Kentucky is targeting Baylor coach Scott Drew to replace John Calipari, with one source telling NJ Advance Media that the two sides are in talks.
Drew, 53, is said to have a strong relationship with Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart, the point man in hiring Calipari’s replacement. Drew is 466-255 for his career and led Baylor to the school’s only NCAA championship in 2021 in the bubble when Barnhart was chairman of the men’s basketball committee.
“These two are very compatible, so that would be Mitch’s comfort level,” said one industry source.
Drew is the betting favorite to be Kentucky’s next coach.
“We are grateful to John Calipari, who has led our program for the past 15 years, adding to the legacy of championship success at Kentucky,” Barnhart said Tuesday in a statement. “We are grateful to John for his many contributions to the university and our state, both on and off the court.
“We are working diligently to hire a proven, highly committed coach who embraces the importance of this program to our fans and the state of Kentucky.”
Among the names who say they are not interested in the Kentucky job are UConn coach Dan Hurley, who won its second straight NCAA title Monday night over Purdue and said he is focused on turning UConn into a “dynasty”; former Villanova coach Jay Wright and Alabama coach Nate Oates.
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Billy Donovan, who led Florida to back-to-back NCAA titles in 2006-07 and now coaches the Chicago Bulls, is focused on his current NBA season, a source with direct knowledge said.
Before Tuesday’s Knicks-Bulls game, Donovan told reporters he had “not been contacted” by Kentucky, adding that “my full commitment and focus is here.”
“I know I like coaching and I know I like coaching in the NBA,” he said.
Donovan said Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas asked him if anyone had contacted him and he said, “I’m committed to being here” with the Bulls.
The Bulls (37-41) are currently slotted to participate in the NBA playoff tournament, which begins next week.
“I’m trying to get home court in the game and try to get ahead,” Donovan said.
Meanwhile, Calipari released a video statement to X.com on Tuesday afternoon.
“Since our season ended, Ellen and I have spent a lot of time thinking about our time here at Kentucky, what it means to us, the friends we’ve made,” Calipari said. “On that court — regional championships, conference championships, the Final Four, the national title in 2012 — it was a great time for us. It’s a dream job. My dream job. Everyone in our profession looks at the University of Kentucky in basketball and says, “This is the bluest of the blue.”
Calipari added: “We realized over the last couple of weeks that this program probably needed to hear another voice. The university as a whole needs to have another voice providing guidance on this program that they hear. Fans need to hear another voice. We loved it here. But we think it’s time to withdraw from the program altogether.”
Calipari noted that “there are opportunities presented to us” but has not officially said he is taking the Arkansas job. It was reported by KSR that Arkansas will make things official with Calipari on Tuesday afternoon.
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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter covering Seton Hall and New Jersey college basketball for NJ Advance Media. You can follow him on Twitter @Adam Zagoria and check out his website at ZAGSBLOG.com.
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