Gillispie Might Be Making A Big Mistake

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At the press conference announcing Billy Gillispie’s firing, Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart scoffed at the idea that his department would owe the former coach a full $6 million buyout.

He’s probably not laughing today.

Just a couple of weeks ago, UK sources had hinted that a settlement was about to be reached.

That’s not the case today.

But even though UK might have to spend tons of cash in legal fees to fend off Gillispie’s federal lawsuit — and they also might lose — this looks to be a more dangerous move for Gillispie than for Kentucky.

The coach is all about basketball.  He reportedly has very little life away from the game.  His people skills aren’t the best.

So other than coaching again in the future, what can Gillispie expect to do with his life?  Maybe a $6 million check would be enough to send him into an early Caribbean retirement.  For his sake, he’d better hope so.

Let’s not even discuss the possibility that Gillispie’s suit might not force a settlement with UK.  Let’s not even discuss the fact that Gillispie’s case could go to trial and he could lose.

Let’s just go ahead and assume the case goes to trial and he wins.

His chances for coaching somewhere else will have taken a pretty big hit.

First, ALL of his dirty laundry — what he said to players, how he treated players, what he did away from Rupp Arena and who he did it with — will be aired during the trial.

That’s not likely to wow potential employers.

Second, how many schools would want to hire a coach who sued his last employer?  Even if Gillispie is in the right, someone hiring a basketball coach would probably be just a little bit worried about the coach’s actions.

“What if things don’t work out here?  Will he sue us?”

Third, a courtcase will guarantee that Gillispie remains in the press for a while to come… and not in a good way.  Will that make it easier for potential employers to sell Gillispie to their fans and boosters?  You know the answer to that one.

For Gillispie’s sake, I hope he’s thought all of this through and realizes that he might not just be risking Kentucky’s last buyout offer (supposedly close to $2 million) but also his entire coaching career.