[Cactus Jack]

This was in a different thread but thought it'd maybe be a better fit to open up for discussion here:

Let's say Hurley , Drew, and  Donovan all decide to stay where they are.  Who are  some of your real dark horses to come of nowhere and seize the job?

Mark Pope?  Bill Self?  Jai Lucas, Richard Pitino?

That's a good question.

Another spin-off might be what *realistic* candidates you'd like to see come.

As for who OSH had mentioned, I don't see Self leaving Kansas for Kentucky-- too much of a lateral move. Jai Lucas is an interesting name but is ultimately too young and could get swallowed up by the job quickly.

I can tell you some that I'd rather NOT see: Chris Beard, Sean Miller, Shaka Smart, Rick Pitino (who I still like as a coach), Richard Pitino, and Mark Pope. Different reasons for each of those, but the most obvious reason is probably a safe default assumption.

Still think that it's likely that UK could make a real run at Nate Oats if they needed to circle back and were willing to pay.

Would be on the fence about Mark Few but think that Kentucky could lure him from Spokane, especially given some of the things that just went down at the Women's NCAA Tournament that Gonzaga was hosting. He's had some good players, but I think Jalen Suggs (2020-21) is the only Top 10 player he's ever signed (at least out of high school). Know Wiltjer was a McDonald's All American and transferred in, but he's mostly relied on foreign players and early evaluation of recruits in building his rosters and he wouldn't have to do that at Kentucky. I would also worry that his best years may be behind him and that his window to win championships might have already closed.

A name I wouldn't necessarily mind is Nebraska's Fred Hoiberg. He's got experience in the professional game and has been able to win big at schools like Iowa State and Nebraska, and he's the type that I could see really taking off if he were in the driver's seat at a Kentucky. One of the biggest knocks on him might be that, at least at Iowa State, he took some chances on fringe type kids that might of caught a case or left their first stop under less than ideal circumstances, but he wouldn't have to take those types of chances at a Kentucky. He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and played collegiately at Iowa State & left his alma mater for a job with the Chicago Bulls.

If not one of those, maybe someone with ties to the program who is currently a professional assistant but feels stuck in a rut and wants their own fingerprints on everything? A mad-scientist type who is running through D2 or mid-major competition with an innovative system?