Why Scott Drew was never a fit in the first place

[KAB Cats]

A lot of UK fans taking hits in the national media for not being high on Scott Drew. Quite frankly they were always wrong. This is why:

1. Drew's overall record has been unimpressive. Yes, it's true he overachieved at Baylor. He built a great program. But since his national championship, he's also had three straight 2nd round exits. Even if we wait 7 years to "forgive" the time it took to rebuild (2010), his record from 2010-2020 would likely have not been kosher at Kentucky
2. Drew never wins a title without Covid. Obviously, he did win a title, but the point here is that the unexpected return of key players is an anomaly that led to unexpected results. The argumentative among us point to the NBA lockout leading to Kentucky success in 2012 (because D. Lamb and T. Jones returned). That's also not necessarily incorrect because it's the truth. It's also more forgivable if there were past results (like Final 4's) before this season, however it's also Drew's sole Final 4.
3. The cultural fit is bad. Kentucky holds itself in the same regard as the New York Yankees or LA Lakers. What we want is a coach whose goal is to maintain and advance the tradition of Kentucky basketball. This is a hot take that no one wants to say out loud. The goal of our program is not to spread Christ's message. We've had enough of winning by proxy. It's really not much different than Calipari claiming the point of coaching was to get players to the NBA. Basketball is a sport. You play to win the game. The players want to win the game. That is the goal.

To my UK fans, no this is not awful news. Longterm, it will turn out to be great news. He was never a fit in the first place.

 

[Jazzycat]

I also think the microscopic fishbowl would have been too much for Drew and his family. His kids are in high school and taking them away from their friends and family is not always the best move. Family should always be the first consideration, imo and I applaud Scott Drew for making that a priority.

UK will find the right guy for job. Hopefully, they will be able to secure that person sooner rather later…GBB!

 

[howitis]

Drew should never have been considered. We saw what he was for 22yeara and it wasn't ky caliber.

 

[W1LDCAT22]

A lot of UK fans taking hits in the national media for not being high on Scott Drew. Quite frankly they were always wrong. This is why:

1. Drew's overall record has been unimpressive. Yes, it's true he overachieved at Baylor. He built a great program. But since his national championship, he's also had three straight 2nd round exits. Even if we wait 7 years to "forgive" the time it took to rebuild (2010), his record from 2010-2020 would likely have not been kosher at Kentucky
2. Drew never wins a title without Covid. Obviously, he did win a title, but the point here is that the unexpected return of key players is an anomaly that led to unexpected results. The argumentative among us point to the NBA lockout leading to Kentucky success in 2012 (because D. Lamb and T. Jones returned). That's also not necessarily incorrect because it's the truth. It's also more forgivable if there were past results (like Final 4's) before this season, however it's also Drew's sole Final 4.
3. The cultural fit is bad. Kentucky holds itself in the same regard as the New York Yankees or LA Lakers. What we want is a coach whose goal is to maintain and advance the tradition of Kentucky basketball. This is a hot take that no one wants to say out loud. The goal of our program is not to spread Christ's message. We've had enough of winning by proxy. It's really not much different than Calipari claiming the point of coaching was to get players to the NBA. Basketball is a sport. You play to win the game. The players want to win the game. That is the goal.

To my UK fans, no this is not awful news. Longterm, it will turn out to be great news. He was never a fit in the first place.

I was actually relieved he said no. I also believe he knew all of this as well.

 

[MegaBlue05]

I think it’s a combo of bad fit for his family (wife is shy, MIL lives with them, they’re devout Baptists who shun alcohol and this state is literally known for our alcohol) and the job is simply too big for Drew.

 

[KAB Cats]

I think it’s a combo of bad fit for his family (wife is shy, MIL lives with them, they’re devout Baptists who shun alcohol and this state is literally known for our alcohol) and the job is simply too big for Drew.

And I didn't even mention the fact that our guy Drew doesn't drink or gamble and is being dropped into horse and bourbon country.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

And I didn't even mention the fact that our guy Drew doesn't drink or gamble and is being dropped into horse and bourbon country.

Oh, YOU’RE the guy who sold Mitch on Billy Gillespie!!! Shame!!!

 

[KAB Cats]

Oh, YOU’RE the guy who sold Mitch on Billy Gillespie!!! Shame!!!

Well, that's the extreme in the other direction. Im not saying we go after degenerate gamblers and alcoholics.

Just, like, cool people

 

[know1]

A lot of UK fans taking hits in the national media for not being high on Scott Drew. Quite frankly they were always wrong. This is why:

1. Drew's overall record has been unimpressive. Yes, it's true he overachieved at Baylor. He built a great program. But since his national championship, he's also had three straight 2nd round exits. Even if we wait 7 years to "forgive" the time it took to rebuild (2010), his record from 2010-2020 would likely have not been kosher at Kentucky
2. Drew never wins a title without Covid. Obviously, he did win a title, but the point here is that the unexpected return of key players is an anomaly that led to unexpected results. The argumentative among us point to the NBA lockout leading to Kentucky success in 2012 (because D. Lamb and T. Jones returned). That's also not necessarily incorrect because it's the truth. It's also more forgivable if there were past results (like Final 4's) before this season, however it's also Drew's sole Final 4.
3. The cultural fit is bad. Kentucky holds itself in the same regard as the New York Yankees or LA Lakers. What we want is a coach whose goal is to maintain and advance the tradition of Kentucky basketball. This is a hot take that no one wants to say out loud. The goal of our program is not to spread Christ's message. We've had enough of winning by proxy. It's really not much different than Calipari claiming the point of coaching was to get players to the NBA. Basketball is a sport. You play to win the game. The players want to win the game. That is the goal.

To my UK fans, no this is not awful news. Longterm, it will turn out to be great news. He was never a fit in the first place.

He possibly would have won 2 titles without Covid.

 

[Jakerz]

Low testosterone like Mitch

 

[KyLegacy]

I don’t hate the fit but don’t think it was great. So I’m not too worried about him turning it down.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Well, that's the extreme in the other direction. Im not saying we go after degenerate gamblers and alcoholics.

Just, like, cool people

LOL

Oh, gambling is cool. Thanks. It just never looks cool. So, it helps to have an insider’s perspective.

 

[KFuqua]

And I didn't even mention the fact that our guy Drew doesn't drink or gamble and is being dropped into horse and bourbon country.

Good grief...there's definitely nothing wrong with someone who doesn't drink and gamble. Some people are smart enough to stay away from both and there are many people in Kentucky that don't do either.

 

[MissingWCC]

Good grief...there's definitely nothing wrong with someone who doesn't drink and gamble. Some people are smart enough to stay away from both and there are many people in Kentucky that don't do either.

I don't do either of those things because I have an addictive personality and they would destroy me, but I don't think ill of people that enjoy them.
The idea that choices should be taken away from individuals by those that think their way of life is better is where the line should be drawn.
I say if you are a good person and don't force your beliefs on others that's a difficult enough thing to do.

 

[Snarks0]

100% on all points, was leading toward disaster. Baylor is a perfect fit for him, not UK.

 

[qwesley]

Drew was not my choice but he is tougher than some of you are implying. I respect him not wanting to move his family at such a financial impact. Mitch should have understood that element more.

 

[ukfan1622]

He was never my first choice but anybody that thinks he did a rebuild at Baylor is simply wrong on the facts. A rebuild is when a team that had been good sometime in the past 50 years is down and a coach builds them back up. That's not what happened at Baylor.

 

[KAB Cats]

He was never my first choice but anybody that thinks he did a rebuild at Baylor is simply wrong on the facts. A rebuild is when a team that had been good sometime in the past 50 years is down and a coach builds them back up. That's not what happened at Baylor.

You're right. It was just a slow creep to mediocrity.

 

[KFuqua]

I don't do either of those things because I have an addictive personality and they would destroy me, but I don't think ill of people that enjoy them.
The idea that choices should be taken away from individuals by those that think their way of life is better is where the line should be drawn.
I say if you are a good person and don't force your beliefs on others that's a difficult enough thing to do.

I'm not for forcing things on others either, but for people to crap all over the man because he doesn't gamble or drink is a bit much.

 

[KAB Cats]

I don't do either of those things because I have an addictive personality and they would destroy me, but I don't think ill of people that enjoy them.
The idea that choices should be taken away from individuals by those that think their way of life is better is where the line should be drawn.
I say if you are a good person and don't force your beliefs on others that's a difficult enough thing to do.

I think that's fair. I get people have to be careful with habits. I kind of posted that part tongue in cheek. The more I read about Drew though the more it was clear that religion was his primary motivating factor in coaching.

To each their own with religion. That's not to say coaches can't be religious, but most coaches don't write books about faith and make slogans about faith their tagline. Of course, that's because he was a Baptist school, but that's kind of my point why he wasn't a good fit.

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

We all know the incredible job Scott Drew did building Baylor up from the mess he inherited. He has elevated that program. However, once you reach a level of success, you are expected to maintain that consistently. He proved to win a National Championship in the 2021 season during a pandemic. When his teams routinely flame out of the first weekend more often than they are a legit threat to win the National Championship, only 2 Conference Championships and no Big 12 Tournament Titles with multiple seasons of 10+ losses...Not the standard here nor is it better than what Cal did. If Drew is already able to land top recruiting classes, not sold on the argument the resources at Kentucky will all of a sudden make a huge difference for him when he was already getting the players.

IMO you have to go all-in for Donovan and let him get back into the College Game with the championship pedigree that he brings or find an up and comer that can be the next Donovan, Hurley or Pitino. I don't want to hire a big-name coach for the hell of doing so without the resume to back it up. People like Jones throw around names like Sean Miller in tier 2 of coaches but here is the thing. He can recruit well but Elite 8's are his ceiling. Already been to basketball school with Arizona. Shaka Smart hasn't done anything in the tournament since VCU.

 

[thebluestripes]

This place isnt for everyone and thats ok. I'm glad drew chose what was best for him before accepting the job and regretting it later. I respect choosing family over money. No hard feelings on my part and hope he does really well down there.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

He was scared off by passionate fans. He would have folded quickly.

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

Another absurd thread denigrating Drew as ever even being considered. You think he would have been a bad fit at UK? Dan Hurley would be a stranger in a strange land in KY. He's caught lightning the last two years but, his career before was nothing special. But, I get it, he's the flash in the pan hot name right now so....

 

[KAB Cats]

Another absurd thread denigrating Drew as ever even being considered. You think he would have been a bad fit at UK? Dan Hurley would be a stranger in a strange land in KY. He's caught lightning the last two years but, his career before was nothing special. But, I get it, he's the flash in the pan hot name right now so....

Yes because if there is one thing that's evident it's that fast-talking coaches from the North East can't make it in Lexington, KY.

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

Yes because if there is one thing that's evident it's that fast-talking coaches from the North East can't make it in Lexington, KY.

So, I take it you think Hurley would be Pitino 2.0?
That was a different time, totally different set of circumstances and by all accounts two totally different personalities.
I can guarantee you that as much as Drew's wife and family are comfortable in Waco and would prefer to stay there, the same is true of Hurley's family. BTW, apparently he has said his wife makes all the decisions in the family and once forced him to decline a job offer. Yep, sounds like she would fit in just about like Joanne did in KY.

 

[KAB Cats]

So, I take it you think Hurley would be Pitino 2.0?
That was a different time, totally different set of circumstances and by all accounts two totally different personalities.
I can guarantee you that as much as Drew's wife and family are comfortable in Waco and would prefer to stay there, the same is true of Hurley's family. BTW, apparently he has said his wife makes all the decisions in the family and once forced him to decline a job offer. Yep, sounds like she would fit in just about like Joanne did in KY.

I think he could be better to be honest, but Hurley probably leaves after 3-4 years. And Im good with that.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Stupid thread

 

[MegaBlue05]

Good grief...there's definitely nothing wrong with someone who doesn't drink and gamble. Some people are smart enough to stay away from both and there are many people in Kentucky that don't do either.

How’s the view atop that high horse?

 

[MissingWCC]

I'm not for forcing things on others either, but for people to crap all over the man because he doesn't gamble or drink is a bit much.

I didn't mean to imply that you were. I don't see that in your post. I'm just talking in general. Historically most major religions have done so.

 

[jeffky]

His family means more than a coaching job lets move on

 

[KFuqua]

How’s the view atop that high horse?

How do you see that as being on a high horse? I didn't say anything bad about anyone. I just stated that saying the man isn't suitable for Kentucky because he doesn't drink and gamble is just ridiculous!

 

[BluestBlood]

Long story short…
UK coaches usually play Villians to most of the country and sometimes to our own fan base and he doesn’t look like a bad guy.

 

[KFuqua]

I didn't mean to imply that you were. I don't see that in your post. I'm just talking in general. Historically most major religions have done so.

Fair enough. Sorry.