Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
Wright State head coach Billy Donlon recently told the the Dayton Daily News that he would’ve been more loyal to the Raiders basketball program had he been in Julius Mays’ shoes. Mays, of course, transferred to Kentucky for his senior season after two years — the first was a transfer year — at Wright State.
From the Dayton Daily News:
“I have no ill will toward Julius and I wish him great success at Kentucky,” Donlon said after a long pause and a careful choice of words. “He made a decision he thought was in his best interests. But what I struggle with is that I know what he was when he walked in the door here as a player.
“For two years — the year he sat (per NCAA transfer rules) and the year he played — this whole university put a lot of time and effort into him. The athletic department, the trainers because he had a major hip injury, the doctors, the coaching staff, the strength coach, they all gave him everything they could when he needed it.
“So, if I was in his shoes would I have made a different decision? Absolutely. I believe in loyalty.”
Coach Donlon may believe in loyalty, but he clearly doesn’t believe in playing for NCAA titles and chasing NBA dreams. If I’m in Mays’ shoes, not only would I need a couple extra pairs of socks, but I would’ve done the same thing and transferred to play for John Calipari. That’s a no-brainer.
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August 22nd, 2012 at 2:09 pm
get over it dude.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Let’s see how long Billy Donlon stays loyal to WSU.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:16 pm
since when has the “part of the USA Today Sports Media Group” been at the bottom of the KSR homepage? I just noticed it.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:20 pm
2 – such a brilliant point. Coaches act so pious about crap but would jump at the chance to move up into major college basketball conferences, the exceptions being Stevens and Smart. And there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s something wrong with characterizing players who would move schools to better their success and exposure as disloyal. How petty.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:21 pm
I’m from Dayton. Don’t pay any attention to anything the Dayton Daily News puts out. It’s worse than the Herald Leader.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:24 pm
#2 – another point is, How come Donlon didn’t question Mays’s loyalty when he transferred TO Wright State from NC State? He brought in a guy that showed none to NC State, don’t be surprised when he bails on you. #Karma
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:24 pm
4- how true. So I guess if Donlon gets an upper Div 1 coaching job, then all rest assured, he willt urn them down, right?
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:24 pm
We know 1 of the 100 coaches CBS has been talking to.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Its completely obvious now. John Calipari must’ve payed Julius Mays to come to Kentucky, what person in their right mind would use up resources for 2 years at a school with such tradition like Wright State, only to then transfer for his senior year to the defending NCAA Champions? Something smells fishy. Methinks Billy Donlon would be on the first plane to Lexington if UK came calling, but that will never happen. Sucks to be you, bro.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:33 pm
6- well, because when you are on the receiving end, it doesn’t count. For example, iu fans mad at recruit who just decommitted, only to be happy when they stole Gordon from Illinois.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Wright State must be a “Wright State first” type program.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Wow, I had no idea Wright State had a coach. I mean, sure, I figured they did – but you coulda told me his name was Elmer Fudd, and I woulda said, OK. Now, I can forget his name – much like most high school kids do that he recruits. Uh Coach, go win SOMETHING, and shut the hell up!
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:35 pm
#10 – Similar to the old…It’s my ball play by my rules or I’m going home. Either way it’s sour grapes but I understand….I wouldn’t be happy either.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:36 pm
13- right on the money.
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:37 pm
3 – a long time
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Did anyone else read his name as Billy Donovan at first? Haha
August 22nd, 2012 at 2:53 pm
He only came to UK because it offers a Master’s Degree program that Wright State does not. Co-incidentally we just also happen to have a basketball team.
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:03 pm
I’m assuming the coach is still working at the first ever job he had in high school since he believes in loyalty so much.
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:38 pm
WOW..Now we know one of the coaches for Jeff Goodman’s CBS poll! Only at UK can a situation like this be turned into a story like this, has espn picked it up yet? It’s called a transfer coach! It happens everywhere! Was this the first transfer he has had? NO..Did he do a story like this for the other transfer’s…NO! If the coach had Julius best interest in mind then he would be happy for him and then maybe he could say HE was the one who got Julius to that level, isn’t that what you would want for your player as a coach? Just a sore loser if you ask me, it happens at EVERY college COACH!
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Where’s the story on Walter Offutt? He was a transfer from Ohio St and came to WSU(so its ok for WSU to get transfer’s) and then transfered to New Mexico St. So where is the story about his loyalty???
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:56 pm
You mad bro?
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:01 pm
OK Drew, Julius is never going to play in the NBA so that argument is neither here nor there. Chase a championship? Maybe, but he could have done that at NC State. The bottom line is– when things get tough, Julius gets to transferring.
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@22 Just like there was no way harrelson would be in the nba?
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:37 pm
The kid just upped his career pay increase by millions simply by switching schools. It is what it is.
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:44 pm
So if this Coach was offered more money and a better opportunity else, he would not take it? He would stay loyal to his current employer? Ok, that makes sense.
That’s what I like about Coach Cal. He think of OTHERS before himself. He seeks to be a servant, to help bless others, and if they (like one of his assistants) chooses to move along, then he will not cry, but HELP them.
August 22nd, 2012 at 5:18 pm
What a hypocrite! The article mentions that he ran off 3 players from last years team because they were not good enough to play. That is some loyalty coach!
August 22nd, 2012 at 9:42 pm
@22 when Julius was at NC St., they only chased tournament births, they haven’t been in the title race in decades. This is the first year they are even close to contending.
August 23rd, 2012 at 1:23 pm
This coach is a selfish prick. If you care about a kid — and you’re a coach at Wright State — you gotta feel good that a kid is getting a chance to play at such a place like Kentucky. Why burn bridges with people you care about? Obviously he doesn’t care about Julius, he just cares about what Julius CAN DO FOR HIM.