An unexpected coaching search will begin in Kentucky with news of John Calipari going to Arkansas. Billy Donovan’s name has surfaced as an intriguing, yet unlikely replacement option.
Since reporting John Calipari’s departure, Pete Thamel spent all of Monday discussing Kentucky’s coaching search on ESPN programming. Appearing on College GameDay ahead of the men’s National Championship Game, Thamel reiterated his claim that Donovan is Kentucky’s top “aspirational” candidate.
However, he doesn’t expect the Chicago Bulls head coach to pursue the opportunity.
“The early read there is that the answer from Donovan is expected to be the same than it’s been the last half-dozen years or so when college jobs have called and Billy has said, ‘No thanks. I’m happy in the NBA,'” Thamel said.
Donovan’s Bulls will face the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament next week. Kentucky would have to wait until Chicago is eliminated before chasing the two-time national champion.
After nearly two decades with the Florida Gators, Donovan joined the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015. He’s completing his fourth season with the Bulls, who have yet to win a playoff series during his tenure.
While Donovan has ties to the Wildcats from his years as an assistant to Rick Pitino, he doesn’t appear eager to leave the NBA for a reunion.
Thamel called Baylor head coach Scott Drew a more “realistic” candidate for Kentucky. He believes Drew is “likely to entertain” advances from the SEC program.
Kentucky could also out-spend UConn for Dan Hurley, but that doesn’t mean he’ll leave the Huskies after his second straight trip to the National Championship Game.