucky is as follows, in order. UConn head coach Dan Hurley, Baylor head coach Scott Drew, and Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan. He would also be surprised if the search went past Drew, believing the Wildcats could land one of him or Hurley.

Earlier on Tuesday, reports circulated of Drew being offered the job by athletic director Mitch Barnhart. Jones does not believe that’s the case, with Kentucky wanting to see Hurley’s answer first. If/when told no, they will move down the list and attempt to hire Drew.

“Contrary to reports, I do not believe Scott Drew has been offered yet,” Jones said via X. “I believe the list is as I wrote it earlier, in that order.”

Both Hurley and Donovan have publicly commented on the Kentucky job, both hinting toward not accepting it. The former is fresh off a second-consecutive national championship and based on his comments, wants to return for a potential third.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.