Quote:
Originally Posted by tommyuf21
Not once, but twice. And don't be suprised if it starts again when Cal heads to the NBA in a few years.
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Anyone at all informed about UK's hiring process following Tubby and G's departure knows Billy was contacted both times. It went much further than that the first go round supposedly. While the "Billy's wife shopping for a horse farm" crap wasn't true, obviously, many "close to the process" were very convinced Donovan was coming and say he had a last minute (Magic-esque) change of heart.
No one that I know of has gone on the record with the above story, however it'd take absolute denial to suggest Billy wasn't pursued by UK. Veratiously the first time, much more tepidly the second. According to Mike Pratt (who was on the hiring committee), the 3 coaches in contention the 2nd go round were Donovan, Cal and Izzo. According to him (what he's willing to say), there was interest only from Cal and Izzo and the decision may have been influenced by Cal's earlier exit from the NCAA tourney that year.
Lastly, UK would be dumb (although I can't imagine they'd expect anything but a "no") not to contact Donovan again when Cal leaves. You guys would have to agree with this, right? Evidently, I've heard several people, including Pratt, say Izzo would be the first, or at least among the first, called if/when Cal leaves. Now wouldn't be a good time for this to happen as there aren't tons of great options currently.
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