All thoughts on Billy Gillispie and his hiring at Kentucky here only please!

[Broken Trigger]

It looks like we have a new Arkansas/A&M coalition to root against Houston II, aka Billy Gillispie. 

[SCRX95]

good lord... you went after BCG...now you're coming after Byrne??

[Hogpuddin]

good lord... you went after BCG...now you're coming after Byrne??

Yep.  By the way, who is your softball coach? 

[razorbacker80]

BCG has proven he can turn a down program into a winner. 

What he has left to prove if he can take an established program to a championship. 

Hadn't heard him speak until today... his voice doesn't match his body.

[DocJones]

Mum's (sp?) been the word on a new AD hire.  

STAY THE **** AWAY FROM MY AD!!!!

But by all means, take my football coach  

[keybored]

Interesting read on Texags...
http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=7&topic_id=853553

After reading this I especially feel bad about what happened to you guys, if true (it seems like a credible recount). If that's how it happened he lead your AD on for months before backing out when UK came calling, while at the same time tried to use both of us as a backup plan. When your AD wouldn't have that, he used us as a backup plan with the bogus tentative contract agreed to.

[TransAmHawg]

  Was Dana second on their list, too?

[jbcarol]

Yes.  Luckily the Search Firm alerted UK to a potential for cold feet.

It was rumored that Barnes was second choice.  Barnes did not get an offer.  He just wanted to add his name to list of those who rejected without actually getting an offer.

[hogkinl10]

he screwed 2 schools over in the same basketball season... that takes talent

[txag007]

The man left town during the night.  Left his current players text messages and voice mails saying he was taking the UK job.  He also told the recruits that he was staying put at A&M.  That tells me he really only cares about himself.

Any responses from your recruits yet?  He's not going to take DeAndre Jordan with him, is he?  Pretty crappy being at a place for 3 years and not telling them in person.  I thought it was bad when Altman didn't tell the players he'd changed his mind and he was only here for a day.

So far, Byrne has no intention of letting the current recruits out of their signed LOI.  I think he wants to get a new coach and let him have a chance to talk with the recruit.  From what I am hearing some names in include:  Tim Floyd (USC), Jamie Dixon (Pitt), and Hugh Marshall (Winthrop).  Personally I would love to have the Southern Illinois coach.  He gets his teams to play some stout defense.

[James K. Pork]

Mitch Barnhart had his search set up well.  He got one of the guys he wanted.  He also has a relatively content fanbase because they believe he made a run at the best coach in the country.

That is the difference between a professional athletic director and a semi-retiree rushing to make a hire so he can catch Tiger on the Amen Corner in Augusta.

[jbcarol]

BCG has proven he can turn a down program into a winner. 

What he has left to prove if he can take an established program to a championship. 

Hadn't heard him speak until today... his voice doesn't match his body.

He hit a home run with the Kentucky fan base through the Press Conference. 

[TinthYR]

Yeah, we were sad at first, but as more information comes out, I can't help but feel sorry for both schools.
I'm glad neither one of us has to deal with this man, as we both want a coach who has a little more integrity.
I'm sorry we railed you when BG turned his back on you. I hope you guys find a great AD and a coach who can
meet our new coach in the tourney. Good luck Hogs!

[Mr. Prozac]

There's been a run on crow all over from what I've seen. I expect Tyson to open some crow houses soon.

[keybored]

It was rumored that Barnes was second choice.  Barnes did not get an offer.  He just wanted to add his name to list of those who rejected without actually getting an offer.

Typical Texas coach move.. Mack Brown generally won't "offer" a guy unless he knows he will commit...

[OldArmy94]

Hogpuddin, yes, I did--actually, "Old Army" is just an A&M term for what is traditional and good.  "Old School" might be a good synonym.  I didn't serve in our military but like you, thank them for their sacrifices.

[DocJones]

I didn't say he wan't good at what he does.

[Hogpuddin]

Interesting read on Texags...
http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=7&topic_id=853553

After reading this I especially feel bad about what happened to you guys, if true (it seems like a credible recount). If that's how it happened he lead your AD on for months before backing out when UK came calling, while at the same time tried to use both of us as a backup plan. When your AD wouldn't have that, he used us as a backup plan with the bogus tentative contract agreed to.

Thanks, and thanks for the link.  I feel bad for A&M a little bit.

I wonder what the 'F' in front of Gillespie's initials means.?

[WinaGs]

I believe now that he indeed screwed UA with overtunes of wanting to go there if a vacancy was made.

I feel dirty.

[fusbal11]

I have to give it to Billy G.--he played the flop perfectly, but I think he has bitten off more than he can chew.  It's one thing to put together a team that can supprise people; it's another to put together a team that can dominate, and that's what Kentuchy expects--as they should--he last 3 years tops, and that's limping out

[jbcarol]

Mitch Barnhart had his search set up well.  He got one of the guys he wanted.  He also has a relatively content fanbase because they believe he made a run at the best coach in the country.

That is the difference between a professional athletic director and a semi-retiree rushing to make a hire so he can catch Tiger on the Amen Corner in Augusta.

Barnhart was up all night (on BCG's schedule) at his home, finalizing the contract with BCG.  Gillispie does not have an agent.  Barnhart's mentor is A&M's AD.  Gillispie came off well because of his commitment and frankly sounding country.

[Hogpuddin]

Hogpuddin, yes, I did--actually, "Old Army" is just an A&M term for what is traditional and good.  "Old School" might be a good synonym.  I didn't serve in our military but like you, thank them for their sacrifices.

Sorry, my ignorance, my mistake.  But yes, bless them and their families.

[azhogfan]

he screwed 2 schools over in the same basketball season... that takes talent

no i think it just takes a slime ball of a person

[jbcarol]

I have to give it to Billy G.--he played the flop perfectly, but I think he has bitten off more than he can chew.  It's one thing to put together a team that can supprise people; it's another to put together a team that can dominate, and that's what Kentuchy expects--as they should--he last 3 years tops, and that's limping out

Iff, does he have a place to go back to?  His Oklahoma State?

[DocJones]

Interesting read on Texags...
http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=7&topic_id=853553

After reading this I especially feel bad about what happened to you guys, if true (it seems like a credible recount). If that's how it happened he lead your AD on for months before backing out when UK came calling, while at the same time tried to use both of us as a backup plan. When your AD wouldn't have that, he used us as a backup plan with the bogus tentative contract agreed to.

Thanks, and thanks for the link.  I feel bad for A&M a little bit.

I wonder what the 'F' in front of Gillespie's initials means.?

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

[Tejano Jawg]

Breaking information indicates that Gillispie DID lead Arkansas into believing he was coming to Fayetteville.  I doubted that story initially but after the last 24 hours, a lot of not-so-nice stuff is coming to light.  Anyway, my apologies to you all for my doubts and comments and for the rude comments of some of my fellow Ags.

Check back anytime to see what's on our menu...crow or otherwise.

[Hogpuddin]

I believe now that he indeed screwed UA with overtunes of wanting to go there if a vacancy was made.

I feel dirty.

You shouldn't feel dirty, B. Gillespie should.  He should have trouble sleeping at night betwixt his 2 Million Dollar Silk Sheets!!!!!!!!!!!  

[Ouachihog]

If Tubby had staid, BG would be here right now.

Bingo.

I truly believe BCG had his mind made up to come here until UK job opened.  Then decided he would wait to see what happened with UK since he was a top 3 or 4 candidate.  If UK hired Donovan, BCG could just stay at TAMU and enjoy his fat raise and new practice facility, but if Donovan said no to UK, BCG could go to UK. 

Really was a no-lose situation....except for Arkansas. 

[Hogpuddin]

Interesting read on Texags...
http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=7&topic_id=853553

After reading this I especially feel bad about what happened to you guys, if true (it seems like a credible recount). If that's how it happened he lead your AD on for months before backing out when UK came calling, while at the same time tried to use both of us as a backup plan. When your AD wouldn't have that, he used us as a backup plan with the bogus tentative contract agreed to.

Thanks, and thanks for the link.  I feel bad for A&M a little bit.

I wonder what the 'F' in front of Gillespie's initials means.?

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

Ha.  Good one.

[jbcarol]

Mum's (sp?) been the word on a new AD hire.  

STAY THE **** AWAY FROM MY AD!!!!

But by all means, take my football coach  

How would you feel about a straight up trade?

[DocJones]

Mum's (sp?) been the word on a new AD hire.   

STAY THE **** AWAY FROM MY AD!!!!

But by all means, take my football coach 

How would you feel about a straight up trade?

Nope, this offer is cash and carry only

[jbcarol]

Mum's (sp?) been the word on a new AD hire.  

STAY THE **** AWAY FROM MY AD!!!!

But by all means, take my football coach 

How would you feel about a straight up trade?

Nope, this offer is cash and carry only

We have the SEC COY.  10 wins.  New Year's Day Bowl Game.  Recruited the Gatorade POY from '95 and his OC was the National OC of the year according to Rivals.  For those of us in the know, he ran the offense himself.  Straight trade.

[TinthYR]

Trade? Done deal!

At least we can see a different circus if not a better one!

[jbcarol]

Trade? Done deal!

At least we can see a different circus if not a better one!

We get the AD too? 

Quick question.  If the A&M HC recruited the HS POY and he was from Texas, how would he choose to handle that situation at College Station?  Could be a deal breaker.  He has a Heisman candidate at TB.  The QB's HS coach would like a college job and is recognized by Urban Meyer who is using plays derived from the book the H.S. coach has written.  What would he do?  The Gatorade POY wants to redshirt his freshman year.

[TinthYR]

Well, FB players from the great state of Texas are usually have a pretty high opinion of their home state, so they'd prolly transfer to another University in state.

[Eagle]

All I can say to you'll is that you are lucky that you did not get him.  The man cannot be trusted.

[jbcarol]

All I can say to you'll is that you are lucky that you did not get him.  The man cannot be trusted.

Which one in this sorry affair?

[jbcarol]

Well, FB players from the great state of Texas are usually have a pretty high opinion of their home state, so they'd prolly transfer to another University in state.

Texas is a big state.  Once a nation unto itself.  Many POY's have been Lone Stars.  Only one from Arkansas of which I am aware.  Arkansas would see to it that he transfers to the Left Coast to play for Carroll alone with his favorite WR, Mr. SEC All-Freshman. 

That's like transfering within Texas.  I think we have a straight trade.

I wish I could pull the trigger.

[TinthYR]

FBG I am sure.....the man is a flat out snake oil salesman

[jbcarol]

Unlike Billy Gillispie, I am going to get some sleep here in the East.  I will think about that Dream Job.  You can't have a Dream Job if you never sleep.

[jbcarol]

Check out other threads for documented background on the text messaging acumen of Arkansas HC's using University supplied resources.

Here is a differentiator from the Gillispie file (regardless how you think of him right now):

http://media.www.kykernel.com/media/storage/paper305/news/2007/04/07/Sports/Column.Barnhart.Used.The.Right.Process.To.Get.The.Right.Guy-2828654.shtml?reffeature=htmlemailedition

As UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart talked late into Thursday night with Billy Gillispie, he thought he had the right guy to take over the UK basketball program.

But it wasn't until they started talking about sending text messages to recruits that Barnhart knew for sure.

"How many do you send each month?" Barnhart asked.

"Eight thousand," Gillispie said.

"Eight thousand a month?" Barnhart said. "I haven't done 8,000 in my life!"

At that point, Barnhart had to feel about 8,000 times better about the successful completion of his exhaustive coaching search. The work ethic exhibited by Gillispie's manic text messaging is exactly what Barnhart was looking for in his basketball coach.

[jbcarol]

he screwed 2 schools over in the same basketball season... that takes talent

no i think it just takes a slime ball of a person

If D'Antoni could have sent his brother on ahead ...

[jbcarol]

Unlike Billy Gillispie, I am going to get some sleep here in the East.  I will think about that Dream Job.  You can't have a Dream Job if you never sleep.

In 2002, Gillispie became UTEP's head coach. With only eight scholarship players, the Miners went 6-24.

But even in that first year, Gillispie impressed one person in El Paso who knows a thing or two about coaching basketball.

Don Haskins, coach of those 1966 NCAA champions, was a regular at Gillispie's practices.

"The hardest practices I've ever watched," Haskins said yesterday.

Even tougher than the famously grueling practices Haskins was known to run?

"I'm not sure they weren't," Haskins said. "I wouldn't want to play for him."

But Haskins admired Gillispie's capacity for work. "I don't know when he sleeps," Haskins said.

[jbcarol]

Here is by-line that unites this Board and readers of this thread, from the Lead Sports Columnist of the Lexington Herald-Leader (I know that some other hack writes the head lines):

We'll love him, unless ...
IF HE WINS, WE'LL EAT HIM UP; IF HE LOSES, WE'LL EAT HIM ALIVE

http://www.kentuckyconnect.com/285/story/36525.html

[jbcarol]

Columnist for the Lexington H-L is so smitten by Gillispie that she includes a picture of herself for the first time on the Internet.  Go after that guy that is married to his job   It is a lot more light hearted than the dour warning column that greeted Tubby Smith 10 years ago.

http://www.kentuckyconnect.com/276/story/36543.html

[jbcarol]

.

[jbcarol]

.

[jbcarol]

I am so absorbed I don't know the last name of my sister either.  She isn't even married.