X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Top Head Coaching Candidates for Kentucky Men's Basketball - 2024 NCAA Basketball

John Calipari - College Basketball Head Coach, NCAAB Picks, March Madness

Ryan lists the top candidates to replace John Calipari as the University of Kentucky men's basketball head coach. Who will Kentucky hire? Scott Drew, Brad Underwood, and Billy Donovan headline the list, along with some others that would shake up the college basketball world.

The college basketball offseason has officially begun. The UConn Huskies were crowned National Champions on Monday, completing their repeat title quest which had not been done since 2006-07.

Hundreds of players have already thrown their names in the portal and most head coaching vacancies have been filled to get a head-start on roster building.

However, one of the top jobs in the sport remains open. It was announced that after fifteen years as the showrunner in Kentucky, John Calipari has left the university to accept the job at Arkansas, which was made available after Eric Musselman departed for USC. Here are some of the top candidates to replace the legendary coach.

 

Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls

Collegiate Head Coaching Record:  502 - 206 (.709)

Accomplishments: 2x National Champion (2006, 2007), 4x Final Four, 4x SEC Tournament Champion, 6x SEC Regular Season Champion, 3x SEC Coach of the Year

Donovan is by far the most decorated coach on this list, having built a powerhouse program down in Gainesville that peaked when the Gators won back-to-back national titles in 2006-07. The former Providence star has been the Chicago Bulls head coach since 2020, and actually signed a four-year, $24M extension prior to the 2023-23 season. The Bulls have already locked up a play-in game for the 2024 NBA playoffs, so if Donovan were to jump ship now it would have to be for a large pay increase in the realm of $9 or more.

It's also worth noting that Kentucky has tried to hire Donovan previously. Twice, in fact. Once after the consecutive national titles and then again in '09. The former Florida coach also hasn't led a college program since 2015, and the new NIL/transfer portal era of college basketball may be unappealing to someone like Donovan who has not been entrenched in the sport's new landscape for quite some time.

 

Nate Oats, Alabama

Collegiate Head Coaching Record: 214-98 (.686)

Accomplishments: 2x SEC Regular Season Champion and Tournament Champion, 2021 SEC Coach of the Year, 2024 Final Four

Oats might be the hottest name in college basketball not named Dan Hurley after taking the Crimson Tide to their first-ever Final Four this season and keeping the program at a top-10 level over the past few years. The former Buffalo head coach is one of the best recruiters/navigators of the portal in the country and seems like a good culture fit for the Wildcats. However, like Donovan, Oats recently said he is firmly committed to his current team.

 

Brad Underwood, Illinois

Collegiate Head Coaching Record: 252-115 (.687)

Accomplishments: 2x Big Ten Tournament Champion, 2022 Big Ten Regular Season Champion, 3x Southland Regular Season and Tournament Champion

Underwood has had a respectable head-coaching career that started with building an under-the-radar dynasty at Stephen F. Austin, going 53-1 in the Southland over three seasons. Now the coach at Illinois, Underwood just took the program to their first Elite Eight since 2005, bowing out to eventual National Champion, UConn. Kentucky fans might look down upon this hire, but Underwood could be the steadying presence they need to get them back to tournament relevance.

 

Dan Hurley, UConn

Collegiate Head Coaching Record: 292-163 (.642)

Accomplishments: 2x National Champion, 2024 Big East Regular Season and Tournament Champion, 2024 Big East Coach of the Year, A-10 Regular Season and Tournament Champion

This one is most likely a pipe dream for Kentucky fans, but there's no question Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart will try to throw a massive bag at the hottest name in the sport right now. Hurley took over a UConn program that was nearly at an all-time low with the messy Kevin Ollie ousting and has built them into the undisputed top program in college basketball at the moment. The former Rhode Island head coach has led the Huskies to back-to-back National Championships, both in utterly dominant fashion by winning all 12 tournament games by 13+ points.

Hurley was asked about the Kentucky job in the post-game presser and several other times on various talk shows but has laughed off any rumors of him leaving. While it's maybe the biggest longshot on the list, there still exists a universe in which Hurley does jump ship for the Kentucky gig, and it would be a no-brainer home run hire for a Kentucky program that has not been able to figure out the tournament in recent years.

 

Scott Drew, Baylor

Collegiate Head Coaching Record: 466-255 (.646)

Accomplishments: 2021 National Champion, 2x Big 12 Regular Season Champion, 3x Big 12 Coach of the Year

Perhaps the name that has been thrown around as the most likely candidate or at the top of Kentucky's realistic list, Drew would also be a slam-dunk hire for the Wildcats. The question is whether or not he is willing to leave Waco, a place he has lived for the past 21 years as the head coach of the Baylor Bears. Drew is a proven commodity, having achieved great success from the portal while still recruiting at an extremely high level, which is crucial in this new age of college basketball. It was also reported that Kentucky will meet with Drew about their head coaching position, so we could have our answer here soon.

 

TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State

Collegiate Head Coaching Record: 169-98 (.633)

Accomplishments: 2x Sweet Sixteen, Big 12 Tournament Champion, 2x Summit League Regular Season and Tournament Champion

Known as one of the top player's coaches in the sport, Otzelberger has rapidly ascended the collegiate head coaching ranks over the past few years. Three seasons ago he was head man of a .500 UNLV team, but then completed one of the greatest turnarounds in college basketball history after taking over at Iowa State. Otzelberger took a 2-22 (0-18) Cyclone team to the Sweet Sixteen the very next year. He's clearly a great program builder who is also very well respected in the industry, but Kentucky is likely looking for someone more proven at this point in their career.

More March Madness Analysis

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
NBA

E.J. Liddell Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Mike Trout

Plans to Return on Thursday
Will Smith

X-Rays Negative on Will Smith's Hand
Jauan Jennings

Gets Incentives Added to Contract
Jakobi Meyers

Unsure About Potential Extension
Matthew Stafford

Off Injury Report Ahead of Week 1
Will Smith

Exits With Hand Contusion
Jackson Chourio

in Lineup Wednesday Despite Hamstring Cramps
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
Christian Yelich

Dealing With Soreness in Lower Back
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Kyle Finnegan

Dealing With Groin Issue
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch "Sometime This Weekend"
Jackson Chourio

Absent on Wednesday With Hamstring Cramp
Roman Anthony

Officially Goes on Injured List
Jauan Jennings

Limited on Wednesday, Expected to Play in Week 1
Malik Nabers

Not on Initial Injury Report
Roman Anthony

"High Probability" Roman Anthony Lands on Injured List
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Jason Adam

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Roman Anthony

Will Undergo MRI on Wednesday
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic
Travis Hunter

Jaguars List Travis Hunter as Starting Wide Receiver, Backup Cornerback
Kyle Tucker

Leaves With Calf Tightness on Tuesday
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Rest of EuroBasket
Max Scherzer

Blue Jays Confident Max Scherzer Will Make Saturday Start Despite Back Tightness
Roman Anthony

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Jared McCain

"On Pace" for Training Camp
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Done for the Year With Torn ACL
Luke Hughes

Devils Optimistic About Signing Luke Hughes
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Dylan Holloway

Good to Go for Start of Season
Nick Kurtz

Back in Action on Tuesday
Josh Morrissey

Fully Healthy for Start of Season
Dennis Hildeby

Signs Three-Year Extension With Maple Leafs
Nick Lodolo

Scratched With Illness
Dalton Kincaid

Role Not Expected to Grow?
Quinshon Judkins

Zero Chance Quinshon Judkins Plays Against Bengals?
Najee Harris

Says He's Expecting to Play Against Chiefs
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Departs Monday with Quad Injury
Franz Wagner

Collects Double-Double in Blowout Win
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Achieves Rare Numbers at EuroBasket
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Dominates Against Sweden
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Suit Up in Week 1
Kristaps Porzingis

Finding Form at EuroBasket
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Suffers Minor Injury at EuroBasket
DJ Moore

Bears Experimenting with DJ Moore in Backfield
Rome Odunze

Could Move All Around the Offense
Carolina Panthers

Dave Canales Comfortable With Panthers' Young Receivers
Quinshon Judkins

Not Considering NCAA Return
Dallas Goedert

Healthy for Week 1
Marvin Mims Jr.

Returns to Practice Monday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Carted Off Monday With Knee Injury
Jason Adam

Diagnosed With Ruptured Left Quadriceps Tendon
Victor Wembanyama

Looking "Quite Stellar"
Matthew Stafford

Expected to Start in Week 1
Najee Harris

Cleared for Contact, Could Play in Week 1
Denny Hamlin

Ends Eventful Day at Darlington in Seventh Place
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Almost Earns a Top-Five Finish at Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek

has His Best 2025 Performance at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

Has An Underwhelming Performance At Darlington
Josh Berry

Crashes Early and Suffers A Playoff Setback at Darlington
Giannis Antetokounmpo

"Staying in Milwaukee"
Jaylen Warren

Agrees to Two-Year Extension With Steelers
De'Von Achane

Practicing Monday, on Track to Play in Week 1
Quinshon Judkins

Could Report to Browns This Week
Chase Elliott

Under Playoff Pressure After 17th-Place Darlington Finish
Kyle Larson

Despite Hendrick Mediocrity, Kyle Larson Remains Pretty Safe in Playoffs
Alex Bowman

Opening-Lap Crash and Botched Pit Stop May Have Sunk Alex Bowman's Playoff Hopes
Erik Jones

Darlington Master Erik Jones Comes Up Short but Still Finishes Third
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Impresses at Southern 500
Daniel Suarez

is A DFS Risk for Darlington Lineups?
Noah Gragson

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Noah Gragson for Darlington?
Ty Dillon

is an Excellent Punt Option for Darlington DFS Lineups
Denny Hamlin

Picking Up Where He Left Off At Darlington
Kyle Larson

The Sky Is The Limit for Kyle Larson at Darlington
Ryan Blaney

a Strong DFS Play at Darlington This Weekend
Tyler Reddick

Shouldn't Be Overlooked at Darlington This Weekend
Alex Bowman

An Easy Place-Differential Play in DFS This Weekend
Ty Gibbs

Could Be Strong at Darlington This Weekend
Erik Jones

Has Best Darlington Qualifying Effort Since Last Win
Zane Smith

Hopeful For Another Solid Run At Darlington

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP