Kentucky coaching search: Breaking down the latest on Scott Drew, Dan Hurley, Billy Donovan

Kentucky‘s search to find its new head coach has ramping up on Wednesday. From fans tracking planes to calling restaurants in Waco, Big Blue Nation wants to know who their next boss is going to be.

KSR’s Matt Jones revealed the latest on the coaching search and where the top three candidates — Scott Drew, Dan Hurley and Billy Donovan — stand at this point in the search.

“The university reached out, figured out that there was some level of interest not necessarily certainly non-committable interest but worth pursuing. I think they’ve had contact with at least the representatives of all those people,” Jones said during a Twitter space on Wednesday night. “And I think they’ve had the contact with the individual with Drew and and Hurley.”

Given that Donovan is committed to coaching the Chicago Bulls through the NBA playoffs, he is the least likely candidate of the trio. Jones also noted that UConn‘s national championship parade isn’t scheduled until Saturday. For Hurley to leave town before that Jones sees as unlikely.

That leaves Drew — whose family was in Lexington on Wednesday, checking out their potential new home. Jones expects Drew to give Kentucky a definitive yes or no by Thursday.

“I think the universities had a view for a while that the first person that was ready to go, is who they go with. And Donovan can’t do anything, even take it seriously until after the [NBA] play-in game which is next week. That leaves Drew and Hurley.

“I think the university has always thought Hurley is a long shot. So but they’ve talked to both of them and I think anyone that says Hurley has not been involved, I think they’re completely wrong about that. But I also think [Kentucky AD] Mitch [Barnhart’s] comfort level and the one he thinks probably has the most interest in Kentucky is Drew, hence why the family was brought today. … He’s certainly the favorite but I also think the Danny Hurley thing is out there.”

Whether it ends up being Drew, Hurley or Donovan — Kentucky fans are certainly excited for what the future has to hold. All three options would give Kentucky a hire that has won a national championship — something that BBN is desperate for after 12 years.

2012 seems like a long forgotten memory, and after being relegated to first-round NCAA Tournament exits despite the recruiting and regular season success — a new era is set to begin in Lexington sooner rather than later.