Scott Drew staying at Baylor after reportedly turning down Kentucky

Sean Leahy
Scott Drew is one of just seven active men's college basketball head coaches to have won a national title. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Scott Drew is one of just seven active men's college basketball head coaches to have won a national title. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) (Justin Ford via Getty Images)

Scott Drew will not be replacing John Calipari at Kentucky.

Drew, who has been Baylor's head men's basketball coach since 2003 and led the Bears to the 2021 NCAA tournament title, will stay with the Bears after reportedly turning down an offer from Kentucky.

"In our program, we strive to put Jesus first, then others, then ourselves," Drew said in a statement posted to social media. "We truly believe God has called my family and I to continue our work here at Baylor, surrounded by the best people and community anyone could be blessed to have. We are grateful for the support of Mack Rhoades, President [Linda] Livingstone and the entire Baylor family, and we look forward to working together to bring more championships to Waco."

The Wildcats zeroed in on the Drew this week following news of Calipari's departure to take over the head coaching job at Arkansas. Kentucky's interest reached the point where Drew family members were seen exiting a private plane tied to a school donor in Lexington, Kentucky on Wednesday night before flying back to Texas.

According to ESPN, Drew spent a day thinking about his next move and that he would leave Baylor for only a handful of programs, which included Kentucky,

Drew's decision to stay at Baylor makes him the fourth high-profile current or former head coach to dismiss a potential move to Kentucky. Alabama head coach Nate Oats said he was staying at Alabama after the Crimson Tide made the Final Four for the first time. UConn head coach Dan Hurley laughed off any Kentucky connections after his team won its second straight national title and former Villanova coach Jay Wright has said he's not interested.

In 21 seasons at Baylor, Drew has compiled a 446-244 record, two Big 12 regular-season titles and three Big 12 Coach of the Year awards in addition to Baylor's national title three seasons ago. He is 17-9 in the NCAA tournament with Baylor and 12 players have gone on to become NBA Draft picks.

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