Billy Clyde Gillispie

[blueheretic]

I'd still love to know what the heck happened with Gillispie.

How did that all go so wrong?

It seemed that he'd come in and take over the world when they hired him and then.........POOF! It all went out in a ball of flame and Dr. Pepper.

I've heard all of these crazy stories. Co-eds in pools. Co-eds at bars. This that and the other.

Yet, it was in the era of the camera phone and I've never seen a video.

Why did he hate the boosters so much?

Just pure insanity for a guy to come to Kentucky and not realize what it was all about.

Was he just young and dumb? He was 43 when he was hired. That's not all that young. It's certainly old enough to know better. Maybe he was just still too young to care.

https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article43995198.html

[blueheretic]

Gillispie’s tenure got off to a bizarre start at Kentucky because he never actually signed his seven-year contract to coach the Wildcats. Gillispie agreed to a memorandum of understanding when he was hired, with the assumption that a deal would get done, but it never did. So, when Gillispie went 22-14, equalling the mark for the most losses in a single season in school history, and missed the tournament, he was fired and Kentucky refused to sign his $6 million buyout.

I'd forgotten about this particular bit of madness.

[SportsFan]

I think Mitch became enamored with Gillispie beating Louisville in the NCAA tournament, the fact that he was an "up and coming" coach.... and frustrated that Billy Donovan had turned him down. Say what you will about Barnhardt, but the one thing we do know is he has this pride about him that won't let him get turned down more than once or twice. Once Donovan turned him down, he probably thought Gillispie would jump at the chance....which he did. I think he did the same thing with Pope after Drew turned him down. I will say this...I do think that Pope will turn out MUCH (worlds) better than Billy Clyde did!

[blueheretic]

...

[40bill]

Just my opinion is the job and the expectations burned him up and out.
I think the guy just expected to coach basketball...and that aint it.

[TrueblueCATfan]

That was 2 years I want to forget

Especially when he got beat by Gardner Webb at home

[Majoga]

Billy Clyde incorrectly thought he was a better professional than Ricky Bobby.

[Sam K.]

If I recall correctly he had a policy of whoever worked the hardest in practice would be his starters. Thus Mark Coury was one of his starters. He started more at UK than he did to the school he transferred to. Correct me if I'm wrong (about starters).

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/mark-coury-2.html

[UKWildcats1987]

He was a dumb redneck drunk. That won't cut it here.

[Trueblujr]

I think Mitch became enamored with Gillispie beating Louisville in the NCAA tournament, the fact that he was an "up and coming" coach.... and frustrated that Billy Donovan had turned him down. Say what you will about Barnhardt, but the one thing we do know is he has this pride about him that won't let him get turned down more than once or twice. Once Donovan turned him down, he probably thought Gillispie would jump at the chance....which he did. I think he did the same thing with Pope after Drew turned him down. I will say this...I do think that Pope will turn out MUCH (worlds) better than Billy Clyde did!

Well, we know if Pope fails here it won't be because of personal issues or off the court shenanigans. Pope is a dedicated, loving and religious family man with a very high moral compass. Billy Clyde was a single, mentally unstable, loose cannon who liked to drink and party and the pressure cooker that is UK got to him. He also was a more abusive type coach to the players as well. He did Bobby Knight level stuff that might have flown 35+ years ago, but not in this day and age. His career since he left here has been littered with failure and personal issues.

[KentuckyWild2020]

I'd still love to know what the heck happened with Gillispie.

How did that all go so wrong?

It seemed that he'd come in and take over the world when they hired him and then.........POOF! It all went out in a ball of flame and Dr. Pepper.

I've heard all of these crazy stories. Co-eds in pools. Co-eds at bars. This that and the other.

Yet, it was in the era of the camera phone and I've never seen a video.

Why did he hate the boosters so much?

Just pure insanity for a guy to come to Kentucky and not realize what it was all about.

Was he just young and dumb? He was 43 when he was hired. That's not all that young. It's certainly old enough to know better. Maybe he was just still too young to care.


https://www.kentucky.com/sports/coll...e43995198.html

He got paid and went wild on a girls gone crazy tour. Coming to Lexington being treated like a rock star, dude went wild. Within months I heard of the rumors and things that was going on with Clyde but nobody would believe it. "That can't be true, that's no possible" lol lol.

Meanwhile Billy Clyde drunk and naked in a pool full of women. Seems like yesterday but also surprised Billy didn't get caught up and extorted for some loot. If he does the things today he did then, lawsuits all of the above, jus ask Shannon Sharpe....




Still, to cut through the bs and get straight to the point, he ain't the coach of Kentucky if he doesn't beat the great RICK PITINO Cardinals in front of a anti Tubby Smith Rupp Arena crowd, period.

Another desperation hire, another lifetime contract type of situation??

Billy G was up and coming, done some good things, still a B tier hire for the University of Kentucky but it was a pressure desperation hire. He don't beat Rick, he ain't the coach.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Funny thing about Billy G is that I remember his press conference introduction. I was driving and was listening to it in real time. I was actually a little tear eyed and emotional, was actually happy and excited, I guess it was desperation kicking in because of the frustration with Smith.

Man was I fooled lol lol lol lol...

Billy G literally said "hold me beer"

[blueheretic]

That was 2 years I want to forget

Especially when he got beat by Gardner Webb at home

My little brother turned that into a phrase.

When something bewildering happens, he says; "What in the Gardner Webb?"

[Majoga]

Billy Clyde? Sounds like the name of a tattoo you'd find on a trailer trash barbie.

[blueheretic]

Billy Clyde? Sounds like the name of a tattoo you'd find on a trailer trash barbie.

MOOOOOOOOO