CBS Sports’ Seth Davis Names His Top Candidate to Replace Calipari at Kentucky | The Rich Eisen Show

[@patrickmitchell4134]

He is not a great basketball coach. He is a great recruiter.

[@gkniffen]

Yup. Big difference.

[@drewwilson6639]

Once upon a time, he was, not sure what happened

[@ashfrog8]

His rep as a “great recruiter” didn’t start until he met William Wesley.

[@rushmore3927]

If Cal would have focused on team building and coaching, rather than NBA player development, none of this would probably be happening. A good coach shifted over the past six year to pure NBA development. Hopefully he changes back to more team focus, or the Hogs will see the same results, like over the second half of Cal's KY tenure.

[@dr.awkward9075]

As a UK fan I want to say good riddance, but i appreciate coach Calipari's time in Lexington. What was frustrating was his inability to make in game adjustments. The last 5 years have been rough.

[@ericstevens8744]

This was the best outcome

[@ladybassplayer23]

The last 5 years has been tough

[@jameshenson4089]

I agree. I just hope Billy Donovan comes 😆

[@idkjames]

Yeah, also 18 million buyout for oates is not a non starter we saved 33 mil on cal leaving

[@shalom8858]

Arkansas is stuck with fail and bail basketball now. Kentucky is the big winner today.

[@Jims-sj2tr]

Buzz Williams,Texas A M , would be great , love his energy and kids love him. Beat UK twice this year

[@garymacmillan]

Calipari better get a very, very good Assistant because he hasn't worked the game hard for years and years. Your read of that guy is disappointing.

[@23Robusto]

I do not pretend to know the X's and O's of Basketball but those who do, show over and over Kentucky players making poor decisions on the floor. That's on the coach. No doubt, Calipari is a great recruiter. His acumen however, as a coach is highly suspect.

[@jdtaxpayer801]

Calipari is NOT a good coach, a good recruiter but that's it. Very few coaches have had his talent the past several years and done so less. He under achieved as a coach and had Pitno been coaching at KY with the same talent he would have had a significantly better record and tournament record.

[@rainydaydiva6320]

We’d have at least 2 more banners hanging in the rafters if Pitino had all those 5 star recruits.

[@stewartbrashear5705]

Rick Pitino. Hands down

[@jamesburgin8168]

Rick Pitino would be a great fallback option if Billy Donovan or Hurley turn Kentucky down.

[@ericstevens8744]

I’m hearing Billy Donovan would Listen if Mitch called him

[@Dave-zl2ky]

Because the Bulls fans want him gone. Forget about it.

[@jameshenson4089]

Saying Scott Drew is Mitch's pick. I hope they would at least give Billy Donovan an interview lol

[@kurhof0]

right, cause you are in the know....

[@hdnw7537]

​@@jameshenson4089 I hate the idea of Drew coming to UK. Don't want him. He's underachieving at Baylor too and only one because covid locked a few of his players from going to the NBA

[@karenstacymayne4156]

I would prefer him over Drew. Yes he did win a national title, but that was right after the pandemic, and he hasn’t done much since.

[@brandon2107]

I don't think Drew has the personality for the Kentucky job.

[@hdnw7537]

He doesn't. And he hasn't had much success either. Covid got him his ship. Fool's gold

[@gregoryevans8179]

When Coach Robic left UK that hurt them bad. He was the glue that held the staff together.

[@hdnw7537]

Been saying it forever

[@gregoryevans8179]

It was the same here in Memphis.

[@Michael-mt1zq]

You’re exactly right. Ironically he was on my plane flying back from Detroit last year and I told him it hadn’t been the same without him. He never said one bad word about Cal. Super nice guy.

[@armathis2647]

Cal is a nba recruiter period

[@timlanham3405]

I going to start eating Tyson chicken, just to say thank you.

[@jdavenport1805]

"They had a great season" who the hell was Seth watching?

[@jeremywarren5748]

I wouldn’t call 3 straight home losses for the first time ever, great.

[@jacyo3076]

Nobody in the state of Kentucky under the age of 55, wants Scott Drew.

[@JusBellAndAri]

Agreed

[@brob8204]

Who do y'all want?

[@davidmcconnell8005]

Or OVER 55!

[@Baloothepibble]

Billy D, Hurley, Brad Stevens

[@joshbright1770]

@@Baloothepibble What has Billy d done in the last 10 years in college…….. nothing the game is different now with nil and the same goes for Steven’s I don’t think Hurley leaves UConn unfortunately but I’d be okay with oats or pearl

[@conrailhbgline]

The thing I've noticed about Calipari teams lately is they have zero basketball IQ. They just don't make good decisions, play way to individualistically, which I guess is to be expected for 1&dones. That type of stuff doesn't win tournament games, SEC or NCAA, though.

[@michaeljmobley]

I don't really see it that way as a UK fan. In fact this year's team was highly athletic and talented and one of the best offensive teams in the country and couldn't play a lick of defense. Calipari's teams were actually pretty good at defense because they were so long and athletic. And I think the fanbase was just disgusted with how he wasted such a talented group of players who didn't seem to know how to play any defense whatsoever.

[@michaeljmobley]

@@hilljack6765 The didn't know how to defend it could they?

[@wsteele5864]

If Billy Donovan were to come to Kentucky, people will be doodling clown faces on Cal's pictures from that day forward.

[@mgers75]

If Nate Oat is the homerun "would kill it at UK" guy Seth alludes to. Then theyll make that 18 mill investment without blinking.

[@ericstevens8744]

Your 33 million times right in your assessment

[@theclamhammer4447]

That 33 million is just money owed over a contractual period had the contract been fulfilled. Y’all actin like UK just got a check for 33 mil that’s instantly available to use.

[@mgers75]

@@theclamhammer4447 Well the UK sources in the know said when it looked like Cal getting fired was inevitable that the Big $$ boosters would be prepared to make that 33 buyout when everyone thought it was a lump sum payment. But TXAM paid $70m to get rid of the FB coach so money will always be ther in desperate times

[@gingobellz4800]

Nate oates isn't leaving. Kentucky is getting Scott Drew

[@joshjenkins4626]

Sorry Oats is staying.

[@virgil5650]

Mitch...stay away from Scott Drew and Bruce Pearl

[@Pete391]

Oh I wouldnt mind Pearl...

[@tj3742]

Fans don't want the same results, better be a home run hire or Mitch needs to go as well

[@bobbyosborne2375]

It's gonna end up being Scott Drew. I've got a gut feeling it's going to be Drew. We need to get Dan Hurley. Full stop.

[@hdnw7537]

Thank you. Drew is a dud. Fool's gold. Chris Beard is my favorite option tbh because it's the most realistic and would, imho, lead to a lot of success

[@bassFischer600]

Yeah boy!

[@stephenandluisa]

The media made tang a candidate for the job, he never was considered by Arkansas

[@jakemeyer8317]

Cal has Seth Davis on the payroll

[@doctordistracto8390]

God Scott Drew would be such a nightmare for Kentucky fans. Look at how many of his seasons were either no postseason, NIT, or first weekend exit, it's almost every season of his career. And then he won a bubble tournament. With the frustration already built up I can't picture a Scott Drew type lasting 5 years bumbling around. Someone will have to come in and do what Calipari did and be an immediate winner and unfortunately I don't think that exists in the ncaa right now aside from Calipari himself. Probably Hurley or bust and we'll be having this talk again in 3-4 years.

[@BlackHeron89]

Not Scott Drew lord no

[@hdnw7537]

Thank you. Drew is a dud. He's the exact opposite of Cal personality wise but also mirrors him in lack of success.

[@joshjenkins4626]

Kentucky might find out the grass isnt always greener. Saying that you're not getting Oats.

[@jasonstockdale328]

What? 2 round 64 loss, 1 32, and 9-16 record in the last 4 years. Scott drew is a better coach. He’s probably the guy. He’s won a ship in the last 4 years. John calipari is Bobby knight, a has been

[@joshjenkins4626]

@@jasonstockdale328 he's had some tough tournaments yes. Is he a great coach? No. Is he a great recruiter? Yes. Still a hall of famer. Just saying what if the same happens with the next coach and Cal takes Arkansas to a championship?

[@jasonstockdale328]

@@joshjenkins4626 it was time to go. Kentucky is bigger than John calipari

[@joshjenkins4626]

@@jasonstockdale328 a school isn't bigger than the coach. Alabama learned that before Saban.

[@jasonstockdale328]

@@joshjenkins4626 bear Bryant? Yes Kentucky basketball has been elite before calipari. Question Kentucky is a top 3 program of all time, is John calipari a top 3 all time coach? Rupp and pitino were better coaches at Kentucky.

[@terriingram6622]

I think Scott Drew is too passive and not thick skinned enough to handle the BBN

[@cdub1955]

The Black and Blue Nation

[@barronfinley3062]

to be honest Cal has flamed out the last 5 years in the tournament

[@jimcooper479]

Jay Right

[@theblakex]

or Jay Wright

[@Dub-ro9tk]

@@theblakex Rong.

[@vinceedwards575]

What is Rich talking about "a lot of chicken for a buyout".. THERE IS NOT A BUYOUT... HELLO..WAKE UP

[@Dub-ro9tk]

It's amazing how little the national media know about the actual details of any story.

[@JScaggs21]

It's bc he took Tyson chicken money (Ark donor)over sticking around for a potential buyout.

[@whitneywilliamson7384]

Here's my list of canadates but who am I lol 1 scot drew 2 bruce pearl 3 Billy donovan 4 Tom izzo 5 south Carolinas head coach forgot his name but I like him alot

[@jumahbrady670]

Lamont Paris Head coach of South Carolina

[@stever1791]

Scott Drew would be great Choice. that guy can X & O

[@kentuckyking4343]

Life ling Kentucky resident and we want Rick back. He was great here n we would love to piss on Louisville any chance we get

[@Bormannator]

Juwan howard should be the new Kentucky head coach. He will take that program to new places.

[@ryanwilliams4368]

To hell lol

[@justinmoody7395]

New lows

[@williamphillips3035]

Why not Kevin Ollie? He actually won a championship

[@theblakex]

Funny

[@zackamania6534]

April Fools was last week

[@00justincredible00]

honest question .. why does nobody ever mention Shaka Smart or Buzz? .. i would absolutely love either one of them in KY .. especially Buzz

[@Coachjgray1]

Thanks cal- see ya cal- thanks for having a interview talking about your team and saying your staying , and 2 days later pull this. Although let ESPN, your agent contacts Ohio state in February with interest and they wanted to hire a coach before the tourney- ESPN reported today- Bruce pearl - has more wins at milwaulkee, Auburn and Tennessee, than Cal had at , amass, Memphis and UK. Bring in pearl- not to long ago- he was one of the top coaches. And has 2 to 1 ratio of wins and losses and fricken Auburn- 2 sec titles and regular Season titles. Bring him on! And he is funny !!

[@MikeSloan01]

Not sold on Scott Drew. Yeah good for Baylor, but being in Lex takes a special person. And the expectations are insanely high.

[@davidpilkerton5209]

Kentucky fans don't want Scott Drew, I would give up my tickets and become a Louisville fan

[@thecliffold5879]

Get Rick Pitino! He almost best UCONN in conference tournament!

[@jumahbrady670]

Go St John's

[@jamesburgin8168]

I remember how Rick Pitino rejuvenated Kentucky after they were put on probation and I would love to see him back as well!

[@stanleyallen6359]

Rick Pitino!!

[@smit7120]

No way Bruce P

[@raybowles8587]

All the media kept saying Louisville needed to give Kenny Payne more time. Well lets see the media get behind KY hiring Kenny Payne. But we know that would never happen, because we all know Kenny just not ready for a top notch school. But I think it's funny how silent the media is on Kenny Payne. They wanted him to stay at Louisville, but now that he is free.....SILENCE. Scott Drew turned down Louisville and Baylor didn't make the tournament this year. Can't seeing fans happy with him. Personally, if KY wants to get back to dominance, they need either Billy Donovan, Rick Pitino or UConn coach. Otherwise, I don't think the fans will be happy.

[@ryanbrown8200]

Baylor was most definitely in the NCAA tournament this year. Actually won a game unlike UK.

[@jamesburgin8168]

Yep. The best option would be Billy Donovan, but I think both Hurley and Pitino would do quite nicely as well.

[@raybowles8587]

@@jamesburgin8168 Feeling sorry for KY fans today, Mark Pope new coach? WOW.

[@jamesburgin8168]

@@raybowles8587 I've been a Kentucky fan since the days of Joe B. Hall. So, if I'm not unhappy with this selection then I don't know why you should think otherwise. Mark Pope is a solid selection and I look forward to next season.

[@Bsb0830]

It’s not what you know but who you know

[@steamdonkey56]

You’re right I don’t think a six time defensive MVP could pull something like that off…lol

[@dwphillips42]

ive said it will be scott drew as soon as i heard Cal was leaving.

[@jadedequeljoe3283]

These geographical mega conferences won’t last. The travel is absurd. Fan intrest? How many UCLA fans do you think are going to travel cross country for the Rutgers game?

[@mercurysimple3850]

Hiring scott drew would like hiring billy gillispe 2.0 Kentucky not a good fit for drew. Jist my 2 cents worth

[@dwaynemoore1575]

Rick Pitino

[@kurhof0]

as a Kentucky fan I HATE Bruce Pearl. The thought of him jumping around on the sideline in a blue blazer makes me sick....But, the reason I hate him is because he has been a major thorn in the BBN side for years. that said, 🤮 he might be ok...🤢

[@TiggerLyOne]

Wish Cal would learn from Rich's fav Harbough and hire "quality" assistant coaches to help him.

[@armathis2647]

Not Scott drew please no

[@SilverSergeant]

Tang was never a candidate.

[@jamesburgin8168]

Billy Donovan, Dan Hurley or Rick Pitino...in that order.

[@robmetcalfe8902]

Billy Donavan

[@AntiMTVMovement]

I don’t find it shocking that Cal left. He admitted to a friend that he regretted turning down the UCLA gig in 2019.

[@bmseven2191]

😯

[@user-wh1if8mt6d]

Rajon Rondo would be dynamite for the players!! Just surround yourself with the right staff!! It's outside the box. Not sure what Scott Drew is going to do, but hey good luck!!

[@osvaldobarnecet565]

A real good coach does great with less .No more excuses! I’m glad he is gone ! Go BiG BlUE

[@kurhof0]

Dan Hurley could get double the pay in Lexington......

[@82dupont]

Why would you want Hurley? Based on all the comments I have been reading lately UConn is nowhere near the program that Kentucky is, so leave Hurley at UConn and go find a better coach.

[@kurhof0]

@@82dupont I never said that. Uconn is a great program. Kentucky definitely has more history and tradition.... And is in a better conference with more money to throw around.. I would love for UK's program to be where Uconns program is TODAY.

[@onepiston5956]

Will Wade checks every box and is economical.

[@jameshenson4089]

Billy Donovan I hope

[@onepiston5956]

@@jameshenson4089 also a solid pick. But he is under a brand new multi-year contract extension with the Bulls. Would cost multi millions to get out of. Definitely more money than Mitch Barnhart wants to write a check for.

[@JusBellAndAri]

Screw economical that will get you NITs

[@onepiston5956]

@@JusBellAndAri Calipari’s winning percentage over the past five years at UK is 67%. Will Wade‘s last five years at LSU was a winning percentage of exactly the same at 67%.

[@joshbright1770]

Will wade hasn’t proven anything and he has a show clause penalty also I believe

[@randybowen7044]

What about buzz Williams from Texas a&m, dude plays great defense and with the Kentucky brand he would get some great offensive talent

[@erinmichaels8195]

I don't want Scott Drew....

[@phillipjohnson8241]

Calipari sucks as a coach lol. Hes a recruiter only

[@johnmartin3200]

Mark Pope to be new coach

[@earlcraig7507]

Rondo wants to coach KY THINK ABOUT it

[@w9gb]

Seth plays, “Who’s Next?”

[@hotelalphawhiskeykilogrunt7925]

Scott Drew would be a disaster coaching hire if that is who Mitch hires they both will be fired together! They’s two names honestly with a third that is far out Billy D And Dan Hurley The far out is the return of Rick pitino but he’s 71 and idk how much longer he has in him. Drew has had a few good seasons other than that he’s got a worst winning % than cal does he’s been average at best and bad at other times.

[@karenstacymayne4156]

I hope you are wrong! I don’t think he’s all that. But then again I don’t know who is. I know the job here is extremely tough. And sadly, I’m one of the reasons. I didn’t expect an NCAA title every single year or even to get to the final four every single year, but I did not expect to lose home games every year and more than just one. And I didn’t like not performing well in the SEC tournament in the last years. I didn’t want Cal to leave, I wanted him to change his ways, and that just was not going to happen. Right before the NCAA tournament started, it might have been Right before our game so maybe a little after it started he bragged about how many kids he brought to Kentucky and who are now in the NBA, and how much money that they have made in the billions. That’s a way to recruit guys that’s for sure. But I got tired of supplying the NBA with players and not winning titles on top of that.

[@user-ek8xf2ks3z]

What about mark few from gonzaga l belive that he would be abgreat basktball coach and fact thatlhavezeen his team play

[@michaelcanada757]

We never made an offer to Tang. JS.

[@Dub-ro9tk]

Drew is going to be a terrible hire. Mitch Barnhart really needs to be leaving the building with Cal. They deserve each other.

[@nickperkins8477]

Chicken booster recruitment for The Hogs.

[@richardsnyder842]

Kelvin Keats????

[@zackamania6534]

Has your school’s coach entered the transfer portal?

[@algernon5776]

Wow Seth Davis is an apologist for the failed Coach Calipari.

[@glassover6420]

He's not a great coach he was a good recruiter because he made promises and held to his word.

[@woody2875]

gambling scandal coming to lexington..just watch kentucky's last 3 games..calipari getting out before the ncaa drops the hammer

[@davidshepherd5536]

Get out before you can !!

[@brob8204]

Do you mean get out while you can? Just curious.

[@stephenandluisa]

Pope goes the weasel

[@randyscalf6755]

I personally don't want Scott drew

[@lorenzohaynes3886]

I doubt Drew would take that job.

[@theblakex]

He would take it in a second. Best opportunity of his life.

[@bookertee3057]

Brad Stevens

[@Potts87_Thor_RIP_Adp]

Cal can’t coach anymore!! he went to Arkansas because they got millions of dollars to spend on NIL, he can’t win with mediocre players. We saw that with the Nerlens Noel team too ,he put his tail under his legs and ran outta RUPP! Can’t wait to start this new fresh start. Can’t wait to play Arkansas next season… haha Cat Food

[@surelythiswasnotused]

I think Nate Oates is worth the buyout

[@sharifzubair1]

Seth Davis a kentucky hater (duke alum)....Scott drew!! Wtf

[@donakers8485]

Why would anyone listen 2 anything seth davis says?

[@cdub1955]

Not going to happen

[@boootybounce420]

whoooo caressss

[@vinceedwards575]

I can't imagine leaving Arkansas to live ANY place in California. It's a total garbage state.

[@user-hz4iu3fk9q]

You have no imagination

[@HKim0072]

Wait, this is a joke?

[@jakepadgett5569]

You don’t need an imagination to know that the usc campus is smack dab right in the middle of the ghetto . Usc is in a trashy ghetto. UCLA is in a nicer part of town but I wouldn’t go anywhere near the usc campus without a gun or security.

[@user-hz4iu3fk9q]

USC extremely difficult to get accepted! There isn’t a school in Arkansas that comes near it. So, I’m not surprised your imagination is being challenged

[@lyledavis7175]

I can’t imagine existing in Arkansas (Connecticut native)

[@phillipjohnson8241]

Kentucky Football has grown in the state of KENTUCKY. They play for UK and to win. UK Basketball died when Pitino left. Just keep Mark Stoops

[@northeastkentuckyoutdoors6455]

They’ll bewanting to fire him too by end of December

[@kendonwalden1101]

It's gotta be Rick or Billy D

[@curtistay8307]

How about them hogs

[@peeloffrecords8496]

Y’all will either live on high or be extremely disappointed

[@kendonwalden1101]

UK fanbase does NOT want scott.drew or pearl

[@Toodmyrick]

Why do you think he left YA it was for the money stop acting like your shocked it's always about the money