Roundtable: What qualities should UK seek?
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Here, staff writers offer up their takes on what kinds of qualities Kentucky should be looking for in its choice to be John Calipari's successor
Jeff Drummond: Being in a position where his legacy could be on the line, UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart has to get this hire right, which means he can't really take risks on guys who haven't proven that they can build a title contender. That narrows the field, but the program should be in a position where it can flex its financial muscle to get the right man. I think Xs & Os will be a big priority, and not just good coaching schemes, but the ability to adapt to the changes occurring in college basketball. After watching John Calipari get stuck in his old habits in recent years, the new guy needs to be more flexible. Finally, he's got to be a strong salesman. That's something that Cal never lacked, and a bar that might be impossible to match, but it has to be one of the requirements. Whether it's recruiting or dealing with Big Blue Nation, the new coach has to be able to connect with people and fully embrace the spectacle that UK Basketball is.
Travis Graf: Obviously, the University of Kentucky expects a proven winner. As arguably the best college basketball program of all time, the Wildcats typically attract the best of the best candidates and winning is at the top of the list of importance. Another is charisma and mental toughness. The hire has to be able to vibe with the fan base, and this job requires a lot of man hours that other jobs don’t. They have to be able to handle criticism from not only the media but also from the most rabid fan base in America. X’s & O’s have lacked over the past few years, so someone that can dial up sets at a high level will be a welcomed sight to the fan base.
David Sisk: First and foremost he has got to be a winner, and when I say that I'm not talking about 20 wins and an NCAA Tournament bid. I mean win on a high level that Kentucky fans are used to. Sweet 16 appearances will suffice for the first couple of years because it has been first weekend exits since 2019. Eventually there are going to have to be SEC championships and Final Fours. The next coach will also have to understand the extras that go with the job. The head basketball coach is the face of the university and the state. John Calipari and Rick Pitino both understood, and were marvelous at that part of the job. Finally, whoever is next will have to be able to thrive under pressure. "Pressure cooker" is an accurate description. The coaches who have performed on the hot stove have built legacies at Kentucky.
Justin Rowland: I think it's pretty clear that every school out there needs a coach who can manage roster construction year to year. Someone with a proven track record of overhauling teams because that's what's going to happen in the portal era. I'd be less interested in someone who has built programs the traditional way and established longevity and more interested in the hotter names who are doing it right now. I don't buy into the line of thinking that suggests it takes a certain special personality type to win at Kentucky. Five coaches have won championships at UK. You're looking to catch lightning in a bottle and the home runs are going to be easy to identify for anybody.