Billy Gillispie

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Texas Tech says it has hired Billy   Gillispie to coach its men's basketball team. School athletics spokesman Blayne Beal said Sunday that Gillispie is the Red Raiders' new coach, with the formal announcement to be Wednesday at a news conference. Gillispie replaces Pat Knight, who was fired earlier this month. In 2009, Kentucky fired Gillispie after the Wildcats went 40-27 in his two seasons and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time in 17 years.

At Texas A&M, Billy Gillispie was hired in 2004 to take over a program that had gone 7-21 overall and 0-16 in the Big 12 Conference the previous season. The Aggies were picked to finish last in the Big 12 in his first season, but Gillispie led them to an 11-0 start and a 21-10 overall record, including an 8-8 conference record. They won two games in the National Invitation Tournament in their first postseason appearance in 11 years. A&M star Antoine Wright left early for the NBA draft after that season, but the Aggies still finished 22-9 overall and 10-6 in the Big 12 in 2005-06.

Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie answers questions about UK's season, which officially starts with tonight's Big Blue Madness. Question: How do you hope the running and conditioning you have had the players do translates to success on the court, and how you want to play? Gillispie: "I hope that we are in supreme condition, and conditioning is very, very important to us, probably more so to me than most. I think that if your mind and body are supremely conditioned, then you have a greater chance for success.

Kentucky has finally reached a settlement with former basketball coach Billy Gillispie. Kentucky issued this statement tonight: "This agreement, accomplished through a voluntary mediation process, is a fair and final settlement and resolves all litigation between the parties. As a result of this agreement, all legal proceedings by and between the University of Kentucky, the University of Kentucky Athletic Association, and Mr. Gillispie will be dismissed. The University will have no further comment on the settlement agreement.

On the search process: "I also, like (university president Lee) Todd, would like to thank all those people that gave me advice. I got about 4 million people worth of advice every day, and it was helpful. There is nothing that matters as much as the passion of Kentucky fans. They were passionately invested in this process, and I appreciate that. Trying to convey that, you just can't do it until you see it first-hand. " UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart On meeting new coach Billy Gillispie for the first time: "He just gave me a smile, and all I can do is welcome him with an open mind and smile back.

Footage from UK media day of UK sophomore Patrick Patterson and coach Billy Gillispie.

Kentucky has lost consecutive games to North Carolina and Indiana, freshman Alex Legion has left the team and the Cats are having trouble scoring points. How do you rate the job first-year coach Billy Gillispie has done? Send your responses to sports@amnews.com. Include name, hometown and telephone number to verify authenticity. Limit responses to no more than 350 words.

Calvin King: Hi Larry, my name is Calvin King. I am the one that wrote don't bring Pitino back. I just wanted to say thanks to Billy Gillispie that if he needs a couple of blue and white UK ties that I would be more than happy to buy for him. I'm the biggest UK fan ever, please let him know, if possible. Larry: I think most UK fans are just as excited as you over this hire. And with the money he is going to make, just keep your ties. He can afford to buy UK ties for everyone.

Sports editor Larry Vaught asked readers to evaluate how they think new University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie has done. Here are some of the responses: I have loved the Cats since I was 10 years old and my dad took me to my first UKIT game. Ever since that night I eat, sleep and breathe UK basketball - a life-long obsession for which there is no cure. I know there are many more fans just like me. I have met them in public and on the Internet, and none of us want to be cured.

Just how Unforgettable has Darius Miller's basketball career been at the University of Kentucky? Miller played in his school record 152nd game Monday when the Wildcats beat Kansas to win the national championship, UK's first since 1998. He finished his career with 1,248  points, 487 rebounds, 278 assists, 114 steals and 99 blocks. He played on teams that won 124 games and went 13-2 in NCAA Tournament play the last three years. "He's the most unselfish player I've ever coached," said Kentucky coach John Calipari.

He's never been the best player on any of the four teams he's played on at Kentucky. But senior Darius Miller has those who believe he could be No. 1 UK's most valuable player this season going into NCAA Tournament play, despite going scoreless in UK's first two Southeastern Conference Tournament games before bouncing back with 16 points Sunday against Vanderbilt. “Miller does so much and is so versatile. They use him so many different ways,” said Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury.

LEXINGTON - Andy Kennedy joked that he contemplated “moving to Florida to sell insurance” the second time he watched tape of his Mississippi's loss to Vanderbilt on Thursday. However, the Ole Miss coach left little doubt what he thought about bringing his team to Rupp Arena Saturday even though the Rebels lost 77-62 to No. 1 Kentucky. “I¿am a basketball Jones at heart. I have great respect for this place. To me, it is the pinnacle of college basketball. I¿believe that. Very few times do you get the chance to play in Rupp Arena, in front of a packed house, against the number one team in the nation, so enjoy it. If you are not getting any enjoyment out of this, what are you doing?

Billy Donovan has always admired Darius Miller. The Florida coach offered his praise for the Kentucky senior during the Southeastern Conference teleconference earlier this week and likes what Miller brings to the table for the top-ranked Wildcats. “I love him - I've always loved him,” Donovan said. “I've got a tremendous amount of respect for him because I think just what he's been through.” In his four-year career, the former Mason County standout has endured many ups and downs and has made a name for himself despite playing behind Kentucky's talented cast of newcomers during the past three years in John Calipari's tenure as coach of the Wildcats.

DeAndre Liggins quickly admits he never thought there would be a day when Kentucky fans would line up and pay $15 or more to get his autograph. “I never thought that. After my freshman year I thought I was going to be leaving. It turned 360 degrees. I am just happy I am here and have a chance to do this,” Liggins said Saturday during an autograph stop at Danville's Wildcat Wearhouse, one of six weekend signing sessions he had across the state. “It has been great. It feels like a camp setting everywhere where people see me. I am just happy to see my fans again and just feel so special that they come out to see me.” Liggins went from thinking he might be asked to transfer when coach John Calipari arrived after Liggins' tumultuous freshman season under then coach Billy Gillispie to becoming a defensive stopper and key player on last year's Final Four team.

He only played under John Calipari for one season - and seldom got to play even then - but Mark Krebs says it's not hard to understand why the Kentucky coach has been so successful. “Cal is the best coach a player could ever have,” Krebs said Saturday during his time at the Ohio UK¿Convention in Middletown, Ohio. “He just knows what players need and is unbelievable with the off-the-court stuff he does to make it even more impressive.” Krebs had his own impressive journey to Kentucky following a standout career at Newport Central Catholic.

In between NBA workouts, former Kentucky center Josh Harrellson took time Friday to come to Harrodsburg for the Danville Christian Academy basketball camp. His visit was a surprise to about 80 campers on the final day of the week-long camp, and Harellson seemed to have as much fun as the youngsters. “I just love doing things like this. Everybody knows that. I wish I could do more,” Harrellson said. “Everybody in this state loves Kentucky basketball, and I love kids. It’s a good combination for everybody.” Harrellson, who has workouts with four NBA teams this week in preparation for Thursday’s NBA draft, shared his thoughts on a variety of subjects before talking to the campers: Question: Who is the best player you played with during your Kentucky career?

Debi White knows having Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari speak at a Telford YMCA fundraising dinner June 15 in Richmond is a huge bonus for her organization. However, since she’s also a self-proclaimed UK¿basketball fan, she admits the fan in her is even more thrilled he’s coming than she is as chief executive of the YMCA. “I¿am excited as chief executive of the Y and as a UK¿fan and I¿know I should probably say I am more excited for the Y, but it is both and probably really is more of the UK¿fan in me,” said White, who has already bought a new blue dress to wear that night.

Sensing that he may never have done more to impress NBA personnel than he did during his junior season, Kentucky’s DeAndre Liggins has decided to keep his name in the NBA draft and not return to UK for his final season. Liggins had until midnight Sunday to make his decision. Earlier in the day UK officials noted Liggins had made his decision and would hold a 2 p.m. press conference today to reveal his plans. However, about 10 p.m. Liggins had UK issue a release stating that he would not be back at Kentucky even though coach John Calipari had advised him to return.

He’s contemplating his future not only as a basketball player, but also has a father. However, Kentucky guard DeAndre Liggins’ fiance', Jasmine Horton, wants to make sure everyone understands that he is making sure to be a supportive father for their young son, Braycn DeAndre Liggins. She took the time to post on vaughtsviews.com earlier this season after Liggins shared his feelings for his son in a February interview and talked about how much he loved him. “He is an amazing dad and although he has been very busy, he does whatever he can for our son,”  Horton said.