At Home With Billy Gillispie

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Posted: 12:00 PM Oct 30, 2008
Last Updated: 11:17 AM Oct 31, 2008

45 comments

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In August of last year, Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie settled down in style in a $1.45 million dollar home in Jessamine County.

For the first time, Jennifer Nime Palumbo takes you inside the 12,000 square foot showplace off Harrodsburg Road.

The home, built by Isaac Construction, sits on a two-acre lot. It features 6 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, three half-baths and a gourmet kitchen that doesn't see much cooking.

The coach's favorite place in the house is the lower level where he likes to entertain his players. There is also a wet bar, wine cellar and exercise room.

The 48-year-old bachelor was married once for eight years and says he hasn't ruled out getting married again.

For now, his life revolves around his basketball family, but one day that may not be the only family in Billy Gillispie's life. He says he loves children and can see himself as a dad.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: melissa on Apr 13, 2009 at 08:52 PM
I also hopes he gets a great coaching job, rebuilds, and prospers. UK did him terrible but remember what goes around comes around. Not all women are after his money. I am one of them. I am young, educated, work full-time, no kids, and I would be a dedicated, supportive wife.

Posted by: LOVE TO BILLY on Apr 9, 2009 at 08:42 PM
Todd and Mitch should have been fired instead of Billy. They did not even give the man a chance. I hope billy finds another coaching position soon and does alot better than his time in KY.

Posted by: John Location: Southern Indiana on Mar 26, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Billy is the best thing to happen to Kentucky since Rick left for the pros. If Kentucky gets rid of Billy I would have to say that there will be a lot less Kentucky fans in this world. Kentucky has put this team through enough coachs and they need to leave it alone and let things run its coarse. I have complete faith in Billy and believe he can get a championship VERY soon! For the adminstration: This is your warning...DO GET RID OF THE BEST THING YOU HAVE GOING FOR YOU!!!!

Posted by: Johnny Location: S.E. Ky on Mar 13, 2009 at 03:05 PM
This has been a tuff season for the Cats and us fans. But I believe Coach G. can get it done. His heart is in the right place and he is a very very good coach and will lead the Cats to a Championship in the near future. Coach G. has had alot to deal with and it would be impossible for any other coach to come in and take over were he did and do much if any better . I want the Cats in the final Four as much as any other WildCat fan but it takes time . If at the end of next season the Cats are not in better shape then I may change my mind but untill then hang in there Coach Galispie, I still believe in you and our KY Wildcats

Posted by: QUESTION on Mar 7, 2009 at 05:24 PM
In the article it said that UK asst athletic director's wife meg smith helped him with the house. What does she look like?

Posted by: louise Location: frankfort ky on Feb 26, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Billy Gillespie guaranteed Patterson so many touches of the ball in every game as an incentive to attend ky. No wonder the other kids feel intimidated by Patterson,Meeks and Gillespie. I am no coach by far but I recognize scared kids.

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Berea, Ky on Feb 17, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I have went my whole 40 years of life bleeding blue like no other, it is my religion. Fans of Ky have a glint in there eye that we reconize in one another. BG does not have this in his eyes and I believe would sell us out for more money to any one who asked with nothing but a text message as he did A&M. Yes he may take us to a final four eventually, but only for himself. Not for the team, not for the fans..He needs to bleed blue like the rest of us and until he gets that transfusion and I see that light of UK basketball in his eyes, I will continue to be disappointed and long for the good ole days.

Posted by: DREAMER on Feb 2, 2009 at 06:57 PM
He can marry me if he wants. I am educated, work full-time, etc. I have no kids and we could start a family. He can support Obama if he wants that is his personal choice. I would take care of this man.

Posted by: Barbara Location: Flatwoods, KY on Jan 22, 2009 at 12:37 PM
It takes a smart coach to be a backer of Obama. Go Billy and Obama.

Posted by: Patty Location: KY on Jan 21, 2009 at 11:24 PM
I wish I hadn't read these posts. An Obama sign? I didn't need or want to know that!

Posted by: jan Location: KY on Jan 3, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Do you all really think that Billy reads this stuff. Ha, he don't have time so post all the comments but he will never, ever read.... dream on.....

Posted by: Lisa Location: El Paso on Dec 31, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Billy is a jack*** I can't wait for his karmagram to arrive...

Posted by: Couch Ken Location: Hazard on Dec 30, 2008 at 08:02 PM
Hey Billy, I know you won't disappoint Ky. My concern is you will be offered a job coaching a pro ball team in the future. Be careful showing off your assests (home)as the women will use you for your money and there are plenty of them everywhere. Look for a lady who is educated, has a good position, is sincere, caring and will be understanding and supportative, a loyal wife and a good mother to your children. Southeastern Ky is a good place to look. Good women over here and I know a good one who makes excellent money, lives in abeautiful home, is 44 and if I were single I would make her my challenge.

Posted by: elizabeth Location: versailles on Nov 30, 2008 at 07:08 PM
i can't believe you had a obama sign in your yard. but that's the only thing that i don't like about you. you are a great coach. i went to midnight maddness for the first time it was awsome. it was so neat to see you. and all the girls in ky is not only out for your money. there are some want someone to take care. whent they come home from a hard job. but any way i love you to.

Posted by: deanna Location: central city kt on Nov 16, 2008 at 04:33 AM
does anyone think billy looks like gary sinese aka leutinet dan in forest gump? capitalism is a good thing i get excited when people make it big. go billy

Posted by: Abby Location: Clay City on Nov 3, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Having an Obama sign in his front yard makes him and even better catch. GO BIG BLUE!

Posted by: Rachel on Nov 3, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Leave Billy G alone. He has done plenty of nice things for people since he has been here. Have you all forgotten about the women that needed to go to her fathers funeral and was selling her car for them money? Or that he gives money to charities all the time? Get off of his back, he works hard coaching the team.

Posted by: gobigblue Location: lex on Nov 3, 2008 at 01:42 AM
There is now an Obama sign in the front yard. Go Billy G!

Posted by: Louise Location: Frankfort on Nov 2, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Your house is super great. I've dreames of one like that. If I were forty years younger I would give you a run for your money and move my 12 kids in. Good Luck this year. GO BIG BLUE.

Posted by: fnord Location: Lexington on Nov 2, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Why is it that UK's president only earns about $160k while the rubber coach earns a few million per year? Where are there over 200 full ride sports scholarship and only a couple of dozen full ride academic scholarships given out by UK? It's not jealous in these negative comments -- it's reasonable to question why a non-academic gets paid 100 times more than an academic in a college.

Posted by: Abby Location: Clay City on Nov 2, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Billy, I'm on bended knee here-Will you marry me? I'm not after your money as Steve suggested. I just want to know what it feels like to have access to 8 bathrooms! To all the people making negative comments PA-LEEEEZE, you just sound jealous. Billy is king in our state and a king deserves his castle. I love you Billy, as do many others in this state. You are coaching the greatest basketball team in the nation. We love our wildcats and we love you. GO BIG BLUE!!!

Posted by: Della Location: 1936 Parkers Mill Rd. on Nov 2, 2008 at 08:16 AM
I think that Coach Gillespie's home is not out of reason comparing it to Coach Pitino's home and Coach Smith's home. He makes a great salary and your best investment is a nice home then you have lots of children to enjoy this home as well as a lovely wife and mother and I'm sure that won't be a problem for the coach. Get off his back!!!!!!

Posted by: Steve Location: Lexington on Nov 2, 2008 at 07:22 AM
Nice house, I agree it needs some nice shade trees in the yard. But I was shocked to see how much furniture he has. If I recall, he was gone recruiting for months after he bought the house, so he must've hired a nice decorator to fill the house with goodies. Very nice job. However, BG, you might want to learn to cook, you'd be surprised how much stress cooking for oneself (and others) sheds from your mind. I find it to be one of the ultimate "unwinding" tools that I have. Anyways, great house, hope you do great things with it, and hope you find a great wife to share it with and have children with. I will tell you though, you gotta stay away from the women in KY that approach you, they just want your money. You need to find one on a recruiting trip that don't know who you are because there are "girls" here in Central KY that will love you for your money and nothing more, and everyone knows you here. Someone who can put up with your being gone all the time and still be there 4U.

Posted by: Doyle Location: Lexington on Nov 1, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Read the comments. Can you sense the jealousy in each negative statement. He earns it. GO BIG BLUE

Posted by: Pat Location: Morehead on Nov 1, 2008 at 12:45 PM
I wish the real educators (teachers) could afford to live in a house like this one. I think that is the reason colleges and universities were founded, to get an education.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 1, 2008 at 11:39 AM
the comment about wanting children, come on Billy the girls you been "hanging" out with is young enough to be your kids..

Posted by: tommy Location: louisa, ky on Nov 1, 2008 at 07:16 AM
hey billy, if you ever build again an need a little private , move to lawrence co , plenty of hollers here for relaxing, go big blue

Posted by: Michelle Location: Corbin on Oct 31, 2008 at 11:28 PM
I wonder how many professors at the university are living in homes like that? You know, the people who are teaching, doing the thing that the university is actually there to do? Isn't it interesting how we disproportionately reward someone who teaches students to play a child's game? And yes, I know, the basketball program makes UK a lot of money. I guess it has to in order to keep up the coaches' lifestyles.

Posted by: Jon Location: Ky on Oct 31, 2008 at 09:07 PM
I dont think a coach or a ball player should get paid to play games.

Posted by: frank Location: georgetown on Oct 31, 2008 at 07:56 PM
adolph rupp would be so proud!!!! just knowing that ten loss tubby is gone and billy g's the new cat in town. you deserve that house coach, 12,000 square feet equals 1,000 sq feet for each girlfriend. lol. go get em' billy clyde

Posted by: Glen Location: Hustonville,Ky' on Oct 31, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Great story WKYT!It couldn`t happen to a nicer guy.BCG is a winner in my book!

Posted by: Eric Location: Versailles on Oct 31, 2008 at 03:49 PM
What a great video! Coach Gillispie seems like a great guy and a class act. GO BIG BLUE!!

Posted by: Connie Location: Lexington on Oct 31, 2008 at 03:33 PM
This is the best Billy Gillispie story I've seen yet! He is so great with his players and I think he would be a wonderful dad. GO CATS!

Posted by: Wallace Allen Location: North Carolina on Oct 31, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Posted by: Mohammed Location: Richmond on Oct 30, 2008 at 06:09 PM He will be another loser. -------------------------------- That was a post made by a loser. _________________________________________ BCG deserves to live in that house, he works just like everyone else; almost everyone. GO BIG BLUE!!!!!

Posted by: Tommy Location: South Lebanon, Ohio on Oct 31, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I think it is great that coach has a place to rest and relax, it looks like a great home. Maybe he will invite me to come by for lunch, I love Ky Basketball being as I am Raised in Clay County Ky

Posted by: Jason Smith Location: Danville on Oct 31, 2008 at 08:03 AM
That house is really very beautiful! Glad our coach bought that house.... I hope he would keep that house for long time... GO BIG BLUE!!!

Posted by: Mohammed Location: Richmond on Oct 30, 2008 at 06:09 PM
He will be another loser.

Posted by: Dan Location: Durham, NC on Oct 30, 2008 at 06:00 PM
You need to plant some trees, Billy!

Posted by: Jessica Location: Richmond on Oct 30, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Must be nice!! And he's 48 and wants kids? Buddy, you aint got much time left, better get looking for a wife. ;) Maybe he should be on that bachelor show? LOL

Posted by: Amanda Location: Georgetown on Oct 30, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Thanks for the great story. 27 has the best UK coverage, and you didn't disappoint with this one. Keep up the good work!

Posted by: Susan Location: Frankfort on Oct 30, 2008 at 02:27 PM
It is really interesting to see how far the coach has come from his days growing up in Texas. This interview makes me like him even more because he seems really down to earth. I love the Cats and can't wait until we win another national championship. Go Big Blue!!

Posted by: YO Location: G on Oct 30, 2008 at 01:19 PM
WKYT CRIBS PRESENTS: BILLY G'S PAD. WORD.

Posted by: Charlotte Location: Lexington, KY on Oct 30, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Why in the world does Billy Gillispie need a 12,000 sq foot house! ??

Posted by: Gene Location: Eastern KY on Oct 30, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Sure is uneven world. I have worked 42 years and must live in thirty year old mobile home. It is very uneven.

Posted by: KY FAN on Oct 30, 2008 at 12:55 PM
WHO CARES!!! Too much money for coaching a kid's game. I like my Cats but a house this size for one person is freakin ridiculous and the fact he has the money to pay for it from coaching a kid's game in COLLEGE is just totally outrageous. I know other coaches around the nation make big bucks as well and I feel it is outrageous for their salaries to be this high. Kids and parents are having trouble paying for college and this guy is making a gross amount for a salary. Yes I know, UK Athletics is self-sufficient but it's still a disgrace!