The Story?

[TwelfthAG]

I have heard 3 very similar stories from a donor close(r) to the program than the average fan, an individual that works inside the 12th Man, and an unnamed individual whom you all would know.

You can believe what I'm about to say or not (its the internet and I'm a skeptical person too so I don't blame you) but I am just laying out there what I know.

Facts:

--Billy has had multiple conversations with Arkie since January. It was mainly with Pat Foster (friend of 25 years) but there was one other Arkie number on his cell phone records.

--Byrne DID IN FACT confront Gillispie about the records and Gillispie stumbled his way through the meeting.

--Byrne told him, "While we are appreciative of the work you have done, you are not the only good coach in America, and if you are serious about leaving, my coaching search starts NOW"

--Gillispie assured Byrne he would accept the contract.

--Gillispie was a little perturbed at the fact that some promises took a while to fill.

--FBCG and Byrne had a working relationship and not a personal one. When they talked, it was business, and nothing else.

--The rumor that they were not on speaking terms when he left is true.

--A plane came from Arkie to visit/pick up Gillispie but was not here very long and turned around.

--FBCG used Arkie as much, if not worse, than he used A&M. They were very confident he was coming and they should have been.

--The Regents and Ath Dept and FBCG have had a rocky relationship for a few weeks now regarding some issues.

--Byrne has a clear #1 and that #1 is Tim Floyd. He is going to throw the bank at him. No word on who else makes up the rest of the short list.:popcorn:

[Mole]

Tim Floyd. Who is that?

Sorry but I'm new to basketball and don't know all the other coaches names yet.

[TwelfthAG]

Usc

[Mole]

Lets hope he's good.

[TwelfthAG]

I don't see him leaving usc, but what do I know.

I trust BB's decision, whatever it is.

[jagowar]

really your first choice imo should be somebody you dont think you can get but might as well try.... see kentucky and donovan.

who knows we might get lucky. (assuming he is the first choice)

[The Massacre]

i think uk thought they could get donovan. i would think they were shocked when he declined. not sure though.

[Vlyrock]

Floyd won't leave USC. He's got a sick recruiting class coming in and he's already in a "football" first type school...(why leave for another?) USC is on their way up as a program and their talent level is equivalen (if not better than ours).

Floyd is going to build USC into a powerhouse...

[hmiles619]

wow, good facts(speculation) to know

[Burnetaggie99]

uk hasn't been to a final 4 in 10 years and one guy on ESPN said as of right now A&M has a better upside than uk. He said it will take FBCG aleast 3 to 4 years just to get uk above .500, then he said he dosn't see uk ever being a factor as long a Pearl is at Tenn, Pitnio at UL, and Calipari at UM. He said if he would of stayed at A&M his chances of winning a championship could of come as early as next year. Also he said A&M is a Elite 8/ Final 4 team next year. Since FBCG was coaching in Texas and recruiting Texas talent his chances of winning big more than likely would have come at A&M. He then went on to say this move will cost him in the long run.

[Vlyrock]

UK was 22-14 last year....they're already above .500 -- he doesn't have to turn them around.

[phatbc]

I think our number 1 choice should be Jamie Dixon of Pitt.

Another "may not get him," but he only makes 800-900K, and he is a hell of a coach.

[soreal]

i think uk thought they could get donovan. i would think they were shocked when he declined. not sure though.

I heard that the AD at UK didn't necessary want Donovan but felt obilgated to go after him because the alum wanted him. He could have short changed on what Donovan may have wanted in order to go there knowing that he wouldn't take it and then going after his guy. Everything thinks Barnes was the number two guy but there were no records from UK that they ever asked for permission to talk to Barnes. Barnes called them ahead and told them he was staying at Texas so everyone assumes he was next in line. Many think the AD got his number two or three guy but I think he got exactly who he wanted.

[CoolaidWade]

Who in the world is Ball Gravy and how would he know anything about anything? I could have made all that up too.

[Superaggie79]

I'd be shocked if we got tim floyd.

[whitelightnin_23]

we get Tim Floyd & OJ Mayo follows him...

then the Ags win NC in fb & bb...

and I get layed by Angelina Jolie and my wife tapes it...
and I win the lottery...

it's possible! :sad:

[The Massacre]

Barnes called them ahead and told them he was staying at Texas so everyone assumes he was next in line. Many think the AD got his number two or three guy but I think he got exactly who he wanted.

maybe Barnes called in to them first and told them that cause he didn't want to be embarrassed when they didn't even contact him about the job. maybe he knew he wasn't a choice and wanted to act like he was turning them down before they even offered him.

[whitelightnin_23]

maybe Barnes called in to them first and told them that cause he didn't want to be embarrassed when they didn't even contact him about the job. maybe he knew he wasn't a choice and wanted to act like he was turning them down before they even offered him.

exactly my thought when I heard he "refused/turned down" the job...

[phatbc]

and I get layed by Angelina Jolie and my wife tapes it...

.....so you're sayin there's a chance! [/dumb and dumber]

[Loftin]

Tim Floyd. Who is that?

Sorry but I'm new to basketball and don't know all the other coaches names yet.

He is the current coach at USC, and is doing a pretty good job. He also had a short stint in the NBA as head coach of the Bulls after Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan left, but didn't do well at all.

[spazdout]

He is the current coach at USC, and is doing a pretty good job. He also had a short stint in the NBA as head coach of the Bulls after Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan left, but didn't do well at all.

Tim Floyd was also the coach at Iowa State for a while back in the 90's.

[soreal]

maybe Barnes called in to them first and told them that cause he didn't want to be embarrassed when they didn't even contact him about the job. maybe he knew he wasn't a choice and wanted to act like he was turning them down before they even offered him.

I agree 100%

Per SI Truth and Rumors:
Folks at Kentucky were saying Rick Barnes withdrew his name from consideration for the Wildcats' job once he learned UK was more interested in Billy Gillispie. UK people -- through a headhunter -- had been hounding Barnes for more than a week as they tried to line up candidates behind Billy Donovan. -- Dallas Morning News

[AustinAG07]

Floyd coached at UTEP. He grew up in the south and coached in the Big 12. I agree that we probably wont get him, but maybe he would rather live in Texas than California??

That might be the only reason he leaves and I doubt that will be enough. Still, why not call him and give it a shot? Wont hurt anyone. Anybody know what he makes there?

[Superaggie79]

I was told this morning that Gillispie told Byrne he wanted to see what Kentucky had to offer. Byrne told him if he got on the plane he was done. Gillispie called Byrne from Lexington wanting to know if A&M would compete with Kentucky's contract. Byrne stuck to his guns and told him it was too late to change his mind.

[Pflugerville Ag]

I agree 100%

Per SI Truth and Rumors:
Folks at Kentucky were saying Rick Barnes withdrew his name from consideration for the Wildcats' job once he learned UK was more interested in Billy Gillispie.

What Barnes did was genious. By doing what he did, when he did it, it makes it looks like UK was offerering him a job and that he turned it down. So, recruits all over Texas now think that Barnes will never leave b/c he turned down UK. Plus, by doing this before BCG took the job, it makes it look like BCG was choice #2 after Barnes, which doesn't appear to be true.

[Mezentius]

Byrne refused to get into a bidding war that he probably couldn't win for a basketball coach. In the end he got another young up and comer.

The USC coach...really?? He had to get his football coach to help him learn how to talk to a top recruit like Mayo...and who wants the baggage Mayo would bring all though he's going to USC to be in LA not because of teh coach so he wouldn't follow anyway which is all farsical since the USC coachwouldn't be leaving.


Do you honestly think Byrne is personal friends with the majority of his hires. Are you friends with your CEO or director on a personal level? Is that so wrong?

Would Byrne be suddenly surprised at what is the status quo in most coaching roles (big men's sports anyway)? No, he's to good of an operator.

This is show business not show friends as they said in Jerry Maguire.