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 Matt Jones of On3’s KSR.
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.
“I don’t think that’s a concern,” Hurley said with a chuckle. “My wife, you should have her answer that. … She’ll answer that question better than I can. Shit.”
As for Donovan, ahead of Tuesday’s night game against the New York Knicks, he reaffirmed his commitment to the Bulls. Thus far, nobody from Kentucky has contacted him.
“I’ll just say this. Obviously, I spent my first five years in coaching when Coach Pitino gave me a job, two kids born there. I think like at all my stops, you have very, very fond memories,” Donovan said. “I have not been contacted by anybody, I haven’t spoken to anybody. My total commitment and focus is here to this team and to this group.
“I think with what we’ve been through this year and the way we started and we’ve talked about it, I give our guys a lot of credit to our guys for hanging in there and battling through some of the things we’ve had to battle through. And I’m with them on that, and I’m committed to them with that. Again, a lot of this stuff, I think sometimes turns out to be speculation. But I have not had any contact with anybody and my commitment is here.”
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