Kentucky Coaching Search Update: A Quiet Wednesday Night
A day in the middle of a coaching search feels like a week. About 36 hours have passed since John Calipari announced his resignation. Today was a significant day in the Kentucky coaching search, albeit one without a ton of news. It’s quiet out there. A little too quiet.
The Big Blue Nation felt an adrenaline rush on Wednesday morning as Kentucky fans tracked a plane from Texas to Lexington. It eventually swerved, then appeared to land in Georgetown. That plane made its way back to Texas Wednesday evening. Scott Drew was not on that plane, but members of his family were.
While Kentucky fans followed planes and discovered which Family Feud episode was playing while Scott Drew ate chips and salsa, Kentucky officials were speaking with prospective candidates. The interview process officially began, setting the foundation for the next step in this coaching search.
KSR’s Matt Jones alerted Kentucky fans that Wednesday night would not be the night we learned of any significant developments in the search for the Wildcats’ next head basketball coach.
“Things can always change obviously, but I don’t expect any type of announcement or major movement on the UK Head Coaching search tonight,” Jones wrote Wednesday evening. “There still hasn’t been an official offer and there are still three major candidates. UK has been in contact with 2 of the 3 today but that’s it.”
If you’ve been slacking, the three major candidates are Scott Drew, Billy Donovan and Dan Hurley. The latter made an appearance on The Herd to relish in his latest National Title. He dismissed any interest in Kentucky, describing it as “flattering.” Jeff Goodman does not believe Hurley is going anywhere.
Mitch Barnhart and the UK athletic administration have set the table, pitching multiple candidates what Kentucky may be able to offer them. We cannot share what was said in those meetings or if official job offers were made.
For now, we must play the waiting game.
In most coaching searches, there is a quiet period that does not include substantive news. Prospective candidates must take some time to assess their options before making decisions on whether to pull their names out of consideration or begin negotiating the next step in the process. The quiet is typically followed by a storm. Tomorrow could provide the pivotal moment in the Kentucky coaching search.
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