LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Billy Gillispie is out as Kentucky's basketball coach, ending a tumultuous two years at the head of college basketball's all-time winningest program. The university said Friday it will announce "a change in the head coaching position of the men's basketball program" at a 4:30 p.m. news conference.
University president Lee T. Todd Jr. and athletic director Mitch Barnhart are expected to attend.
Gillispie was 40-27 at Kentucky and had a seven-year deal, which stipulated he would receive a $6 million buyout if he were let go after two seasons.
He led the Wildcats to a 22-14 record this season and Kentucky failed to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991. The Wildcats season ended Wednesday with a loss to Notre Dame in the National Invitation Tournament quarterfinals.
When asked after that loss if he expected to be back, Gillispie said the decision wasn't up to him.
"You're asking the wrong guy," he said. "All I know is to go to work, recruit, coach and that's what I did, that's what I've done and that's what I'll continue to do."
Gillispie's job security appeared to be in jeopardy after the Wildcats stumbled down the stretch, losing eight of their final 11 regular season games to squander a perfect 5-0 start in Southeastern Conference play. A quarterfinal loss to LSU in the SEC tournament followed, relegating Kentucky to the NIT.
Thursday
March 27th, 2025
9:53PM
