Kristian Ferrell
With the departure of John Calipari, who is finalizing a five-year deal to become the next head coach at Arkansas, Kentucky is on the lookout for a new head coach for its basketball program. The Wildcats are expected to pursue a veteran, defensive-minded point guard to complement the young guards on the current roster. While the search for Calipari's replacement is expected to be unlike other coaching searches, some names have emerged as potential candidates, including Scott Drew, Billy Donovan, and Dan Hurley.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current coach | Mark Pope |
| Former coach | John Calipari |
| Possible replacements | Scott Drew, Billy Donovan, Dan Hurley, Rick Pitino, Nate Oats, Bruce Pearl, Kelvin Sampson, Jeff Walz, Kenny Brooks |
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What You'll Learn
Potential candidates for the head coach position
With John Calipari's departure, the University of Kentucky is looking for a new men's basketball head coach. The Wildcats are expected to spare no expense in their search for a new head coach, with UK's wealthiest boosters on board with making a major splash. Here are some of the potential candidates for the head coach position:
Scott Drew
Scott Drew, the Baylor head coach, is one of the potential candidates for the head coach position at the University of Kentucky. He has a good relationship with UK AD Barnhart, and multiple people familiar with Barnhart's thinking have said that Drew would be his top choice. Drew orchestrated one of the greatest builds in college basketball history, and it would likely take an annual salary near or exceeding $9 million to land him.
Billy Donovan
Billy Donovan, a former Kentucky assistant under Rick Pitino, is another potential candidate. He is currently with the Bulls and has stated that he is focused on his position in the NBA. However, some believe that he might hear his "NBA clock ticking" and could be lured back to college basketball. Donovan would be a dream candidate for Kentucky fans, but it seems unlikely that he would leave the NBA for the intense environment of Lexington.
Dan Hurley
Dan Hurley, who has coached UConn to back-to-back NCAA championships, is also in the running for the head coach position. While it is believed that the odds of him leaving Connecticut are slim, Kentucky may be able to lure him with a large salary.
Kelvin Sampson
Kelvin Sampson is one of the top coaches in college basketball, with two Final Fours on his resume and NCAA Tournament trips with four different programs. He could be a strong candidate to bring a national championship to Kentucky.
Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino, a former Kentucky coach, is also mentioned as a potential candidate. He has a history with the program, but it is unclear if he would be interested in returning.
Other names that have been mentioned include Bruce Pearl, Nate Oats, Jeff Walz, and Kenny Brooks. The University of Kentucky is expected to aim for the top candidates, and with the support of its wealthiest boosters, the school is poised to make a significant investment in its new head coach.
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Replacing Kyra Elzy as head coach of the women's team
Kyra Elzy was fired as head coach of the University of Kentucky's women's basketball team on March 11, 2024. This came after two consecutive losing seasons and failure to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back years.
Elzy's tenure with the program was from 2008-12 and 2016-2024, with a two-year break in between. In her first two seasons as head coach, she led the team to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments, a feat unmatched by any other coach in the program's history. During this period, she also led the team to a 10-game win streak, the program's longest in conference action in a decade. For her efforts, she was named the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Spalding Maggie Dixon Division I NCAA Rookie Coach of the Year.
Elzy's success extended beyond the court and into recruiting. She helped sign a top-10 prospect, Treasure Hunt, and a four-star forward, Nyah Levertter, in 2020. Her recruiting prowess continued when she was named head coach, securing another top-20 class in 2022, including several highly touted players.
Following Elzy's dismissal, the University of Kentucky announced it would begin a national search for a new head coach to lead its women's basketball team. The university will likely seek a prominent candidate to fill the role, with the program's wealthy boosters supporting a significant investment in the coaching search.
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The departure of John Calipari
The University of Kentucky is a prestigious basketball school, and the coaching position is highly sought-after. The expectations and scrutiny that come with this role are not for the faint of heart. The university is committed to returning the program to the top of the sport and is prepared to spend big on the right candidate.
Several big names have been floated as potential replacements for Calipari. One of the early favourites is Dan Hurley, who has successfully coached UConn to back-to-back NCAA championships. However, luring Hurley away from UConn would likely require a substantial financial package. Another strong candidate is Billy Donovan, a former Kentucky assistant coach under Rick Pitino. Donovan currently coaches the Chicago Bulls in the NBA, and while it seems unlikely that he would return to college basketball, his name has been mentioned as a potential "pie-in-the-sky" option. Scott Drew, the Baylor head coach, is also a top contender for the job. Drew has a friendly relationship with UK AD Barnhart, and his contract with Baylor was recently redone, which could make negotiations challenging.
Other notable mentions include Rick Pitino himself, who has a history with the university, and Nate Oats, who surpassed Calipari in the SEC hierarchy in recent seasons and would be an ideal hire for Kentucky fans. With the University of Kentucky sparing no expense in their search for a new head coach, it is unclear who will ultimately be chosen to fill the sizeable void left by John Calipari.
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The future of Kerr Kriisa
Kriisa's injury and recovery have been well-documented, but the player has remained tight-lipped about his future plans beyond this season. Head coach Mark Pope has also deflected questions about Kriisa's future with the team. It is speculated that Kentucky will pursue a veteran, defensive-minded point guard in the transfer portal during the offseason to complement their incoming freshmen and returning guards.
Despite the uncertainty, Kriisa's talent and potential are undeniable. Before his injury, he was a key player for the Kentucky Wildcats, known for his scoring ability and court vision. Returning from injury, Kriisa could provide valuable experience and leadership to a young Kentucky backcourt. His presence could also allow the team to implement more complex offensive schemes, taking advantage of his passing skills and court awareness.
However, with the team's recent focus on recruiting talented freshmen and the potential addition of a veteran point guard, Kriisa may find himself in a crowded backcourt. The competition for playing time could be intense, and Kriisa's ability to secure a starting role would depend on his recovery and performance during the offseason.
Kriisa's future with the Kentucky Wildcats hangs in the balance, and his decision will have a significant impact on the team's dynamics and strategy moving forward. While the Wildcats have expressed their interest in veteran point guards, Kriisa's return could provide a different but equally valuable dynamic to the team. The coming months will be crucial in shaping not only Kriisa's future but also the trajectory of the Kentucky Wildcats' basketball program.
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The team's roster for next season
With the departure of John Calipari, who is now the head coach at Arkansas, the Kentucky basketball team is looking to fill several spots for the upcoming season. The Wildcats' roster for the next season will likely include some new additions to replace those who have left or are ineligible to play.
Kerr Kriisa, who was sidelined with a foot injury for most of the previous season, will be eligible for a medical redshirt. However, it is unclear if he will return to play for Kentucky next season. The team is expected to pursue a veteran, defensive-minded point guard to complement the incoming freshmen Jasper Johnson and Acaden Lewis in the backcourt.
Four of the starters from the previous season, Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams, have finished their college basketball careers. Additionally, Jaxson Robinson, a former starter who was sidelined with a wrist injury, and reserve forward Ansley Almonor, have exhausted their NCAA eligibility. The team may also be without Kriisa, who has not indicated his plans for the upcoming season.
While the Kentucky basketball team has not announced any new hires or roster additions, there are several candidates rumoured to be in the running for the head coach position. These include Scott Drew, Billy Donovan, Dan Hurley, Kelvin Sampson, and Bruce Pearl. The team's new coach and any additional roster changes will be announced in due course as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the top candidates to replace John Calipari as the head coach of Kentucky's men's basketball team include Scott Drew, Billy Donovan, and Dan Hurley.
Other potential candidates for the job include Rick Pitino, Nate Oats, and Kelvin Sampson.
John Calipari left Kentucky to become the head coach of the men's basketball team at Arkansas.
Some possible candidates to replace Kyra Elzy as the head coach of Kentucky's women's basketball team include Kenny Brooks, Jeff Walz, and Chantel Jennings.
