ESPN's Pete Thamel names Scott Drew 'realistic candidate' for Kentucky, Billy Donovan and Dan Hurley 'aspirational' targets

Who could be replacing John Calipari at Kentucky? Jay Wright and Nate Oats have already said they aren’t interested — publicly, at least. But how about some actual candidates to keep a close eye on?

ESPN’s Pete Thamel ran threw several ahead of Monday evening’s national championship game, separating the candidates into “realistic” and “aspirational” categories.

Up first on the wish list? None other than old friend Billy Donovan, now with the Chicago Bulls. Early indications indicate, though, he would like to stay in the NBA.

“We have to start with an aspirational candidate list, the top of that would be Billy Donovan, who is the Bulls’ coach,” Thamel said. “The early read there is the answer from Donovan is expected to be the same that it’s been the last half-dozen years or so when college jobs have called and Billy has said, ‘No thanks, I’m happy in the NBA.’ The timing for Donovan doesn’t work well, the Bulls are in the play-in game in the NBA to get into the playoffs on April 17.

“That’s a long time from today if you’re going to wait to talk to Billy Donovan.”

How about another ‘aspirational’ name to monitor? None other than Dan Hurley at UConn, who is currently going for a second straight title with the Huskies.

“Certainly he would be on the aspirational candidate list. His buyout is over $7 million, which is a lot of money and historic, but not untenable for a place like Kentucky. I think Dan Hurley is going to have a contract in front of him to be amongst the highest paid coaches in the country — he’s already at $5 million — very soon after this NCAA Tournament ends. Then it becomes, for Hurley, a question of fit. UConn cannot go dollar for dollar with Kentucky for a coach like Dan Hurley, but he is a man of the Northeast, as he mentions every time he opens his mouth. There are strong family ties there for he and his wife. He’s going to have a decision to make whether he wants to go on the other side of the river financially and be affiliated with football in the SEC or if he can still continue to win historically big like he has at UConn.”

That’s definitely not a no, but a dream candidate either way.

How about someone you can consider a potential yes in Lexington? Look no further than Scott Drew at Baylor, who won a national championship with the Bears in 2021.

“In a more realistic candidate list, I would look at Scott Drew at Baylor. He and Mitch Barnhart have a relationship going back to the bubble at the NCAA Tournament,” Thamel said. “Baylor won that 2021 NCAA Tournament and Mitch Barnhart was the committee chair. He was in the Baylor hotel and assigned to the team, so they spent a month together. I think because Scott Drew listened to Louisville, he would give Kentucky a listen. Kentucky has more resources and a better league moving forward, it’s something Scott Drew is likely to entertain.”

What’s next for Kentucky? Would Billy Donovan have interest? What are Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart’s ties to Scott Drew? Would Dan Hurley be tempted by the SEC? pic.twitter.com/u5TUY7s5q6

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 9, 2024

Clarity is coming regarding the future of Kentucky basketball in a hurry.

One thing we do know for certain? Calipari is expected to be announced as the head coach at Arkansas on Tuesday with that deal in the “final stages before completion,” Thamel also reported.

Sources tell ESPN that the deal between John Calipari and Arkansas is in the final stages before completion. The formal announcement is expected on Tuesday, as we reported earlier tonight on ⁦@CollegeGameDay⁩. pic.twitter.com/UoTKRcAscB

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 9, 2024

A busy week will only get busier.