Kentucky’s search to find a replacement for men’s basketball coach John Calipari will no longer include Scott Drew. The longtime Baylor coach will stay with the Bears after discussions with the Wildcats, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been publicly announced.
Drew was hired by Baylor in 2003 with the program reeling after the firing of coach Dave Bliss with the school embroiled in an NCAA investigation that was sparked by the shooting of player Patrick Dennehy by teammate Carlton Dotson. Drew was forced to rebuild the program from scratch with sanctions that included a multi-year postseason ban, a limited playing schedule and major reductions in scholarships.
Drew has a 446-244 record with 12 NCAA tournament appearances at Baylor, but didn’t have a winning season until the Bears went to the tournament in 2008. It was their first appearance since 1988. They would go to the Elite Eight. two seasons later and again in 2012. Baylor made its first trip to the Final Four in 51 years when it reached the national semifinals in 2021. The Bears defeated Gonzaga to win their first national title that season. They have been eliminated in the second round in the last three seasons.
His decision to leave Kentucky means the Wildcats job remains open with uncertainty about the current roster. There are decisions to be made by the current players and by a new group that is among the best in the country. Already leaving are Rob Dillingham, who declared the NBA draftand Aaron Bradshaw, who entered the transfer portal before Calipari announced his departure from the school on Tuesday.
Calipari went 410-123 during his time at Kentucky, winning a national title in 2012 and reaching four Final Fours. He was introduced as Arkansas’ new head coach on Wednesday.
This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: Baylor’s Scott Drew stepping down as Kentucky men’s basketball coach
