So Billy Gillispie got the axe from Kentucky on Friday. I’m not sure if anything can portray the friction between Gillispie and the media better than the following video. This is how desperate two TV reporters from Kentucky were to get a comment from Gillispie who clearly was pulling the “Cellphone to the ear bit” even though he wasn’t talking with anyone.
Alright, so there’s the side of Gillispie about which the folks at UK were complaining. Kentucky’s athletic director, Mitch Barnhardt, tried to say it was an irreconcilable difference in philosophy and that Kentucky needed more from a coach than just winning or losing. That’s total b.s.; Gillispie could be as big of a jerk as he wants as long as they win 25+ games, the SEC regular season, and they go far in the tournament. The “ambassador for the program” bullcrap was only a convenient excuse to can the guy for having back-to-back sub-par years. Why do you think Gillispie said his only regret was that he didn’t win more? Had he won a little more, they would have kept him around regardless of whether or not he shmoozes the alumni.
Two comparisons here: Ben Howland was 29-28 after two seasons then went to three straight Final Fours. Gillispie was 40-27. Also, Howland’s a jerk too, it’s just that people don’t talk about it because the team wins. Just wait til they have a down year — that’s when it might become a problem. Kentucky better have a darn good replacement in mind if they’re going to kick out a top notch coach like Gillispie, and I’m talking Pitino or Calipari good. This might work out better for Billy G.; he could wind up in a better situation, like Arizona or Oklahoma State (if UK hires Travis Ford). As for the reporters, that’s going a little too far, wouldn’t you say?
