Two years ago, I wanted UK Athletic Director, Mitch Barnhart’s head on a platter when he passed on both John Pelphrey and Travis Ford for the UK Head Men’s Basketball position. Fan morale was at an all time low. The fan base was split between Tubby Haters and Tubby Supporters. The Cats weren’t winning. The Cats weren’t getting the big name players anymore. We needed something to happen to bring everything back together.

Two years later, the Cats are winning more than they were. They are bringing in big name players. Fan morale is still kind of iffy and the fan base is now split between Billy G Supporters and … well everyone else.

Two years ago, it was all about the nostalgia that would have come with either Pelphrey or Ford. They were winners. They had in-state connections. Those two are branded in the minds of every UK fan that is over the age of 20 years old (has it really been that long?). Those two would have completely united the fan base. But would we be winning?

Here’s what I think. UK would be winning under either one of those two heroes from Wildcat past… just not as much, at least not yet. Neither one of them were ready for an elite job like UK. Yes, I do still believe UK is elite. And, yes I am still under the impression (delusion) that every child in America (except those in Durham and Chapel Hill) wake up every morning having dreamed of putting on the Blue and White and hearing their name called out in Rupp Arena. Ford is about 5 years away from being ready and Oklahoma State will be a very nice launch pad for his career. Pelphrey is also about 5 years away. He proved he could win at South Alabama, and is proving it at Arkansas (except in the SEC). His team took down both Texas and Oklahoma earlier this season. They just can’t win in conference… yet.

Here’s what I know. UK made the right choice at the time. UK had become soft and needed a hardnosed coach to come in and make UK tough again. He’s on his way to doing just that. Big time recruiting, solid and tough defensive mind set, and a love and passion for basketball rivaled only by Adolph Rupp and Cawood Ledford, these are the things that Billy Gillispie brings to the table at UK.

And these are the things that lead to banner number eight, coming soon to a Rupp Arena near you.

Here’s the list of options in the “Name My Column” contest. You can email me at coachjamin@bellsouth.net to cast your vote, or you can call the Daily News directly at 248-1010. Next week’s column will be under the winning title.

— Coach’s Corner

— Fast Break

— The Leger Files

— Play by Play

— Mad Sports

See ya’ll next week.