Since my last post, I have spoken with several sources, and it now appears as if Billy Clyde Gillispie’s departure from UK is imminent. This info comes from people well placed within the UK community, people who have provided reliable information to me in the past about UK personnel moves.
The termination, I’m told, will happen soon after UK’s last game.
I’m told that a player mutiny was afoot, that as many as five underclassmen declared their intention not to return if BCG did. And that the school’s administration is disinclined to let that happen. Especially since the coach has been a PR nightmare since he stepped on campus.
I’m told that UK president Lee Todd himself made the decision.
The fly in the ointment, truth be told, on both this rumor and the alleged firing is this bit of innuendo. It’s reported that the Memorandum of Understanding under which Gillispie is employed has a buy out clause which would cost UK or some fat cats $6 million if BCG is fired. Never read it, don’t know. Not sure if a non-contract like this Memorandum of Understanding is contractually binding or just ink on papyrus?
Stay tuned.
Seth Davis, who is a basketball analyst for CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated, wrote in his blog today about Gillispie's status. We have provided a link to his report. In it, he states that "one well-placed source told me last week that the decision to remove Gillispie was already "done."