AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie isn’t talking about his name being linked to the job at Texas Tech.
Gillispie was at the Texas boys state tournament on Friday, but declined to answer questions from The Associated Press whether he was interested in the Texas Tech job or had interviewed with school officials.
“I’m just here to watch some games,” Gillispie said about five times.
Texas Tech announced before the Big 12 tournament that coach Pat Knight would not return next season and Knight publicly endorsed Gillispie for the job.
Gillispie, who also coached at UTEP and Texas A&M, was fired at Kentucky in 2009 after two tumultuous seasons.
Texas Tech University System Chancellor Kent Hance also was at the high school tournament Friday, but said he did not know Gillispie was there and did not talk to him.
Hance said new athletic director Kirby Hocutt would be responsible for finding a candidate and presenting them first to school President Guy Bailey and then to Hance.
“He’s going to give us somebody that’s great,” Hance said. “He wants to take the time that it takes to find the right person, the right fit.”
Hance said he’s never met Gillispie.
“I look forward to meeting anybody that comes along who has built their career in basketball because I love basketball,” Hance said.
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