Kentucky hires Hawaii assistant

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith has hired Hawaii assistant Scott Rigot to fill a vacancy on his staff. <br> <br> Hawaii coach Riley Wallace confirmed the move in Wednesday&#39;s editions of the Lexington Herald-Leader. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s a big (void) because if he&#39;s good enough for Kentucky, obviously he&#39;s good enough for us,&#39;&#39; Riley told the newspaper. <br> <br> Rigot declined comment Tuesday night. <br> <br> ``Coach Smith wanted me to refer all calls to him,&#39;&#39; Rigot said. ``He said he&#39;ll deal with it.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Brooks Downing, Kentucky&#39;s director of media relations, acknowledged that Rigot had been offered the job and that a formal announcement would be made Friday or Saturday. <br> <br> Rigot, 39, worked with Smith on George Felton&#39;s South Carolina staff in the late 1980s. He joined the Hawaii staff three years ago and helped lead the Rainbows to two NCAA tournament appearances. <br> <br> Wallace described Rigot as an excellent recruiter, especially internationally, and strong floor coach. <br> <br> ``He identifies with young kids,&#39;&#39; Wallace said. ``And he&#39;s a good salesman.&#39;&#39;