In the aftermath of former head coach John Calipari leaving to take the University of Kentucky’s coaching job, the University of Memphis‘ quest for a new basketball coach is becoming troublesome.
The Commercial Appeal’s Dan Wolken is reporting that Baylor coach Scott Drew withdrew his name from consideration on Saturday. Memphis had targeted Drew after Missouri’s Mike Anderson, Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl and USC’s Tim Floyd had, in part, rejected overtures from the Tigers’ search committee.
According to sources close to the Drew negotiations, he was clearly interested in the Tigers’ job. After being contacted by Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson on Friday evening, Drew was engaged in discussions with booster Alan Graf on Saturday.
Drew’s discussions with Graf indicated he was Memphis’ top choice for the job. While terms of a contract were broadly discussed, a foundation was never laid nor was an official offer made by Johnson.
Apparently inundated with calls from current players and recruits, Drew ceased conversations with Memphis and released a statement on Saturday that he would remain as Baylor’s coach.
“Whenever your name is rumored for another job, it’s a positive reflection of your hard work and respect for the job you are doing,” Drew said. “At the same time, our staff wanted to rebuild Baylor into an elite basketball program. We are on the right track.”
After initially hoping to make a ‘Wow’ hire, Memphis’ search is looking more like a ‘What?’.
Memphis will now turn its attention to several other candidates that have been mentioned throughout its search process. Those candidates include Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton, Ole Miss’ Andy Kennedy and former Calipari assistant Derek Kellogg, currently the head coach at UMass.
Also included among those being considered is former Sacramento Kings head coach Reggie Theus.
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