Billy Gillispie. SUE OGROCKI/AP
His Texas Tech Red Raiders had just made 15 baskets in a loss at Oklahoma. Fifteen baskets, 21 turnovers. Still, Billy Gillispie sat down for postgame interviews and giggled.
A "Seinfeld" episode was playing on a TV monitor in the back of the Lloyd Noble Center room. It's his favorite show, apparently, and he apologized in advance for being distracted during the Q and A.
It was great to see Gillispie laugh.
For the two previous hours, it was great to see Gillispie coach.
Before Tuesday night, the last time I had seen him in the LNC was last year. He was in the stands, still on coaching sabbatical in the aftermath of his Kentucky firing and the DUI that followed. He looked great then, said he felt great. He just wanted to be back on the bench, and the sooner the better.
Texas Tech gave Gillispie that chance, and he seized the offer like he attacks a scouting report. Didn't matter that he was inheriting a team that lacked both experience and talent, and that a rebuilding job might take years instead of days. To coach again, after what he had been through? Heck yeah.
Gillispie watched a lot of ball during his time off. He visited a lot of coaches, old friends like former Tulsa boss Bill Self, and new ones like Bob Stoops included. He also got help, thanks to outpatient treatment in John Lucas' renowned program.
You sensed he was writing a pretty encouraging story of personal, professional recovery. It seemed even likelier after Tuesday night's game, which he spent on the bench instead of in the stands.
Where he belongs.
-- Guerin Emig
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