March 27, 2007
So long, Billy Gillispie. Sorry it didn't work out here.
You know the thing I'm going to miss most about Billy Gillispie? It's that smirk, the way he liked to let sportswriters know he was way smarter than them. I actually started to feel sorry for the guy. If being smarter than a sportswriter is the best you can do, you've got problems.
Gillispie had a nice run at A&M. He showed that the basketball program doesn't have to be a second-class citizen compared to the University of Texas. To generations of Aggies, accustomed to losing to Texas in just about everything, especially football, this was a shock to the system.
Anyway, it looks like Gillispie is out the door.
Fox Sports, citing sources "close to the Razorbacks program," reported Gillispie had agreed in principle to an offer. A&M sources counter that Gillispie spent the day in his office and gave no indication he was quitting.
Gillispie is also supposed to be interested in the Kentucky job as well. He declined to comment Monday night, which is a pretty good indication he has been on the phone with a realtor. I'll bet the people running the Fox & Hound aren't real happy about this.
No formal discussions have been held between Arkansas and Gillispie. But
talks between Gillispie's friends and those close to the Arkansas program have occurred.
A&M is hoping to keep Gillispie by offering more money, but this move won't be about money.
Isn't that just A&M's luck? They finally get a guy who knows what he's doing, and he's out the door before you know it. Some schools can't catch a break. I don't think Arkansas is a better job than A&M, but Billy may disagree. Arkansas has always struck me as a sort of lower-rung SEC school. Billy would lose some of his recruiting pull in Texas high schools by leaving the state.
It can't be about money. The Aggies will pay him almost anything to stay. Just beating Texas once in a season just about gives him a blank check. I don't know who the Aggies have in mind to replace him. How about Tom Penders? He'd love to go someplace with a chance to beat Texas. He has had success in March Madness, is great with the media, runs an up-tempo style. Go for it, Ags!
• • •
