Billy Gillispie Could Be Answer to Texas Tech's Problems

Pat Knight, the prognosticator: "This being my third year, this is either a 'get an extension' or a 'get fired' kind of year.''

Few would disagree with this sentiment, which was related by Knight at this year's Big 12 media days. Texas Tech (5-5), after reaching the NIT quarterfinals a year ago, have had a difficult season so far, with losses to North Texas and TCU. If the Red Raiders fail to turn it around quickly, Knight's preseason quotes may prove prescient.

In order for Texas Tech to make this sort of move, however, there will need to be a worthy replacement. As Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World-Herald points out, there may be such a guy wandering around the Lone Star State as we speak.

Former UTEP and Texas A&M over-achiever Billy Gillispie is looking to get back in the business after a two-year stint confusing everyone in the basketball world as coach of Kentucky. He certainly had success at his prior two jobs, leading both UTEP and A&M to the NCAA tournament despite those teams being pretty pitiful prior to his arrival. At Kentucky, though, he failed to live up to expectations. UK was eliminated from the tournament in the first round the year he arrived, and they made an NIT appearance -- an absolute deal-breaker with the Wildcats-- the following year.

Ostensibly, this may not look like the way to go., especially considering some of the nefarious stories that have leaked out of the Lexington media toward the end of Gillispie's tenure, including his DUI arrest. Still, it seemed that Gillispie's successes were due to his ability to coach up the under-talented, rather than allowing the uber-talented to play their own game. Rumors of Gillispie muzzling Kentucky star Jodie Meeks in his final year were rampant, including an opposing player outing the coach.

Still, for all of his qualms at Kentucky, Gillispie would be a good fit at Texas Tech. After all, with a 5-5 record, including a loss to North Texas, there's nowhere to go but up.