Billy Gillispie checks into rehab

We're a little late on the uptake (just stepped off of a plane an hour ago), but Billy Gillispie has checked himself into rehab after being arrested a third time for DUI on August 27th. He will be headed to Texas to the John Lucas Center, which happens to be the same place Michael Beasley is going.

This is a good thing for Gillispie, and for more than one reason. For starters, he clearly needs the help. During his tenure, there were numerous rumors and stories going around regarding his behavior when he was on the sauce, and that is leaving out hi three DUI arrests.

Billy Gillispie checks into rehab.

And for what its worth, I'm sure that admitting you have a problem and checking into rehab can only help with his most recent DUI (although I doubt it helps his case against Kentucky).

But this is a college basketball blog, which means that we care the most about the hoops aspect. By checking into rehab, Gillispie may have just saved what is left of his career. I mean, this guy turned around two downtrodden programs (UTEP and Texas A&M) before heading to Lexington. Despite what Big Blue Nation may believe, Gillispie is an excellent coach. It is the reason that you hired him with such fanfare back in 2007.

But I don't know if I can think of a situation in which a coached flamed out as badly as Gillispie did at Kentucky (maybe Matt Doherty at UNC). It was epic. Whether it was the high profile that comes with holding that position, the pressure to win, the booze, or a combination of the three, it is clear that Lexington and Gillispie just wasn't a good fit.

Between his meltdown in the last three months at UK and his affinity for alcohol, Gillispie is currently untouchable for AD's looking to hire a coach..

His ability as a coach, however, should still be there. Hopefully, he can make a quick and full recovery, both in regards to his health and his public image, and get back on the sidelines.