Who should Kentucky basketball hire? Here are 4 swing-big options, plus a fallback plan

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This job is not like other jobs. Meaning this coaching search is expected to be unlike other coaching searches.

When most coaching positions open, you throw big names against the wall in the early days of the search, knowing they probably won’t stick. But this is Kentucky basketball.

You throw big names against the wall with the understanding that one might become John Calipari’s heir.

Calipari’s whopper buyout saddled him to Kentucky after the Wildcats’ first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Oakland. Not anymore, though, as Calipari reportedly prepares to exit out the side door to Arkansas.

This looks like a potential win-win-win for Arkansas, Kentucky and Calipari, and one of the nation’s biggest basketball jobs goes on the market.

Where will Kentucky turn?

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On edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams weigh in on Kentucky’s search to replace Calipari.

Each host offers two swing-for-the-fences candidates, plus fallback options.

TOPPMEYER: Who to replace John Calipari at Kentucky? 5 names on my mind

ADAMS: I thought Tennessee Lady Vols basketball hiring Kim Caldwell was a joke. Why it just might work

Swing big with these candidates

Kelvin Sampson

Houston coach

Here’s why: So what if Sampson is 68 years old? He’s one of the top three coaches in college basketball, with two Final Fours on his résumé and NCAA Tournament trips with four different programs. Imagine what he could do at Kentucky. If he’d give UK five seasons, I think he’d deliver at least one national championship. – Blake Toppmeyer

Dan Hurley

UConn coach

Here’s why: Kentucky’s program deserves only the finest. Hurley is the finest thing going in college basketball. Is he ready for a new challenge after going back-to-back with UConn? Be prepared for Hurley to say no, but you don’t know if you don’t ask. Come armed with a fat, fat check. After all, Calipari saved Kentucky $33 million in…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kentucky-basketball-hire-4-swing-161634543.html

Author : The Tennessean

Publish date : 2024-04-09 16:16:34

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