Breaking: Billy Gillispie is out at Kentucky

According to sources for WHAS 11 in Louisville, Gillispie is gone. From the release:

After WHAS11 broke the story around 9:30 P.M., UK’s Sports Information Department issued a statement saying:

“UK men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie has not been fired. There have been no meetings between Gillispie and UK officials today and there is no scheduled press conference for tomorrow”

Again WHAS11’s sources saying Billy Gillispie will not be the head coach of the Kentucky men’s basketball team next year.

More on this as it comes out. Many people are saying the decision will come as early as tomorrow, but we are also hearing that Mitch Barnhart, the Kentucky AD, wants to be sure he has a candidate lined up to replace BCG.

This is all conjecture at this point, but we have yet to hear one rumor (that was not from the University) saying Gillispie is going to get a third season in Lexington.

UPDATE: Gillispie is out. Our question now: who does Kentucky hire? We are hearing they make a run at Billy Donovan, but Tom Izzo and John Calipari have also been mentioned.

UPDATE II: Billy Donovan has withdrawn his name from consideration for the UK job. So will Coach Cal or Izzo bite? Will UK end up with Rick Barnes or Jay Wright? Travis Ford is probably a guarantee signing, but from what I've read, it seems like UK wants a more established coach. Ford is a UK alum and just took an Oklahoma State lacking a true big man to the second round of the dance.

Anthony Grant should be another name to keep in mind but, like I said, I get the feeling that UK wants a more established coach. They already whiffed on hiring an up-and-comer.