available in PDF - University of Kentucky Athletics
available in PDF - University of Kentucky Athletics
available in PDF - University of Kentucky Athletics
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
L E A D E R S H I P<br />
BILLY<br />
GILLISPIE<br />
A<br />
fter some <strong>of</strong> the most dramatic s<strong>in</strong>gle-season turnarounds<br />
<strong>in</strong> NCAA history at Texas-El Paso and Texas A&M, Billy<br />
Gillispie became the 21st coach <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Kentucky</strong> Wildcats on April<br />
6, 2007.<br />
He cont<strong>in</strong>ued his magic <strong>in</strong> his first season <strong>in</strong> Lex<strong>in</strong>gton. After<br />
start<strong>in</strong>g out 6-7 <strong>in</strong> pre-conference action, the Wildcats caught<br />
fire and posted a 12-4 mark <strong>in</strong> league play, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g w<strong>in</strong>s over<br />
No. 3 Tennessee and No. 12 Vanderbilt result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Gillispie<br />
be<strong>in</strong>g named SEC co-Coach <strong>of</strong> the Year by league coaches.<br />
The honor marked the fifth straight season, Gillispie received<br />
his league’s coach <strong>of</strong> the year award. The Cats <strong>in</strong>conference<br />
heroics helped them secure their<br />
NCAA record 49th NCAA Tournament<br />
berth while keep<strong>in</strong>g their str<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong><br />
17 straight tournament appearances,<br />
the third-longest active<br />
streak, alive.<br />
Prior to com<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
Lex<strong>in</strong>gton, Gillispie spent<br />
three seasons as the head<br />
coach <strong>of</strong> the Texas A&M<br />
24<br />
K E N T U C K Y<br />
B A S K E T B A L L
Change language