The main reason for the ousting of University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie after just two years, according to UK Atheltic Director Mitch Barnhart and university President Dr. Lee Todd, was his failure to perform outreach for the program and university beyond roaming the coach's box.
"You have to be an ambassador to this program," Todd said.
At the press conference announcing Gillispie 's dismissal, the school's president said Gillispie had a "lack of understanding that this job is a complete job that requires a lot more than just the coaching and recruiting. It's kind of like the president's job, nobody ever writes out exactly what you have to do, but there is a lot to it. And philosophically I think we need someone who nurtures the entire Big Blue Nation, has the philosophy that this is a very unique opportunity, a very unique job and it's one that is a lot broader," Todd said.
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will profile what is expected of UK coaches in their roles beyond the field of play in an upcoming issue.