Kentucky to speak with Texas A&M Coach Billy Gillispie

Considering the sad news that we recieved this afternoon, this is good news. I warmed up to considering Billy Gillispie after seeing his record and turning around of programs such as UTEP and Texas A&M.

Here's the report from the Dallas Morning News:

Kentucky has asked Texas A&M for permission to speak to men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie about its opening, athletic director Bill Byrne announced. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart call Byrne about 7 p.m. Thursday and was given permission.

“Coach Gillispie is one of the top coaches in the country, and we certainly do not want to lose him,” Byrne said in a statement. “At the same time, I do not want to stand in the way of any member of my department who wants to explore another option if he or she feels that is in their best interest.”

Before coaching at UTEP and Texas A&M, Gillispie spent time as an assistant at Baylor under Harry Miller and both Tusla and Illinois under current Kansas coach Bill Self. In his second season at UTEP (2003-2004), they won the WAC. At Texas A&M, Gillispie has been named the Big 12 Coach of the Year twice, if not more.

This is looking like good news for Wildcat fans.

UPDATE: Pat Forde said on ESPN News that he believes that UK will introduce Billy Gillispie as head coach tomorrow at Memorial Coliseum.