Former UK men’s basketball head coach Billy Gillispie and the UK Athletics Association, Inc. have reached a settlement, UK and Gillispie announced in a news release Tuesday night.
Gillispie will receive $2,984,536.07 as a result of the settlement. Gillispie had sued for $6 million, which he felt was owed to him after he was fired on March 27. UK is also required to pay Gillispie’s attorney and mediation fees totaling more than $265,462.
The university is responsible for its own attorney fees and must complete all payments to Gillispie within 15 days of the agreement.
Former UK men's basketball head coach Billy Gillispie reached a settlement with the UK Athletics Association, Inc. on Tuesday. Photo by Britney McIntosh | Staff
In the settlement, Gillispie agreed to a non-disparagement clause stating he would in no way make any derogatory or detrimental comments about the university. He also agreed to a covenant not to sue or bring any other lawsuit against UK at any time for any reason.
Gillispie sued UK on May 27 on the grounds that he was owed $1.5 million for each of the four years left on his memorandum of understanding. In a news conference held March 27, UK President Lee Todd said Gillispie was fired for not fulfilling the expectations of a UK head coach.
“There was a lack of understanding that this job is more than games and recruiting,” Todd said. “You have to be an ambassador to this program and university.”
Students had mixed reactions to news of the settlement. Undecided freshman George Barnes said he was just glad to see the ordeal come to an end.
“I’m relieved it’s over but I don’t feel like he should have gotten that much,” Barnes said. “It’s for the benefit of everybody even though I don’t agree with it.”
Jacob Gatewood, an undecided sohpmore, said he felt the amount Gillispie was awarded was completely undeserved.
“They shouldn’t have given him a dime,” Gatewood said. “I don’t think he ever worked for it. He just seemed like an alcoholic to me.”
Gillispie was 40-27 in two years coaching the Cats. UK missed the NCAA tournament in 2009 for the first time since 1991.
Gillispie’s attorneys could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. In the news release, UK officials said the university would have no further comment on the matter.
On Aug. 27 Gillispie was arrested and charged with drunken driving in Anderson County, Ky. He checked himself into the John Lucas Aftercare Program on Sept. 8. His DUI trial dates are tentatively set for February of 2010.
View the UK/Billy Gillispie settlement agreement:
I think he deserved the settlement. An agreement is an agreement and cannot be changed because UK suddenly does not like a person. UK chose to hire Gillespie, and did not clarify the terms. Now, perhaps UK will learn from its hiring decision, and not make a similar mistake in the future. Now, please UK move forward and perhaps focus more on academics, versus sports. This is a college, after all …