Let me never forget again!

[letitrainuk]

Take a look at what our Coach G is doing. Write it down, save all the links, whatever. But remember. This is what a winning coach does. For all those that supported OTS through his dull tenure at UK (including myself) and thought that he was doing a good job, WAS WRONG. Im sorry to admit that I really didnt know any better. I was numb I guess you could say to the coaching staff as a whole. Now I see what a coach that wants to coach at UK and wants to win, for not only him and his team but for the entire commonwealth. I wont settle for anything less from here on out. UK basketball has slept long enough. With coach G's desire for the sport of basketall the nation will once again regonize that the NCAA college basketball "KINGS" have there swagger back and are ready to take its seat back at the top. LONG LIVE BILLY G!!! AND LET IT RAIN!!!


Ive posted this on a couple other sites..im just trying to spread my excitemet.

[wade31]

i will save my excitement until some games are won... or does that not matter any more?

[Will Lavender]

He definitely recruits in the manner that a UK coach should.

But believe me: Tubby wanted to win. I personally heard Bill Keightley say that Tubby's staff showed up every day of the week at 6 in the morning and left after midnight. Unless he was fibbing, then they had a certain "drive."

Tubby and his staff just weren't, by the end, doing what it took in the off-season to make winning championships a realistic goal at UK.

[Bluesong]

Great thread. I think the key word here is "complacent". I must admit that I was also in that catagory. I had alot of respect for Tubby as a person and still do. Even as a coach, more than once, he took average players and did great things. UK was still a winning team but I had forgotten the excitement of being champion minded. Complacency was setting in.

I know BCG is yet to prove himself on the court but he has brought with him two old friends that I had forgotten about. Welcome home, excitement and anticipation.

[Wildcatcrazy11]

i will save my excitement until some games are won... or does that not matter any more?

I couldnt agree more. Yes I am excited, but does it really mean anything if we don't win more games next year? Hype does not equal W's.

[crazzedcats22]

i will save my excitement until some games are won... or does that not matter any more?

I agree, winning games is what counts but I think Billy G has done all the right things and is setting us up to win. Obviously we can't talk about our record since the first game is over 6 months away so we have to talk about something on here.

[Littlemeyer]

Personally, I think its much more fun to get excited now. Then, if need be, that excitement level can be adjusted accordingly based on the results on the hardwood.

I'd rather do that than wait until October/November to get excited.

[matt colvin]

Seriously, as a UK fan, how can you not be excited by the turn of events since BCG's hiring??? This is a different team now, and things will improve. As long as it's done with some common sense and a dose of reality, how can you be excited??? :confused:

[Dr. H Lecter]

After seeing BCG's work ethic and recruiting efforts it makes me wonder if Tubby will really enjoy coming out of semi-retirement to coach at UMin.

[CATHEAD]

I couldnt agree more. Yes I am excited, but does it really mean anything if we don't win more games next year? Hype does not equal W's.

You're right, hype doesn't equal wins, but hard work, dedication, and a passion for your job does. Not to mention bringing in top notch talent and an excellent supporting staff. Who can we attribute these characteristics to? One Billy Clyde Gillispie, that's who. And this is not "hype", it is fact.

[poodoo]

He definitely recruits in the manner that a UK coach should.

But believe me: Tubby wanted to win. I personally heard Bill Keightley say that Tubby's staff showed up every day of the week at 6 in the morning and left after midnight. Unless he was fibbing, then they had a certain "drive."

Tubby and his staff just weren't, by the end, doing what it took in the off-season to make winning championships a realistic goal at UK.

Excellent post, Will.

Too, naturally, wade31 is right is that it is the WINS that will matter. Having said that, I agree with Littlemeyer that being excited now is a GOOD thing for the UK basketball program.

By the way, I honestly don't believe that ANY coach would be matching Coach Gillispie's EFFORT, ENTHUSIASM, and PASSION as he recruits for the Kentucky program. Once again, I think Coach Gilispie is the PERFECT hire (although, yes, he must obviously win games here), for his recruiting assets are OFF THE CHART, and THAT was the area in which we had been struggling at least PART of the time.

Again, I am not sure ANY COACH would compare favorably with Coach Gillispie in that regard. To be fair, Gillispie not only has that special passion for basketball recruiting, but he also does not have to share some of his hours with family. That is certainly a "plus" for a man who loves basketball as Gillispie does AND a "plus" for our basketball program.

Yes, still again, I am QUITE impressed with this hire. Gillispie's recruiting efforts, specifically, have been stellar.

[Dampier]

Tubby Smith has been gone a relativley short time. I think as time goes on and fans see the difference in Billy G and OTS, even the OTS diehards shall begin to see just how OTS was not getting the job done.

It is ridiculous to think that OTS will NOT be brought up in posts from time to time and even daily. OTS leaving was and is big news. Some OTS diehards are still in denial and believe that he was the greatest.

I would care to venture that when all is said and done, OTS will be in the same file as Sutton in regards to history. Yes, yes, yes, OTS was the coach for the 98 NCCA Championship. But, on the other hand, he let the farm get grown up in weeds, thistles, and cedar trees. Besides that, he didn't put up hay for the winter. He was too arrogant.

Anyways, regardless, I put OTS in the same file as Sutton. Others may not, and that is THEIR choice and belief. I tell ya what, I am just so glad for the Kentucky Basketball Program that OTS has moved on. Now we can get back to the business of being the Kentucky Wildcats!