Scott Drew Says God Called Him to Stay At Baylor, While The Search For A New Kentucky Coach Continues
Sometimes life has different plans for you, which is certainly the case for Baylor head coach Scott Drew, who turned down the Kentucky job Thursday morning.
The opening was initiated by John Calipari leaving for Arkansas, but for Scott Drew, this wasn't the right time to leave Baylor in hopes of recreating the magic in Lexington. Having led the Bears to a national championship in 2021, some thought that this might be the perfect opportunity for Scott Drew to take on another challenge, but it sounds as though his work in Waco is just getting started.
It's difficult for these coaches to make a decision on whether to accept a job like Kentucky, but Drew has the track-record of turning programs around, but this was a family decision, and one that all of them were going to make.
After acting as a decoy for his family on Wednesday by posing for a picture inside a restaurant near Waco, he provided his loved ones an opportunity to explore Lexington for the day. Given that this would've been a massive move for his family, that includes kids in high school and college, they needed to get a feel of where their life would potentially continue.
Arriving back in Waco on Wednesday evening, sources close to the situation tell OutKick that the family sat down to have a conversation on if this was the right move or not. The Baylor coach wanted input from every single member of the family, and they ultimately decided that God had put them in Waco for a reason, and now wasn't the right time to leave.
"In our program, we strive to put Jesus first, then others, then ourselves," Scott Drew explained. "We truly believe God has called my family and I to continue our work here at Baylor, surrounded by the best people and community anyone could be blessed to have. We are grateful for the support of Mack Rhoades, President Livingstone and the entire Baylor family, and we look forward to working together to bring more championships to Waco."
What's Next For Kentucky, With Scott Drew Out Of The Running?
Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart has had a list from the very start of this search, which every AD has tucked away somewhere in their office or home. Scott Drew was a name that stood out due to his success, along with his friendship with Barnhart. Now, we are still in the first inning of this coaching search, with multiple big names still being discussed.
There is a notion from Kentucky fans and media that Dan Hurley would be interested in the job, especially with the money that could come with saying yes. But it's complicated, with UConn coming off another national championship winning season, and the Huskies athletic department ready to do whatever it takes to lockdown Hurley.
We also cannot forget his comments from Monday night, where he told multiple folks in Phoenix that he would not be interested in leaving UConn, even suggesting some folks talked with his wife about the possibility of leaving Storrs for Lexington. I can assure you that Kentucky has already reached out to Dan Hurley, even if through backchannels to gauge his interest in the job. And if he was willing to take the position at Kentucky, one would think this would've happened before Scott Drew said no.
UConn coach Dan Hurley discusses a call with an official in the national championship game Monday night at NRG Stadium in Houston. (Getty Images.)
Could Billy Donovan make the move from the NBA back to college? I guess it's possible, but that would mean Donovan would have to be truly interested, and he's not just going to quit on the Bulls right now. This isn't a Bobby Petrino scenario, where he can just leave the Falcons on a random day during the season.
Nate Oats has already put out a statement on social media, professing his love for Alabama and his intentions to stay in Tuscaloosa. So, I don't see him going back on his word. But maybe he shouldn't be the only coach in the State of Alabama to receive a call about the job. If you want someone who can come into Lexington and get the program moving back in the right direction, pick up the phone and call Bruce Pearl down at Auburn.
It sounds like Mitch Barnhart is not going to stop pestering Dan Hurley until he puts out a statement, or takes the position. The UConn Huskies will hold its championship parade on Saturday. According to multiple sources, Barnhart is looking for the grand-slam hire, and if it's not Donovan or Hurley, there are still a number of names that could fit that bill.
But I'd expect Kentucky to force Dan Hurley or Billy Donovan to turn down the job with an emphatic ‘NO' before we move into the second tier of candidates.