When I heard the news last night that Billy Gillispie was flying to Kentucky to “talk” with their Athletic Director, I got a pit in my stomach that wouldn’t go away. I went to bed praying for an Easter miracle. A miracle that could become part of Aggie lore about how our coach was offered one of the most elite positions in college basketball and turned it down to stay at Texas A&M.
And yes, I am often delusional and live in my own fantasy world.
I mean really, who can blame him? I’m sure that for a self admitted workaholic basketball coach, this opportunity is a dream come true. It would be like someone offering me a book deal complete with bags of money and me turning it down because I’d prefer to blog for free.
Had Billy Clyde chosen to stay at Texas A&M, he could have become a legend. In fact, just by getting us to the Sweet 16 this year, he was well on his way. Eventually, he would have had statues erected in his honor and the Billy Clyde Arena would have one day sat proudly on the campus.
Granted, it would have been hard for him to make ends meet on the paltry 1.8 million that we offered him, but if he really budgeted, he could have made it work.
At Kentucky, yes, he could become a legend, but it will take a lot more than just trips to the Sweet 16. It will take multiple Final Fours and National Championships, otherwise, he’ll find himself following in the footsteps of Tubby and getting out before you’re thrown out. The Kentucky fans are fanatical about their basketball, just like Aggie fans are fanatical about football.
And ultimately, that was the problem.
So, with all sincerity, I wish Billy Clyde all the best. Thanks for helping Aggies believe in basketball again.