Billy G: ‘I won’t run from a fight’

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/RICK McFARLAND Kentucky basketball Coach Billy Gillispie drew some laughs from UALR Coach Steve Shields (right) and Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Ray Tucker (center) during an appearance Wednesday at the Downtown Tipoff Club luncheon in North Little Rock.

Those attending the Downtown Tipoff Club’s event with Kentucky Coach Billy Gillispie on Wednesday got a look at Clyde.

Not the guy seen on television leading the Wildcats in SEC play, but the guy his friends see on a regular basis.

Gillispie, known as “Clyde” to most of his close friends, was straightforward and off-the-wall, candid and humorous before the large group at the Wyndham Riverfront in North Little Rock.

Kentucky (16-7, 5-3 SEC) has lost three consecutive games following Tuesday’s home loss to Mississippi State, something that UALR Coach Steve Shields mentioned while introducing Gillispie, a longtime close friend.

“We appreciate you being here,” Shields said. “It’s a credit to the kind of character that Billy’s got. A lot of people in our profession would have bowed out after last night.”

It didn’t take long for Gillispie’s sense of humor to kick in.

“Thanks very much. I really appreciate you bringing up that we lost three in a row, Steve,” Gillispie said, drawing his first laugh from the crowd. “That’s the kind of good friends I have.”

The Wildcats gave up 14 threepointers Tuesday night in losing 66-57 to Mississippi State. The Wildcats’ next game is Tuesday against Florida.

“I’m in a really bad mood today,” Gillispie said. “We’ve lost three games, but it doesn’t mean that life has to stop. My job is to win games – not to win games, but to win every game. That’s what I signed on for, and that’s the way I want it to be.”

Gillispie was a high school and junior college coach in Texas before joining the staff at Baylor. But he said his career path changed when he received a call from Kansas Coach Bill Self, who at that time was moving from Oral Roberts to Tulsa.

“I owe my entire career to him,” Gillispie said. “If it wasn’t for him, I would be a high school coach, and that would be fine with me. I never thought I’d have the opportunity I do now.”

Gillispie talked about his head coaching stops that have ranged from high school to junior college to Texas-El Paso and Texas A&M. The crowd also learned about a previous trip to Arkansas.

“I got a ticket one time going to Fort Smith and coming back with the same cop. He was sitting at the same stop,” Gillispie said. “You probably know him, huh? He may be here today.”

Gillispie also lobbed a couple of subtle and not-so-subtle jokes at the crowd.

“This is a slow group today, isn’t it?” Gillispie said. “Bobby [Vint] said there was a lot of remediation that needed to be done. You might have to repeat yourself a few times.

“I’m giving you a hard time. I’m having a good time just rambling.”

If Kentucky doesn’t get back on track, it won’t be because Gillispie didn’t work hard enough at it.

“Everybody’s in a panic right now about the way the country is right now because it’s not easy,” he said. “Is it always supposed to be easy? I’m not the kind of guy who likes to run from a fight. I like to find the fight and win the fight after I find it.

“Those tough times really define your legacy.”

He also seems to appreciate the criticism he receives whenever Kentucky loses.

“I don’t want to coach anywhere where they don’t want you to win every single game,” Gillispie said. “If you’re playing for fifth place, don’t bring me in.

“I’m coming for first place. I’m coming to cut down the nets. I’m coming to get the best recruits because that’s how you win.”