Kentucky coaching candidates: The Final Four version

Kentucky’s search for a new basketball coach is now in its next phase with decisions by Baylor’s Scott Drew and UConn’s Danny Hurley on Thursday to remain at their respective schools.

Most believe, as do I, that Drew was the primary choice for Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart as they aligned in so many areas in their views of basketball, family and faith.

But it’s also for that reason that Barnhart was probably the least surprised that Drew chose family first. Hurley, on the other hand, was always the improbable “home run” hire that UK had to a least run an offer by.

So now, the search continues with a list of names that might simultaneously draw cheers and jeers from Big Blue Nation; the most common theme being that many carry baggage that could be of concern to the man making the choice.

But then again, Barnhart faced those same issues when he hired John Calipari in 2009.

Going forward, each option carries a “good news, bad news” connotation.