Kentucky Coaching Search Update: Eyes on the Sky

What’s the latest on Kentucky’s coaching search now that John Calipari is officially the head coach at Arkansas? Jon Rothstein reported that Kentucky will officially meet with Scott Drew “in the near future” to discuss the job. Before that news broke, Matt Jones shared what he was hearing on the radio show.

Per Jones, the top three candidates remain Dan Hurley, Scott Drew, and Billy Donovan. Although there were reports last night that Drew was offered the job, Jones said he does not believe that was the case — but it could change VERY soon.

“I think the reports that Scott Drew was offered last night are not correct but could be correct this morning. I don’t know. I think they’re gonna make [Dan] Hurley tell them no first and then I think it will go to [Scott] Drew [and Billy] Donovan.”

Jones said he believes the ball is in Hurley’s court and if he says no, the focus will fully shift to Drew. Although Hurley has publicly said he’s committed to UConn, he hasn’t directly said he’ll turn down the Kentucky job if offered. Jones is hearing that the offer could make Hurley the highest-paid coach in all of college sports.

“Danny Hurley will be offered or maybe has been offered. I don’t know I can’t say for sure. But he would be offered money that would make him the highest-paid coach in college athletics. Not just basketball, athletics. If he turns that down, well, you did all you could do.”

Either way, Jones said Kentucky wants to wrap this search up quickly in order to start building next year’s roster. Social media is ablaze with plane tracking reports and TV stations are now assembling at Bluegrass Airport as a flight from Waco, Texas is scheduled to land soon. Will Drew be on it or simply someone wanting to go to today’s races at Keeneland? We’ll find out soon.

“I don’t think that Scott Drew and Danny Hurley have been given the job, offered it, but I think they both know if one of them were to say yes today, it probably be theirs, so everybody’s on the clock and we’ll see what happens.”

Yes, we will. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: The flight in question landed in Georgetown shortly before noon. There is still no word about who was on it.

UPDATE x 2: Per Jones, Scott Drew is not in Lexington.

Just to clear up the flight stuff, Scott Drew himself is not personally in Lexington

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 10, 2024

UPDATE x 3: Scott Drew is having lunch in Waco, Texas.

Great lunch spot in Waco on a rainy day. No better friend and supporter than Eric Shero and Alliance Bank!💯 pic.twitter.com/OP2OfYNhnZ

— Scott Drew (@BUDREW) April 10, 2024

UPDATE x 4: The Eagle has landed with precious cargo in tow.

This plane landed in Temple, Texas tonight around 7:30. It was coming from Lexington, Kentucky.

While Scott Drew did not exit the plane, members of his family did. More details coming up on @kwtx at 10. pic.twitter.com/Xf5tHZGKXq

— Darby Brown (@darbyjobrown) April 11, 2024