LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky is still looking for a men's basketball coach as of Thursday afternoon after a top candidate turned down the job.
According to multiple reports, Baylor head coach Scott Drew met with Kentucky officials Wednesday and was offered the job, but decided Thursday morning to remain in Waco. So where does UK go from here?
Drew was considered by many to the be front-runner for the job. His decision to pass created a big shift in the betting odds.
Here the latest odds to replace John Calipari, as of Thursday at 1:30 p.m., according to betkentucky.com. Keep in mind these odds can change quickly.
Billy Donovan (Chicago Bulls) +220
Tommy Lloyd (Arizona) +500
Mark Pope (BYU) +900
T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State) +900
Bruce Pearl (Auburn) +1500
Shaka Smart (Marquette) +1500
Brad Underwood (Illinois) +2000
Rick Pitino (St. John's) +2000
The Field +800
Donovan won back-to-back national championships at Florida in 2006 and 2007. He left in 2015 for the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder where he led them to the Western Conference Finals in his first season, but hasn't won a playoff series since.
He's in his third season as the Bulls head coach.
Lloyd guided the Wildcats to a 27-9 record this season - his third at Arizona. He advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second time in two years.
He was previously an assistant at Gonzaga for over 20 years. He was named AP Coach of the Year in 2022.
Another big name no longer on the board is Alabama's Nate Oats. Like Drew, he opted this week to stay put.
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