LEXINGTON, Ky. -- It's time for Plan B at Kentucky.
Billy Donovan's decision to remain at Florida rather than take the vacant head coaching job at Kentucky left the field wide open Thursday in the search for Tubby Smith's replacement.
Two weeks after Smith left for Minnesota, his job at college basketball's all-time winningest program remains open, leaving fans squirming as Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart pleaded for patience.
"We have had productive conversations with various individuals over the last two weeks, and it's obvious that there are a number of outstanding coaches who could succeed at Kentucky," Barnhart said. "I'm confident we'll find the right man."
Who that'll be is anybody's guess.
Names from all over the college basketball landscape have been bandied about: Texas coach Rick Barnes, Texas A&M's Billy Gillispie, Michigan State's Tom Izzo, Memphis coach John Calipari.
All four are proven winners. Izzo won a national title with the Spartans in 2000. Barnes and Calipari have led teams to the Final Four, and Gillispie has turned the Aggies from also-rans to contenders in just three years.
Barnes said Thursday he won't talk about the Kentucky opening.
"I've never talked about jobs, and I'm not going to do it now," Barnes said. "When you're linked with jobs, I think it's a credit to your program, to the work you've done. I consider that a compliment, but I'm never going to get into discussing jobs."
Texas has not received any "formal" inquiries about Barnes, said spokesman Scott McConnell.
Izzo was at the Masters on Thursday and could not be reached for comment, his secretary said.
Memphis and Texas A&M, meanwhile, have worked to keep Calipari and Gillispie on campus.
Calipari received a contract extension through 2012 after leading the Tigers to a 33-4 record this season, including a 16-0 Conference USA mark.
