Kentucky Basketball: 20 candidates to replace John Calipari as Head Coach

Greg McDermott

All names should be considered and McDermott’s success at Creighton absolutely makes him viable for the Wildcats. A collegiate head coach for the last thirty years, McDermott has had varying levels of success but has really broken through with these Bluejays in recent years.

McDermott was formerly head coach at Wayne State, North Dakota State, and Northern Iowa, who he led to three NCAA Tournaments. He actually faltered at Iowa State before bouncing back in a major way at Creighton. In Omaha since 2010, he’s had a host of success, leading Creighton into the Big East and winning a ton of games. The Bluejays are yearly contenders in the Big East and have made the second weekend of three of the last four NCAA Tournaments.

Creighton has blossomed under McDermott’s leadership and he’d likely have success wearing a slightly different shade of blue. There’d certainly be a jump in expectations, but it’s not like McDermott is underachieving or disappointing anyone in Omaha. He’s come excruciatingly close to the Final Four with the Bluejays and could achieve that someday in Lexington. He’s not a name that excites as much as others on the list, but he’s worth legitimate looks.